Wall of Honor Inductees
Sublette High School
"Wall of Honor" Inductees
The Sublette High School’s “wall of honor” was created in the spring of 2001. The alumni presented the proposal to the principal, superintendent, and Unified School District # 374 Board of Education. With approval of those mentioned above, the “wall of honor” became the highest honor that Sublette High School can bestow on a graduate.
Nominations are accepted during the Spring with the only requirement being a nominee must have graduated from Sublette High School at least 20 years earlier.
Nomination forms are available March 1st to May 1st from Sublette High School. A selection committee of faculty, and Sublette High School alumni will select the individuals to be inducted. The ceremonies will take place in conjunction with the Fall homecoming festivities. A nomination remains active for three years. Alumni dues of $10 per year support the “wall of honor.
The Scarlet and the Gray
Other schools have different colors
And different emblems too
But the sons of glorious Sublette
To the Scarlet and Gray are true.
We love our blue eyed daisy
And the rising sun today;
The sons will e’re be faithful
To the Scarlet and the Gray.
Thru the four long years of study
We went our busy way
And we foster our ambitions
Which we hope to reach some day;
But still we have our pleasure,
And our games of skill display;
And we’ll fight for dear old Sublette
For the Scarlet and the Gray.
When in future years we’re thinking
Of the happy days gone by
And joys we had in singing
In the halls of Sublette High,
Our memories will remind us Of our studies
and our play, And the day we spent in Sublette
‘Neath the Scarlet and the Gray.
2001 Inductees
Cecil C. Baker
Class of 1924
Cecil Baker is honored for inspiring greatness in others. He is honored for his legacy—the influence he had on his students, athletes, and family. Cecil dedicated 19 years to students at Sublette Grade School as teacher, principal, and coach. Many of his students credit him as the person whose wisdom and encouragement helped them to be and to do their best. Cecil is also honored for working to improve his community as Fire Chief and by establishing Rotary in Sublette.
Cecil Baker is honored for inspiring greatness in others. He is honored for his legacy—the influence he had on his students, athletes, and family. Cecil dedicated 19 years to students at Sublette Grade School as teacher, principal, and coach. Many of his students credit him as the person whose wisdom and encouragement helped them to be and to do their best. Cecil is also honored for working to improve his community as Fire Chief and by establishing Rotary in Sublette.
Edward Hall
Class of 1937
Edward Hail is honored for his contributions to the economic growth of Haskell County. His involvement with the cattle industry led to the organization of three feed yards and several cattle-related businesses. Ed is also honored as one of the few athletes to letter in three sports on the college level and for many years service to his community through Sublette City Council. Grade School Board, and Rotary.
Eltrude Elliott Hall
Class of 1937
Eltrude Hall is honored for her role in preserving history. Her leadership and expertise helped to establish the Haskell County Historical Society. She has served the Society as a Board member and has donated pieces of history to display in the museum. Eltrude is also honored for her philanthropic work in the community and for contributing to the education. of youth by giving scholarships and donating her time.
Otto Schnellbacher
Class of 1941
Otto Schnellbacher is honored for his achievements in both college and professional sports. In addition to being a college All-American. he was a three-time All-Pro defensive back. Otto was inducted into the University of Kansas Sports Hall of Fame and was given the 2000 Distinguished Service Award. He has also received two Man of the Year awards.
Sharryl Holloway Davis
Class of 1961
Sharryl Davis is honored for her influence in the field of education. She has contributed her writing or management skills to the classroom by way of social studies textbooks for students and workshops for educators. Sharryl has also been involved in educational research that has adapted materials for visually impaired students and analyzed social studies teaching practices.
2002 Inductees
Jo Ellen Bale Androes
Class of 1948
Jo Ellen Androes is honored for her work on behalf of Alzheimer’s patients, particularly patients in Southwest Kansas. Jo wrote policies and procedures for established Alzheimer special care units that set the standard for nursing home procedures in Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Oklahoma. Jo has served several roles in organizations concerned with the welfare of Alzheimer’s disease. Jo has also been active in Kansas politics and the Back Yard peace Corps.
Jack Swartz
Class of 1951
Jack Swartz is honored for his leadership in business. He is credited with building the largest business association in the state of Nebraska. As president of the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce & Industry, he represented the Nebraska business community before state and federal governments as well as in foreign countries. Nebraska’s strong business climate is a legacy to Jack and to his skills in leadership and management. He was inducted into Nebraska’s Business Hall of Fame in 2000.
Dennis Elliott
Class of 1958
Dennis Elliott is honored for his world-wide work designing and implementing automated transit systems at airports and in urban applications. He co-founded and has served as president of Lea+Elliott, Inc., a company that specializes in automated transit systems. Lea+Elliott, Inc. has - ten offices in the U.S. and was selected as Arlington’s Outstanding Small Business in 1995. In addition, Dennis owns interests in several agribusinesses in Southwest Kansas as well as barbecue restaurants in Colorado.
Joe David Starke
Class of 1977
Joe David Starke, M.D.. is honored for his work in surgical oncology. He not only fights cancer in the operating room, but he has also fought cancer in the research laboratory. Joe David has taught surgery skills to students from Oklahoma to West Africa. While in Africa, Joe David served the Manna Mission Hospital in Teshie-Nungua, Accra, Ghana, West Africa. He currently is the American College of Surgeons Cancer Liaison and the Vice-Chair for the Department of Surgery at Boone Hospital Center.
2003 Inductees
Dorsey F. Elliott
Class of 1934
Dorsey Elliott is honored for his role in the development of Sublette. Dorsey’s work with the Sublette Agricultural Development (SAD) Corporation brought a John Deere dealership to Sublette, obtained land for Collingwood Grain, and established Sublette Feeders. Dorsey’s service on both the school board and his church board resulted in new buildings for Sublette High School and the United Methodist Church. Dorsey drilled one of the first irrigation wells in Haskell County, pioneered flood irrigation techniques, and maintained an award-winning herd of Shorthorn cattle. Honors bestowed on Dorsey include induction into the Washburn University Athletic Hall of Fame and Southwestern College’s Servant Leadership Award.
Beulah Kells Lucas
Class of 1951
Beulah Lucas is honored for her work with the Sublette American Legion Post 205. She led the way for the renovation of the Legion building, and she honored Haskell County veterans in a keepsake book that she wrote and compiled. She served as president of the Legion Auxiliary. Auxiliary honors include the 2001 Kansas Legion and Auxiliary Woman of the Year and the Department of Kansas’s Unit Member of the Year. Beulah regularly writes a newspaper column and is involved in countless activities and organizations in Haskell County. She was the inspiration behind the gazebo in the city park and the new banners on main street.
Kenneth Birney
Class of 1954
Kenneth Birney is honored for his contribution to the research and development of atomic power. Kenneth had over 35 years experience in the nuclear industry in the areas of analysis, design, and testing. He worked extensively with the control rods of an atomic reactor to develop the best way to control the rate of fission and to safeguard the reactor from going critical. His work gained him recognition both nationally and internationally. Kenneth’s work was also valuable to the U.S. government; he had Q clearance, the highest security level for top secret government work.
Ronald L.Burr
Class of 1959
Ronald Burr, Ph.D., is honored for his contribution to world peace. He has directed more than twenty international peace projects on six continents with the Religious Youth Service. He was awarded the Washington Times National Service Award for his international social service learning activities for peace. In addition, Ronald has written numerous scholarly publications, has edited the book Parallel Developments: A Comparative History of Ideas, has presented or organized many workshops, and has received more than a dozen grants. He serves as the Emeritus Professor of Philosophy and Religion at the University of Southern Mississippi.
2004 Inductees
Robert Orth
Class of 1953
Robert Orth is honored for his life-saving work with Emergency Medical Services. His EMS work began in 1976 when he completed the second EMT class offered in Kansas. After that Robert helped to establish an ambulance service in Sublette that was staffed with trained personnel. He then served as the director of that service for 26 years. In addition, Robert has trained tens of thousands of EMTs all over Kansas. In Sublette alone, Bob has worked with 103 EMTs, thirty of which are still active today.
Robert’s honors include the following: 1988 Kansas EMT Association Norman E. McSwain Award, 1995 Kansas EMT Association Lyle E. Eckhart Award, 1998 Kansas EMT Association Outstanding Instructor/Coordinator Award, 2002 Southwest Kansas EMS Council Irvin E. Powell Award, and 2004 Southwest Kansas EMS Council Lifetime Achievement Award of Appreciation.
Richard Duncan
Class of 1954
Richard is honored for excellence in education and in teaching. During his 37 year teaching career, Richard taught mathematics, biological science, and computer science. In fact, he was the first teacher with a computer and the first computer teacher at SHS. Richard’s excellence in teaching was recognized early in his career when he received the Jaycee s Outstanding Young Teacher Award
Richard’s circle of influence includes teachers as well as students. He served as chief negotiator for the Sublette Teacher’s Association. He was president of the local Teacher’s Association. He served on the State Teacher’s Association Salary Commission for 12 years and maintained membership in the State of Kansas Mathematics School Improvement Team.
James William Bailey
Class of 1957
James Bailey’s life is marked by his love for linguistics. Not only is he fluent in Spanish, but he has also studied Portuguese and French. As a highly successful instructor of Spanish, he enriched the lives of his students by influencing and teaching them to be bilingual. During his thirty-five years of teaching, he helped to prepare over five thousand junior and senior high school students for a world where speaking more than one language is an essential skill.
James’s work with Spanish didn’t stop with his study of the language; it expanded to serving Spanish speaking people as well. As a mission’s liaison for his church, he devoted his time and energy to establishing and developing a mission for the Mayan people of Southern Mexico.
2005 Inductees
Russell Winter
Class of 1939
Russell Winter influenced the banking industry on the local, state, and national levels. On the local level, he served with both The Haskell County State Bank and The State Bank of Satanta, where he was CEO for 38 years, and he was president of the Southwest Kansas Bankers Administration Institute. On the state level, he served as treasurer of the Kansas Bankers Association and was a member of the Kansas State Banking Board. On the national level, Russell served as the State Vice President for the American Bankers Association in Washington D.C.
Russell has worked in various roles in county government and on various community boards. He was instrumental in establishing Haskell County Grain and the Cimarron Valley Golf Course.
Russell is a 53-year member of the Masonic Lodge, currently a 32nd degree.
Kenneth Winter
Class of 1965
Kenneth Winter is honored for his design contributions to aviation and to national defense. As Research and Development Manager for Aeromet Corporation, Ken provided data gathering and monitoring platforms for the U.S. military. Aeromet holds the patent on one of Ken’s designs, a dropsonde delivery system that is necessary for the deployment of critical missile monitoring instrumentation.
Much of the data Ken helped gather was important to national defense. He worked with the U.S. Department of Defense in the final days of Operation Desert Shield in gathering data that was imperative in the strategic planning of Operation Desert Storm.
Ken’s remarkable talent earned him the nickname “The Chuck Yeager of Light Aircraft.” His homebuilt aircraft, the Vari Viggen, is one of only four that have been constructed and flown.
2006 Inductees
Walter Birney
Class of 1952
Walter Birney has been the coordinating force behind the National Missionary Convention for the past 40 years. Through this work he has helped to mobilize churches for world evangelism, to recruit new missionaries, and to encourage existing missionaries. Walter has helped motivate thousands of people to be involved in world evangelism.
His dedication to world evangelism began during his tenure at the Copeland Christian Church, where he served as pastor for 20 years. It was here that he vowed to do everything possible for one man to do for world evangelism.
In 1967 Walter agreed to coordinate the National Missionary Convention. He continued this part time work until 1985 when he became the full-time director. Under Walter‘s leadership, the convention has grow n in attendance from approximately 1 000 to 8000 people. One hundred seventy decisions for missionary service were made during the 2003 convention.
Jery Bailey
Class of 1961
Jery Bailey’s 40-year teaching career is distinguished by his commitment to help students make right decisions about their lives. Jery taught with the conviction that teaching must involve more than the telling of facts; it must also reach the hearts of the students in order to affect the students’ decisions and actions. Among his greatest accomplishments are his former students and the successes they have had in life.
To celebrate Sublette High School’s 60th anniversary, Jery and his 1980 College Prep English class recorded SHS history by publishing a two-volume set of booklets about SHS and her graduates.
During the 15 years that Jery served as USD #374’s Curriculum Coordinator, he helped set standards for teaching strategies, techniques, and assessments. Jery received the Jaycee’s Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award and was recognized by Kansas University for 40 years of continuous teaching in Kansas.
2007 Inductees
Marjorie Barton
Class of 1944
Marjorie Barton has been instrumental in bringing music to the world around her. From her childhood days when she began singing in the church choir until today, she has brightened the lives of others with her musical skills. She has composed’ and published over twenty songs. Each song was written to honor someone special.
Marjorie has been a member of the Order of the Easter Star for 58 years. During this time she served in many positions of leadership including Worthy Matron, Grand Soloist, Grand Chaplain, and Grand Conductress. Then in 1974, she was elected Worthy Grand Matron aver 411 chapters and 90,000 members.
During her term as Worthy Grand Matron, Marjorie chose Psalm 104:33 as her personal Scripture: “I will sing to the Lord all my life.; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.”
Marjorie’s passion for improving the lives of others has compelled her to work with numerous charitable endeavors. Thousands of copies ‘of her published compositions have been sold, and the proceeds donated to various charities. When she saw the need for a new piano at the St. James United Methodist Church, she raised the money to purchase one. From 1976 to 1979 she raised over $11,000for the Shriner’s Hospital.
Karolyn Kells
Class of 1965
Karolyn Kells, PH.D., RN., is honored for her influence on the nursing profession in. both academic and clinical work. Her research on the ability of blind people to detect obstacles in unfamiliar environments was presented in the Journal of Nursing Scholarship, a magazine that publishes research by some of the world’s leading nurses. Her research has also been published in Kansas Nurse. Karolyn has presented her research at nursing conferences both nationally and internationally.
As an Associate Professor in the Department of Nursing at Fort Hays State University, she coordinates the graduate nursing education track and baccalaureate outreach delivery. She has taught graduate and undergraduate nursing courses and has developed internet courses for both levels. She has clinical experience in medical, surgical, pediatrics, urology, coronary care, orthopedics, and psychiatric.
Karolyn’s awards include: Excellence in Nursing Education from the Nu Zeta Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau; Outstanding Online Teaching from the Colleague to Colleague Kansas Educational Organization; and Award of Excellence in Advising from Fort Hays State University.
Karolyn is a member of the Society of Rogerian Scholars, American Nursing Association, Sigma Theta Tau, Phi-Kappa-Phi and a past member of the North American Nursing Diagnosis Association.
2008 Inductees
Dr. Jean Hicks
Class of 1947
Dr. Hicks credits her fight for life as a child as a lifelong driving force for achievement and success. After graduating Valedictorian of her class in 1947, Gene went on to marry a successful Civil Engineer and followed her husband throughout Kansas and much of the world. She continued her education in her forties and achieved several degrees, including a Ph.D. Gene worked as a postal clerk/carrier, a newspaper reporter and an educator, becoming the first female Superintendent in a Kansas public school. Dr. Hicks spent the last part of her career as a researcher and authored several studies on the transportation industry. Gene considers her friends from school and childhood to be her greatest treasures.
Nancy Weeks
Class of 1966
Nancy Weeks, a 1966 graduate of Sublette High School, has spent much of her professional career serving the citizens of Haskell County. Since 1972, Nancy has worked in the Treasurer’s Office and has served as County Treasurer since 1974. During that time, Nancy has served in offices at both the state and national levels. In fact, she won an Outstanding Treasurer’s Award at the National Level. Nancy is recognized as a very active and influential person with the goal of helping Kansas taxpayers as well as a mentor to other County Treasurers. In her private life, Nancy is known as a dedicated Christian woman and a natural church leader. Among her church activities are church choir director, church musician, and the leader of a church ministry in jails, reaching out to people with shattered lives. She is an asset to her community.
Dr. Bill Hessman
Class of 1978
Bill Hessman graduated from Sublette High School in 1978 and earned his doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from Kansas State University in 1985. After achieving success as a young vet, Bill became the owner and operator of Haskell County Animal Hospital in Sublette in 1986, independently mixing animal practice and specializing in feed yard consulting. Dr. Hessman was able to pioneer the economic benefits of testing and removing bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) cattle from entering feedlots and developed a method for testing for BVDV. His company successfully tests cattle for the disease in Kansas, as well as in the nation. Dr. Hessman has authored many articles on bovine viral diarrhea virus, and he is considered a world expert on the subject. Bill is a prime example of the “local boy who has done well.”
2009 Inductees
Raymond Lee Bird
Class of 1922
Raymond Lee Bird was a. member of the third graduating class of Sublette High School in 1922. Following high school, he taught school at the New Moon School located southeast of Sublette. Raymond completed his education by graduating valedictorian of his class from Southwestern College at Winfield, Kansas. Mr. Bird had great musical talent and played the clarinet. beautifully. While at Southwestern College, Raymond’s musical instructor soon realized that Raymond was musically gifted, and so Raymond became the orchestra leader. He joined four other musicians to form a gospel band, and they traveled all over the. country, playing at churches. Raymond returned to the farm southeast of Sublette where he and his mother had homesteaded. Raymond was an innovator and inventor. He was one of the first to have electricity on his farm by using a wind charger and batteries, he was also one of the first farmers to have running water by using a motor pump jack. Raymond figured out a way to hook up multiple tractors to pull implements driven by only one man. One of his greatest inventions was to formulate a moving irrigation pipe system, making him the. first person in the area to employ such a system. Mr. Bird was an active member of the Sublette Methodist Church, and one of his most notable experiences was receiving the keys to the new church building because he was chairman of the board of trustees at that time. After a long illness, Raymond passed away in 1960. Before dying, Raymond accomplished one more first: he was the first person to have a bone marrow transplant in Boston, Though the surgeons pronounced the operation a success, it was performed too late, and Raymond died three days later from previous complications. Raymond’s contributions to his family, to his community, and to agriculture will long be remembered by those who knew him.
Dr. Uel Wayne Birney
Class of 1980
Wayne was born in Garden City, Kansas, but he spent most of his adult life living and working in Sublette, Kansas, Wayne attended Sublette schools and graduated from high school in the spring of 1980. In high school, Wayne proved to be an excellent student and a superior track athlete. He started college at Pratt Junior College on a track scholarship in the fall of 1980. Wayne transferred to Fort Hays college and finished the requirements to be accepted to Cleveland Chiropractic College in 1987. Wayne returned to his home town of Sublette in 1987, after successfully passing his state board exams. Dr. Birney opened a chiropractic business in Sublette in 1988, and he became certified in Diagnostics during his busy practice, In 1993 Wayne also purchased a chiropractic business in Garden City and practiced from both offices until he became ill. In December of 1983 Wayne married Julie Kennedy, and the couple raised three boys: Russel Trent, Kaleb Shane, and Derek Dalton. These boys proved to be the love of Wayne and Julie’s lives. Wayne loved children and coached athletics, taught at the Christian school, and worked with the recreation center and the public schools by coaching and mentoring young students and athletes. Wayne was an active and talented EMT from 1989 to 2006. He. served on the Sublette Hospital Board, and was a Sublette City Council member for eight years, serving as the Mayor of Sublette for two years. Despite his illness, Wayne volunteered for many positions and continued to aid people with illnesses and problems. Dr. Wayne Birney was greatly respected by his classmates and his community for his friendliness and his tenacity. No one who watched him in track could forget his barrel chest as he ran the quarter mile. Wayne died in January 2006 after a long and courageous fight with his illness, but he will not be forgotten for his love, compassion, and dedication to his family and his community.
Sublette High School Alumni Association dues for 2010 are now being accepted. The dues for one year are $10.00 per graduate or a life time membership for $300.00. Presently there are 26 life members.
Life Members are:
| Bernice (Kelman) Holloway | 1935 |
| Eltrude (Elliott) Hall | 1937 |
| Russell Winter | 1939 |
| Leona Ellseasser | 1941 |
| Vern Rutlegde | 1942 |
| Marie (Snavely) Kells | 1943 |
| Ruby (Snavely) Rutlegde | 1946 |
| Gene (Hether) Hicks | 1947 |
| Jack Swartz | 1951 |
| Robert Orth | 1953 |
| Pat Hefner | 1955 |
| Gladys (Bales) Wellbrock | 1957 |
| Sharryl (Holloway) Davis | 1961 |
| E. James Fritzgerald | 1962 |
| Peggy Thomas | 1965 |
| James Schnellbacher | 1966 |
| Carol (Odgers) Zimmerman | 1967 |
| Sterling Hall | 1971 |
| Kim Ricketts | 1972 |
| Rick Redd | 1972 |
| Dee Ann (Winter) Graham | 1973 |
| Les Powell | 1975 |
| Greggory Lower | 1978 |
| Nicki (Trimpa) McLain | 1978 |
| Jim Jury | 1980 |
| Heidi (Redd) Simmons | 1994 |
