Six top dogs honored in first award ceremony

Saturday, Sept. 24, six members of our community were recognized at OHS for their achievements in our schools.

The decision to recognize and honor those who have had a positive impact on our schools and community was an idea generated through Dena Boyd’s class, Iowa Then and Now. 

With our ongoing celebration of Ogden through this sesquicentennial year, students felt it would be good to bring community history to life by recognizing great people who have walked the hallways of Ogden’s schools. They may have been graduates of OHS, or they may have worked in or school system. 

The criteria for nominations and choosing was established, public was notified in June, and recommendations for the honor were to be received by August. At that time, an anonymous committee of community members and staff were gathered to select those to be recognized.

The inductees were celebrated with a coffee in OHS cafeteria, with the Hotel and Tourism Mangement class helping with the arrangements and festivities. This class is taught by Mrs. Abdel-Halim.

The celebration was moved to the auditorium for official introduction of the inductees, presentation of the awards, and a slideshow highlighting their contributions.

In the words of those being recognized, it was a good start to what will become a yearly event.

“This is a great honor, absolutely wonderful,” Mary Ellen Carlson said in accepting the award on her husband’s behalf.

“What, was nobody else in it? It must have been a short pool!” jokes Gary Paulsen.

“This is such a nice recognition of Larry. He enjoyed his time in Ogden and with the schools,” Jan Tryon.

“I’m honored to be asked to represent Lillian Kruse,” Julie Lampe says, “she was a great friend.”

Jesse Sundell says, “I was so taken aback. Compared to the influence the others have made, I am humbled to be a part of their group. I hope in my future endeavor to be so influential!”

Bob Morgan said with much gratitude, “This is quite an honor. I worked with good kids, we had good times and we worked together to create lots of memories. For all that athletics have done for our family, I was happy to give back.”

Boyd stated an awareness for the fact that there are many who are deserving of this recognition. She asks community members to look ahead to next year and be ready in June to recommend those who you feel are deserving.