Colonel Joshua McConkey, MD
2022 WALL OF FAME RECIPIENT
The Alliance Public Schools Foundation is proud to announce that the recipient of the 2022 Wall of Fame designation is bestowed upon Colonel Joshua McConkey, MD.
Josh grew up in Alliance, the son of Mike & Jane McConkey of Alliance and Brian & Lori Tegen of Renton, WA. Josh graduated from High School in 1996 and attended the RHOP program through Chadron State College and the University of Nebraska Medical Center graduating in 2003. While attending Medical School Josh enlisted in the Nebraska Army Reserves. Josh served as a Flight Surgeon and was the leader of the Critical Care Air Transport Team. He was deployed to Iraq in 2007 caring for both soldiers and civilians. Josh completed additional training at the War College after which he transferred to the Air Force Reserves and in 2019 was promoted to Colonel while serving at the Portland, OR base. During this time Josh attended to Vets at the Durham, SC and Hot Springs, SD VA Centers. He is currently based in Texas for his Air Force Reserves Military service.
Josh is certified and practices ER medicine throughout the US, New Zealand and Australia. He currently practices medicine for the Department of Defense in Lincoln, NE as a contractor doing virtual ER practice. He also serves the Alliance community as an ER Provider.
Josh has been awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Iraq Campaign Medal, and a Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon. He recently received a Quilt of Valor.
Josh and his wife, Elsa have three children and since returning from life in Australia, make their home in Apex, North Carolina.
Please join with me in congratulating this accomplished alumni of Alliance High School, Colonel Joshua McConkey, MD as the recipient of the 2022 Alliance Public Schools Foundation Wall of Fame designation.
Alliance Public Schools has provided its students with a quality education and a solid foundation from its faculty for many years.
The graduates have moved on and are making a huge impact in our world.
The Alliance Public Schools Foundation is providing an exciting opportunity for an Alliance High School graduate to be recognized and honored for outstanding accomplishments and service in their profession and community.
Josh grew up in Alliance, the son of Mike & Jane McConkey of Alliance and Brian & Lori Tegen of Renton, WA. Josh graduated from High School in 1996 and attended the RHOP program through Chadron State College and the University of Nebraska Medical Center graduating in 2003. While attending Medical School Josh enlisted in the Nebraska Army Reserves. Josh served as a Flight Surgeon and was the leader of the Critical Care Air Transport Team. He was deployed to Iraq in 2007 caring for both soldiers and civilians. Josh completed additional training at the War College after which he transferred to the Air Force Reserves and in 2019 was promoted to Colonel while serving at the Portland, OR base. During this time Josh attended to Vets at the Durham, SC and Hot Springs, SD VA Centers. He is currently based in Texas for his Air Force Reserves Military service.
Josh is certified and practices ER medicine throughout the US, New Zealand and Australia. He currently practices medicine for the Department of Defense in Lincoln, NE as a contractor doing virtual ER practice. He also serves the Alliance community as an ER Provider.
Josh has been awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Iraq Campaign Medal, and a Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon. He recently received a Quilt of Valor.
Josh and his wife, Elsa have three children and since returning from life in Australia, make their home in Apex, North Carolina.
Please join with me in congratulating this accomplished alumni of Alliance High School, Colonel Joshua McConkey, MD as the recipient of the 2022 Alliance Public Schools Foundation Wall of Fame designation.
Alliance Public Schools has provided its students with a quality education and a solid foundation from its faculty for many years.
The graduates have moved on and are making a huge impact in our world.
The Alliance Public Schools Foundation is providing an exciting opportunity for an Alliance High School graduate to be recognized and honored for outstanding accomplishments and service in their profession and community.
The Alliance Public Schools Foundation is very proud to announce that the 2021 Wall of Fame Recipient is Dr. Barbara J Lawrence Arnold.
A native of Alliance, Barbara graduated from Alliance High School in 1962. While in high school she was very active in numerous extracurricular activities. She was the Girls State Representative, participated in State Music Clinic and a UNL Regents winner. Aside from school she was part of the Camp Fire Girls Troup that attended the National Convention in New York City, and a member of the United Methodist Church.
She received her BA in Pre Med at the University of Nebraska, and began a career in medicine after graduation from the University of Colorado School of Medicine. At the University of Colorado Medical Center she specialized in ophthalmology during a three year residency. An additional year devoted exclusively to the treatment of diseases of the retina was completed in a fellowship study at the Good Samaritan Hospital and Devers Eye Clinic in Portland Oregon. Dr. Arnold is certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and a Fellow with the American Academy of Ophthalmology and American College of Surgeons.
She also served in the US Air Force Hospital, Suffolk England and earned the rank of Lt Col USAF Medical Corp, as a Flight Surgeon.
Dr. Arnold has been recognized on many levels for her participation in Professional and community organizations and her contributions to those organizations with various awards and accolades by her peers.
Although Barbara lives in California she still maintains a home in Alliance, and visits here on a regular basis. Her hobbies include running as exhibited by her participation in the Annual Heritage Days Road Run and her very generous financial donation to the Track Fund. She also is a very accomplished artist.
A reception to recognize and honor Dr. Arnold will be held on Thursday, June 9, 2022 from 3pm-5pm at the Knight Museum and Sandhills Center.
A native of Alliance, Barbara graduated from Alliance High School in 1962. While in high school she was very active in numerous extracurricular activities. She was the Girls State Representative, participated in State Music Clinic and a UNL Regents winner. Aside from school she was part of the Camp Fire Girls Troup that attended the National Convention in New York City, and a member of the United Methodist Church.
She received her BA in Pre Med at the University of Nebraska, and began a career in medicine after graduation from the University of Colorado School of Medicine. At the University of Colorado Medical Center she specialized in ophthalmology during a three year residency. An additional year devoted exclusively to the treatment of diseases of the retina was completed in a fellowship study at the Good Samaritan Hospital and Devers Eye Clinic in Portland Oregon. Dr. Arnold is certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and a Fellow with the American Academy of Ophthalmology and American College of Surgeons.
She also served in the US Air Force Hospital, Suffolk England and earned the rank of Lt Col USAF Medical Corp, as a Flight Surgeon.
Dr. Arnold has been recognized on many levels for her participation in Professional and community organizations and her contributions to those organizations with various awards and accolades by her peers.
Although Barbara lives in California she still maintains a home in Alliance, and visits here on a regular basis. Her hobbies include running as exhibited by her participation in the Annual Heritage Days Road Run and her very generous financial donation to the Track Fund. She also is a very accomplished artist.
A reception to recognize and honor Dr. Arnold will be held on Thursday, June 9, 2022 from 3pm-5pm at the Knight Museum and Sandhills Center.
The Alliance Public Schools Foundation is pleased to announce that James Andrew Emmanuel is the 2020 Wall of Fame recipient.
Born in Alliance on June 15, 1921. James found early jobs on farms and ranches, including working as what he called a “summertime cowboy” herding cattle on the ranch of Charlotte Worley. James graduated from Alliance High School as Valedictorian in 1939. After high school James held a series of odd jobs ranging from elevator operator, junkyard worker, and for a short time as a professional basketball player. He joined the Civil Conservation Corp and then at age 20 he joined the United States Army. He served as confidential secretary to the Assistant Inspector General of the U.S. Army, Brigadier General Benjamin O Davis, Sr., the nation’s first black general officer.
James received his undergraduate degree from Howard University in Washington D.C. He was earned his Masters Degree from Northwestern University and his PhD from Columbia University.
He taught at the City College of New York, where in the 1960’s he taught the college’s first class on African American poetry. He also taught at the University of Toulouse as a Fulbright scholar in 1968 – 1969. He later taught at the University of Grenoble and the University of Warsaw. From 1986 until his death on September 28, 2013, at the age of 92, he resided in Paris, France.
James was a published poet, scholar and critic. He published more than 300 poems and 13 individual books. He has been referred to as one of the best, most overlooked poets of his time. In addition to his poetry, he also edited the influential anthology of African American literature, “Dark Symphony: Negro Literature in America”. The Anthology published in 1968 by Free Press was one of the first major collections of African American writings. This anthology and James’ work as an educator heavily influenced the birth of the African American literature genre.
Born in Alliance on June 15, 1921. James found early jobs on farms and ranches, including working as what he called a “summertime cowboy” herding cattle on the ranch of Charlotte Worley. James graduated from Alliance High School as Valedictorian in 1939. After high school James held a series of odd jobs ranging from elevator operator, junkyard worker, and for a short time as a professional basketball player. He joined the Civil Conservation Corp and then at age 20 he joined the United States Army. He served as confidential secretary to the Assistant Inspector General of the U.S. Army, Brigadier General Benjamin O Davis, Sr., the nation’s first black general officer.
James received his undergraduate degree from Howard University in Washington D.C. He was earned his Masters Degree from Northwestern University and his PhD from Columbia University.
He taught at the City College of New York, where in the 1960’s he taught the college’s first class on African American poetry. He also taught at the University of Toulouse as a Fulbright scholar in 1968 – 1969. He later taught at the University of Grenoble and the University of Warsaw. From 1986 until his death on September 28, 2013, at the age of 92, he resided in Paris, France.
James was a published poet, scholar and critic. He published more than 300 poems and 13 individual books. He has been referred to as one of the best, most overlooked poets of his time. In addition to his poetry, he also edited the influential anthology of African American literature, “Dark Symphony: Negro Literature in America”. The Anthology published in 1968 by Free Press was one of the first major collections of African American writings. This anthology and James’ work as an educator heavily influenced the birth of the African American literature genre.
Stephanie Mantooth
2019 Wall of Fame Honoree
By ERICA CHIPPERFIELD
Alliance Times-Herald
Stephanie (Sutton) Mantooth, owner of Steph’s Studio in Alliance is the 2019 inductee onto the Alliance High School Wall of Fame. The award was presented to her at the Alliance Public Schools Foundation Fundraiser on April 27, 2019.
“I am humbled and honored to receive the award, it is an incredible honor,” Mantooth said. “The dark room inspired me to become a become a photographer. Growing up the old black and white photography dark room was fascinating. In upper grade school/middle school, I purchased my first dark room and processed photos in the bathroom at the house. They only other career I ever considered was veterinary and photography won out”, stated Mantooth.
Stephanie was very active in 4-H and FFA while growing up. She earned her FFA State Farmer Degree while in High School. Having won many 4-H county and state fair awards, including Large Animal Round Robin winner. She worked for Worley’s Studio, was very involved with Photography in Jr High and High School.
Stephanie graduated from Alliance High School in 1987. She attended Colorado Institute of Art in Denver, CO starting in August of 1987. She graduated with an Associate Degree of Occupational Studies in Program Photography on September, 15 1989.
Stephanie also worked as a freelance photographer for the BUSINESS FARMER. In 1991-1992 she worked with Canadian Livestock Professional Photographer, Walt Browarny.
Stephanie has served as the official photographer for the Box Butte County Fair since 2009. She has also been photographer for the Morrill County Fair. In the Fall of 1991, Stephanie opened Steph’s Studio in Alliance at third and Toluca. In March of 1994, she moved her Studio to it’s current location at 210 Box Butte. The Annual Tykes and Tots Contest has been a big part of Steph’s Studio since 1991. A portion of the session fees and all of the dollar votes from the contest are donated to the Alliance Kiwanas. Stephanie has been giving back to the community of Alliance by holding the Halloween Toy Exchange annually since 1994. She photographs each trick or treater in exchange for a toy and then they receive a 4x6” photo of themselves in costume. All of the collected toys are donated to Alliance Santa’s Helpers. Stephanie serves on the Carnegie Arts Board of Directors. She has been a member of Box Butte Art Society since 1996 and currently serves as Treasurer. Stephanie is an Alliance Chamber of Commerce member. She is also a big supporter by donating to local fundraiser, benefits, 4-H and school functions.
Stephanie is a Certified Professional Photographer. She received her Master of Photography Degree from PPA in January of 2009. She is only one of two to earn this degree in Western Nebraska (Glen Worley is the other). The Master of Photographer Degree is awarded after twenty-five merits have been earned, which can be from further education and/or scoring eighty points or more competition prints entered in Regional competitions. Three of Stephanie’s competition prints were accepted into the General & Loan Collection of the 117th International Exhibition of Professional Photographers. Other awards she has earned are 1st Place Child Portrait non-master in 4 state region, Judges Choice, Kodak Gallery Award-her work went on to the International level to compete for the Gallery Elite Award, Ed Arnold Award and Best Portrait of Show in Nebraska. Stephanie also received the Alliance Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year Award in 2010.
Her print “Frostbite” was published in PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER, in October 2004. She has had three of her prints published in the PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHERS OF AMERICA SHOWCASE books, “Daddies Little Angel” and “Innocence Holds onto Wisdom” Volume III-2000; “Junkyard Dogs” Volume IV-2001. Three of her prints were published in the PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHERS OF AMERICA LOAN COLLECTION Books, “Starting with St. Andrews” Volume V-2002; “Frostbite” Volume VI-2003; “I Know You’re There” Volume XI-2008.
Mantooth has already accomplished many of her goals for the studio. “The expansion was a huge goal and has been in the back of my mind ever since we moved the studio from 3rd street”, she stated. The addition to the studio, added a classroom, a bigger camera room and room for all of the scrap booking supplies offered. In the future the studio plans to offer more art classes focusing on adult and are hoping to also start a youth camera club. The goal over the summer is to start that.
When asked what advice she could offer current Alliance High School students to become successful in their future, she replied, “Don’t let anything limit you, anything is possible if you try hard enough. When I first started the studio, I can’t even tell you the amount of people that came in that said there is no way you are going to make it, I guess I’ve proved them wrong so far. It’s far more than I could have ever have imagined I would do.”
“I am humbled and honored to receive the award, it is an incredible honor,” Mantooth said. “The dark room inspired me to become a become a photographer. Growing up the old black and white photography dark room was fascinating. In upper grade school/middle school, I purchased my first dark room and processed photos in the bathroom at the house. They only other career I ever considered was veterinary and photography won out”, stated Mantooth.
Stephanie was very active in 4-H and FFA while growing up. She earned her FFA State Farmer Degree while in High School. Having won many 4-H county and state fair awards, including Large Animal Round Robin winner. She worked for Worley’s Studio, was very involved with Photography in Jr High and High School.
Stephanie graduated from Alliance High School in 1987. She attended Colorado Institute of Art in Denver, CO starting in August of 1987. She graduated with an Associate Degree of Occupational Studies in Program Photography on September, 15 1989.
Stephanie also worked as a freelance photographer for the BUSINESS FARMER. In 1991-1992 she worked with Canadian Livestock Professional Photographer, Walt Browarny.
Stephanie has served as the official photographer for the Box Butte County Fair since 2009. She has also been photographer for the Morrill County Fair. In the Fall of 1991, Stephanie opened Steph’s Studio in Alliance at third and Toluca. In March of 1994, she moved her Studio to it’s current location at 210 Box Butte. The Annual Tykes and Tots Contest has been a big part of Steph’s Studio since 1991. A portion of the session fees and all of the dollar votes from the contest are donated to the Alliance Kiwanas. Stephanie has been giving back to the community of Alliance by holding the Halloween Toy Exchange annually since 1994. She photographs each trick or treater in exchange for a toy and then they receive a 4x6” photo of themselves in costume. All of the collected toys are donated to Alliance Santa’s Helpers. Stephanie serves on the Carnegie Arts Board of Directors. She has been a member of Box Butte Art Society since 1996 and currently serves as Treasurer. Stephanie is an Alliance Chamber of Commerce member. She is also a big supporter by donating to local fundraiser, benefits, 4-H and school functions.
Stephanie is a Certified Professional Photographer. She received her Master of Photography Degree from PPA in January of 2009. She is only one of two to earn this degree in Western Nebraska (Glen Worley is the other). The Master of Photographer Degree is awarded after twenty-five merits have been earned, which can be from further education and/or scoring eighty points or more competition prints entered in Regional competitions. Three of Stephanie’s competition prints were accepted into the General & Loan Collection of the 117th International Exhibition of Professional Photographers. Other awards she has earned are 1st Place Child Portrait non-master in 4 state region, Judges Choice, Kodak Gallery Award-her work went on to the International level to compete for the Gallery Elite Award, Ed Arnold Award and Best Portrait of Show in Nebraska. Stephanie also received the Alliance Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year Award in 2010.
Her print “Frostbite” was published in PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER, in October 2004. She has had three of her prints published in the PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHERS OF AMERICA SHOWCASE books, “Daddies Little Angel” and “Innocence Holds onto Wisdom” Volume III-2000; “Junkyard Dogs” Volume IV-2001. Three of her prints were published in the PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHERS OF AMERICA LOAN COLLECTION Books, “Starting with St. Andrews” Volume V-2002; “Frostbite” Volume VI-2003; “I Know You’re There” Volume XI-2008.
Mantooth has already accomplished many of her goals for the studio. “The expansion was a huge goal and has been in the back of my mind ever since we moved the studio from 3rd street”, she stated. The addition to the studio, added a classroom, a bigger camera room and room for all of the scrap booking supplies offered. In the future the studio plans to offer more art classes focusing on adult and are hoping to also start a youth camera club. The goal over the summer is to start that.
When asked what advice she could offer current Alliance High School students to become successful in their future, she replied, “Don’t let anything limit you, anything is possible if you try hard enough. When I first started the studio, I can’t even tell you the amount of people that came in that said there is no way you are going to make it, I guess I’ve proved them wrong so far. It’s far more than I could have ever have imagined I would do.”
Bob Duryea has been selected as the 2018 Alliance Public Schools Foundation Wall of Fame recipient. Bob graduated from Alliance High School in 1952 and then from Chadron State College in 1956. In addition to graduating with a Bachelor's Degree in Education, he earned both a Master's and Specialist Degree from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln later in life.
Throughout Bob’s career he worked in many capacities in the educational realm which included superintendent, principal, coach, and teacher. In 1970, Bob was hired by the Alliance Public Schools as the Business Manager and maintained that position until his retirement in 1989.
After he retired from Alliance Public Schools, he graciously accepted the principal position at Saint Agnes Academy for one year when they were unable to find a worthy candidate.
While at APS, he served as President of the State Business Manager's Association. As the President of the State Business Manager’s Association in 1981, he felt the need for a project. The goal of the project was to teach and mentor future business managers and emphasize a new method of how to rescue and expand funds. In time, he invited others to become part of the project and everyone he asked was more than happy become involved; thus creating the Alliance Public Schools Foundation. Even up until his retirement he actively sought out community members and colleagues to be part of the foundation.
Bob has always been involved in his community and was a member of the United States Army. For many years he was an active lector and member of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church, American Legion, Elks, Eagles, and Secretary of the State Traveler’s Protection Agency for fifteen years as well as the President for two terms at the state level. Bob and his wife Joanie, who was also a pillar in Alliance’s educational community, were named Alliance’s Grand Marshals for the community’s Heritage Days celebration.
Bob has been and is an advocate for education and his lineage runs deep in Alliance Public schools. All three of his daughters graduated from Alliance public schools, as well as five grandkids. He also has great grandkids who either attend or will attend Alliance Public Schools.
Bob Duryea is a more than deserving recipient of this honor because of his dedication to education over the years, involvement in our community, financial foresight that made Alliance Public Schools a stable financial entity for many years, as well as being the founder of the Alliance Public Schools Foundation.
Mr. Wally Seiler
2017 Wall of Fame Honoree
Story written by Kyle Cummings and published in the Alliance Times Herald
2017 Wall of Fame Honoree
Story written by Kyle Cummings and published in the Alliance Times Herald
Wally Seiler -- a 1959 Alliance High School graduate -- was selected as the recipient to the fourth annual APS Foundation’s Wall of Fame.
Seiler, a University of Nebraska-Lincoln graduate, returned to Alliance as a trust officer for Bank of the West (formerly Guardian State Bank). His early community involvement included teaching swim lessons for the American Red Cross, and joining the Box Butte General Hospital Building Fund Committee. Over the years, he expanded his community services, reaching nearly every corner of Alliance.
He served on both the Alliance Public Library Board and Nebraska State Library Commission. He was, perhaps, the biggest reason Alliance had the largest DeMolay Chapter in the United States for many years as the Alliance DeMolay Chapter Dad for more than 35 years.
Seiler also became a 33rd degree Scottish Rite Mason -- the highest Scottish Rite recognition awarded for leadership and service.
He has been heavily involved in the Post Playhouse, currently involved as an actor and serving as the President of the Board.
Other foundations Seiler has joined include the Mari Sandoz Foundation, Snow Redfern Boys Ranch Foundation, Knight Museum Foundation, Scottish Rite Foundation, Slagle Scholarship Committee and Native American Scholarship Committee.
“I take great pride in having graduated from Alliance High School -- the class of 1959,” Seiler said. “A lot of the people from my class are still around, so it’s great to be part of that group."
Tom and Becky Brandt stood on stage together in front of hundreds attending graduation Sunday afternoon at Bulldog Stadium.
The last time the Brandt’s were on that stage -- 1972, receiving their high school diplomas from Alliance High School.
“It’s hard to imagine it was 44 years ago that Becky and I crossed this stage to receive our diplomas,” Tom said. “We were ready to set the world on fire.” “I know this is a cliché, but you get out of life what you put into it,” Becky said.
Tom and Becky certainly put plenty into their lives over the last six decades. So much so, the couple, which now live in Council Bluffs, Iowa, were honored at Alliance High School’s graduation, as the third inductees to the Alliance Public Schools Foundation Wall of Fame.
The APS Foundation Wall of Fame recipients will eventually be displayed just inside the main doors of the Performing Arts Center.
“Thank you so much for this honor,” Becky said. “Tom and I appreciate it and are very humbled.”
Though the Brandt’s have lived in a number of towns across the state and across the nation, the Class of 1972 couple never loosened their ties to Alliance High School.
The couple donated the inflatable Bulldog mascot to Alliance High School, donated a pitchers mound to the Oldtimers Baseball organization, routinely donate College World Series tickets to the Alliance Public Schools Foundation, and oftentimes donate Husker football tickets to be raffled off by any number of AHS organizations.
Tom and Becky have also given generously to the communities of Norfolk, Omaha and Council Bluffs, Iowa, during their time living there.
“Philanthropy is an essential trait of Midwest values,” Tom said. “Remember your roots and be generous to the community and school system that has given you so much.”
Yet Tom and Becky donated much more than money over the years. Becky is a founding chair on the American Heart Association Go Red For Women fundraiser. She was also a founding chair on the American Heart Association’s Red Dress Dash, and the Norfolk Arts Center Soup R’ Art fundraiser, which brings restaurants and artists together for a competition for best soup and art.
She served as the president of the Northeast Nebraska Medical Society from 2002-2009, started a cosmetic business in Omaha that grew over 200 consultants in six states and was awarded the sixth-largest dollar increase in the nation (1998).
Becky volunteers at Goodwill Industries, teaching classes to women on how to prepare for a job interview, and she is on the Live Auction Committee for SPREE (St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School).
Tom serves as the medical director for the ACLS program at Northeast Community College and the Escape Spa in Norfolk and is the director of cardiology at Methodist Jennie Edmundson.
He serves on the American Heart Association and is on the Board of Directors for the Link, Inc., an organization licensed by the Nebraska Department of Heath and Human Services, Division of Alcoholism, Drug Abuse & Addiction Services.
He’s the founding cardiologist of the Faith Regional CardioVascular Institute in Norfolk and served as Director of Cardiology for Scottsdale Healthcare/Osborne in 2000-2001.
Tom was presented with the American Heart Association’s “Sudden Death” award in 1976 for performing CPR on a gunshot victim at the Lincoln Hilton Hotel, and was honored as the “best of Omaha – Cardiologist” in 1996-97 and in 2009-10.
None of those accomplishments are possible, the couple explained Sunday, without the base of education and encouragement provided by Alliance High School.
“Whether it’s regarding your future academics or employment, give 100 percent. Find your passion in life and never forget where you came from,” Becky said. “Alliance High School has helped build your foundation as they did for Tom and me.”
“What I do know is that the teachers, staff and administration from APS have sought to provide you a core set of values and a basic fund of knowledge that when harnessed will allow you to follow your separate paths to success in the future,” Tom said.
The Brandt’s path has now led them into the APS Foundation’s Wall of Fame.
John Cover Named 2015 Alliance Public School Foundation Wall of Fame Recipient
John Cover, a life long resident of Alliance and a 1943 graduate of Alliance High School was recognized for his accomplishments both professionally and for his never ending commitment to the community.John and his late wife, Catherine had four boys, Mark, Greg, Tim and Mike. (All of whom were graduates of Alliance High School as well.) In addition John has numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren. John served in the Navy from 1943 – 1946. He attended the University of Nebraska before returning to Alliance to work in the family businesses. Cover Jones Motor Company opened in 1936 and John started very young by helping in the dealership by greasing and servicing cars. In addition to the car dealership, John was involved in the family’s cattle ranches east of Alliance.In 1949 John along with several other businessmen was instrumental in seeing that a brand new radio station KCOW was started. Throughout his life John has been very active in the community. He served on the Alliance School Board for 20 years, on the Box Butte General Hospital Board of Trustee for 20 years, and on the Box Butte Health Foundation Board of Directors. Cover Jones Motor Company has been a long standing member of the Alliance Chamber of Commerce. As well as being strong supporters of the Alliance Public Schools Foundation. John is a member of the St Matthews Episcopal Church of Alliance where even at age 89 he is still very active and involved with the church.
The presentation of the award will be made at the 2015 Alliance High School Commencement Ceremony.
2014 Wall of Fame Honoree
Randy York First Alliance Public Schools Foundation Wall of Fame Honoree |