Guest Editorial

Beginning this spring, in conjunction with Paynesville Area High School's annual honors banquet, the "Keep the Quality" Education Foundation will start recognizing distinguished alumni from our school.

We are seeking nominations from community members, high school graduates, teachers, administrators, parents, grandparents, spouses, siblings, and any others who know of Paynesville High School graduates who have distinguished themselves in their careers, by public service, or through other significant contributions to our society. Click here for nomination form.

Too often, we overlook the achievements and accomplishments of those "ordinary people" who grew up in our community and graduated from our school. In reality, there are many PHS alumni who have made a positive impact on our world through their contributions, their success, and their commitment to others. These are people of whom we can be proud, knowing that their origin and education started right here in our hometown.

Nominations of alumni should include the individual's name, current address, and current phone number if possible. We would like to know when they graduated from PHS and would also like a synopsis of their career and their life after graduation. In your own words, we would like to know of their accomplishments and why you believe they are deserving of a "Distinguished Alumni Award."

Nominations must be received by Wednesday, March 31. Nominations can be mailed to the "Keep the Quality" Distinguished Alumni Selection Committee at P.O. Box 187, Paynesville, MN 56362.

Winners will be announced in April and recognized at the honors banquet in May.

If you would like additional information about the "Distinguished Alumni Award," please contact any of the outstanding members of the "Keep the Quality" Education Foundation board: Jim and Denise Beckstrand, Kella Bugbee, Todd Burlingame, Mark Dingmann, Ann Friederichs, Mike Jacobson, Julie Jimenez, Gretchen O'Fallon, Terry Skoglund, Jeff and Julie Youngs, or myself.

Please take a moment to give some serious consideration to someone whom you believe is worthy of this distinguished award. Keep in mind that "great accomplishment" and "distinguished service" does not always equate to high visibility or traditional definitions of success. Everyone is a hero to someone...especially if they graduated from Paynesville High School.

Bugbee, Class of 1972, is the president of the "Keep the Quality" Education Foundation.