2000

Outstanding Alumni

Charles Digges, Sr.

• Pilot in World War II and Korean War
• President Rollins-Vandiver-Digges, Inc. Insurance Company
• Selected Outstanding Citizen of the Year 1985

Phillip LaZebnik

• Founded Harvard Premiere Society, a theater organization
• Writer/producer of over 20 musicals
• Television and film screenplay writer

Dr. Fredrick Robbins

• Received Nobel Prize in physiology and medicine
• Medical researcher whose work led to the Salk polio vaccine
• Faculty member Harvard Medical School

Dr. Hugh Stephenson

• Distinguished faculty member University of Missouri School of Medicine
• Medical researcher whose work led to the development of CPR
• 1996 appointed to University of Missouri Board of Curators

Retired Educators

Dr. Eliot Battle

• CPS Director of Guidance for 34 years
• Selected CPS Outstanding Administrator, 1995 Pioneer in Education Award
• Received 1999 Columbia Values Diversity Award

Conrad Stawski

• Language Arts and Humanities teacher 1951-1983
• President Missouri Association of Teachers of Allied Arts and Humanities
• Received University of Missouri’s Citation of Merit for exemplary service to Missouri’s youth

Mauree Taliaferro

• Served as CPS Coordinator of Libraries for 22 years
• Assisted in opening 16 elementary school libraries
• Original member of the Mark Twain Award Committee

Dr. O.V. Wheeler

• Principal of Ridgeway Elementary School 1963-1991
• Developed and implemented an IGE magnet school program
• Selected Missouri’s Distinguished Principal of the Year in 1985

Volunteers

Patsy Garner

• Member of the CPS Board of Education 1976-1989
• Led a study of local school programs and finance for League of Women Voters
• Volunteer coordinator at Ridgeway Elementary School

Elizabeth A. Schmidt

• Served 23 years as school volunteer
• Former PTA President
• Founded volunteer program at Grant Elementary School

Ellen Tinsley

• Initiated a volunteer teacher aide program at Grant Elementary School
• Served as school volunteer for many years

Rose Ward

• Assisted with hearing, vision and scoliosis screenings
• Designed and operated sports concession stand at Hickman High School