Class of 1968
Alumni Liaison
Volume 11 | Number 4
Welcome to the July 2026 edition of Rise, the voice of Grand Island Senior High alumni and friends. It’s summertime so, as the song goes, we hope your living is easy.
As we do every other month, we landed in over 11,000 in-boxes today bringing you news, views, and memories of GISH. Rise is a publication of the Grand Island Public Schools Foundation.
This is Issue #4 of our 11th year of publishing the only consistent connection for alumni and friends of Grand Island Senior High. That makes this iteration 64 of Rise as we move smartly into another decade of bringing the comings and goings of Islander alums across the globe.
We sadly bid a fond farewell to Reagan Kort, who has been our eyes and ears in the halls of Grand Island Senior High for the past year as Rise’s On the Island correspondent. We wish her all the best. Please make time for her final column. We will be introducing a new On the Island correspondent in September’s Rise. Mike Monk’s Distant Mirror column brings us part two of his Hooray for Hollywood salute to his big screen favorites. Our intrepid and wandering writer, Sarah Kuta takes us to the top of Pike’s Peak, revealing some of the mountain’s history on the way.
From the Foundation office this issue Executive Director Kari Hooker-Leep reintroduces us to the year’s best and biggest soiree, Harvest, scheduled for September 24, while Administrative Development Associate, Mandy Sullivan reminds of the impact a gifted teacher can have on a student.
Finally, in I’ve Been Thinking, I do my best curmudgeonly take on my problems with firecrackers … with an explanation.
As usual, In Memoriam lists those Islanders who have passed. In Reunions we have class gatherings and other class get-togethers, and in Class Notes we have the lives and times of Islanders everywhere. And, once again, you’ll get a chance to test your memory -- or at least your Google search skills -- with another edition of Islander Trivia.
Stay in touch, Islanders. And remember: Keep pushing on.
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At the Top
George Ayoub shares the Islander Band’s journey to a historic national celebration.
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Making Your Mark
Kari Hooker-Leep reflects on the Harvest fundraiser, Grand Island's ultimate masterclass in collective generosity.
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Foundation Focus
Mandy Sullivan reflects on the teachers who shifted your trajectory and how you can honor them today.
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I've Been Thinking
George Ayoub ponders trading the 4th of July ka-boom for a quiet afternoon.
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On the Island
Reagan Kort reflects on a memorable high school journey while stepping confidently into a bright new chapter.
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Distant Mirror
Mike Monk traces his cinematic journey from Grand Island to Harvard and Hollywood in his part 2 article, celebrating classic films.
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A Wandering Writer's World
Sarah Kuta shares how a brief, 19th-century journey up Colorado’s Pikes Peak inspired an anthem that continues to captivate visitors today.
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Class Reunion Updates
Class gatherings in Islander Nation.
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In Memoriam
Remembering Islanders who have recently passed.
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Islander Trivia
How well do you know Grand Island Senior High?
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Tom Dinsdale -
At the Top
Islander Band Marchs in the Nation’s 250th Anniversary Celebration in Washington D.C.
About 80 members of the Grand Island Senior High marching band were part of the nation’s 250th anniversary celebration in Washington D.C. when they stepped out smartly as part of the Capitol Hill parade. The Islanders were originally scheduled to march in the National Independence Day parade, but inclement weather forced the cancellation of that event. Joining the Islanders and also representing Nebraska was the marching band from Bishop Neumann Catholic High School in Wahoo.
Two separate stories, one here from the Grand Island Public Schools and one here from Nebraska Public Media described the preparation in the run up to the Islanders journey to the nation’s Capitol.
Editor's note: Please be aware that both links were written before July 4.
Video of the Islander Band marching in the Capitol Hill parade courtesy of Fox 5 Washington DC.
Advance the video 36 minutes and you will have the Islander Band queued up.
(e) Mail Bag
Making Your Mark
Harvest Fundraiser the Ultimate Masterclass of Generosity
Class of 1983
Executive Director
GIPS Foundation
The story of the Grand Island Public Schools (GIPS) Foundation’s Harvest Event is a legendary community tradition—an exhilarating roller coaster of powerhouse fundraising, deep emotions, joyful celebration, and, of course, a highly anticipated, very welcome sugar high!
Spanning across the record-breaking milestones of the past and looking forward to the next big thrill in 2026, Harvest has become Grand Island's ultimate masterclass in collective generosity.
In September, as the sunset over the Riverside Golf Club signaled the beginning of the 4th Annual Harvest Event, the roller coaster officially took off. The air inside was charged with an electric mix of casual warmth, high-stakes philanthropy, and pure excitement. As guests mingled during the cocktail hour, they admired vibrant student artwork displayed near the entrance. These pieces weren't just decorations; they were visual windows into the very futures the room was there to fund.
2025 Heart of the Foundation Award to GISH alumni Ron Eakes and Dan Eakes
When speakers took the stage, the crowd strapped in as the true scope of the Foundation’s impact came into sharp focus. The community wasn't just planning for the future; they were celebrating a jaw-dropping year of 2025 milestones:
- $698,000+ awarded in life-changing scholarships to 79 students from the Class of 2025.
- 14 Classroom Grants totaling over $12,000, giving teachers the fuel to directly enrich the education of more than 6,000 students.
- $161,000+ in Legacy Grants, stepping in to provide critical funding for everything from mental health counseling and suicide prevention to basic necessities like school clothes, caps, and gowns.
The evening roller-coaster then climbed up and dipped down into moments of profound inspiration, pulling at everyone's heartstrings. First, the Foundation presented the 2025 Heart of the Foundation Award to GISH alumni Ron Eakes and Dan Eakes. As the trailblazing minds behind Eakes Office Solutions, the brothers were honored for an 80-year family legacy of unwavering belief in education, spanning massive scholarship contributions and vital support for the Trades industry through the Career Pathways Institute.
2025 Mission Moment featuring Brian Levander
Then came the "Mission Moment," featuring Brian Levander (Class of 1995). Brian stood before his hometown community and took the room on a deeply personal journey of overcoming adversity to become a successful business owner. His raw story beautifully illustrated how mentorship, resilience, and a GIPS education can completely sculpt a person's life path, inspiring the room to smash right through the evening's $10,000 scholarship fundraising goal.
Of course, it wouldn't be Harvest without a bit of chaotic fun! Just when the room was feeling beautifully sentimental, the track shifted straight into high-speed adrenaline for the infamous Dessert Dash. Strategy meetings commenced at every table. Fingers flew across phones as tables furiously pooled their bids, watching the live leaderboard shuffle in real-time.
Strategically chosen "dashers" stood poised at the edge of their seats, high heels were taken off and feet were ready to sprint in a friendly, chaotic territory war for the finest, most decadent sweets in Grand Island the second their table number was called. It was an unforgettable blur of laughter, purpose, profound kindness, and a well-deserved sugar high!
With the incredible momentum of last year’s triumphs shattering all previous fundraising records, the GIPS Foundation is already cultivating its next major milestone.
The 5th Annual Harvest Event is officially scheduled for Thursday, September 24, 2026, returning to the Riverside Golf Club for another unforgettable ride.
As the tireless Foundation staff and Harvest Committee work behind the scenes to lock in the 2026 Heart of the Foundation honorees and another inspiring Mission Moment speaker, the core vision remains simple and fierce: ALL STUDENTS MATTER. The high-energy live auctions, the competitive wonder of the Dessert Dash, and the community fellowship will all return to empower the next generation of GIPS students.
Secure Your Seats: Mark your calendars! Tickets for the 2026 Harvest event are on sale. You can purchase your individual tickets or reserve a table for your group directly online. Don’t wait to join Grand Island's biggest night of celebration, emotion, and purpose!
If you're going to live, leave a legacy. Make a mark on the world that can't be erased. - Maya Angelou
Foundation Focus
In the Light of Legends: Reflecting on the Teachers Who Made Us
Administration & Development Associate
GIPS Foundation
I’m sure many of you alumni can point to a specific desk, in a specific room at Grand Island Public Schools, where your trajectory shifted. That classroom where a teacher didn’t just look at a seating chart—they looked at you, the person. They saw your potential that hadn’t been discovered yet, stayed late to help you work through a difficult concept, and taught you that your voice actually mattered. We walk away from our graduation ceremonies with diplomas in hand, but the real foundation we carry into the world is built from the patience, grit, and brilliance of the educators who stood at the front of those rooms.
Working at the Grand Island Public Schools Foundation has given me a front-row seat to just how deeply this dedication runs. Beyond the lesson plans and the test scores, I get to see the impact of our teachers through a quieter, more profound lens: our Compassion Grant requests. These aren't asks for fancy tech or new textbooks; they are urgent, quiet pleas from concerned teachers who see their students not just as names on an attendance sheet, but as whole humans fighting battles that even some adults would struggle with.
Teacher of the Year awards at the 2025 Welcome Back event.
Every week, requests cross my desk that pull at the heartstrings. It’s a teacher asking for funding because a senior who worked so hard to graduate can’t afford their cap and gown. It’s an educator stepping up for a student whose family is in crisis after a parent lost their job, making sure they have basic living necessities. It’s a teacher noticing a student squinting at the board and realizing their glasses are broken with no means to replace them, or another making sure a child doesn't have to give up their passion because their band instrument needs a repair they can't afford.
These requests are proof that GIPS educators don't clock out when the bell rings. They are looking out for the kid who needs a lifeline, ensuring they are set up for success in everyday life just as much as in the classroom. When we talk about our Teacher of the Year honorees and our Legendary Educators, these are the fierce hearts behind those titles. They aren’t just teaching subjects—they are catching our students when they fall and building the safety nets that allow them to rise.
That lasting impact is exactly why the GIPS Foundation celebrates the people who pour so much of themselves into Grand Island’s students. Right now, we find ourselves at an intersection of legacy and the future. Through the Teacher of the Year Awards, we get to honor the educators who are sparking magic in the classroom today, bringing fresh energy and innovation to the current generation of Islanders. At the same time, the Legendary Educator Awards allows us to look back with deep gratitude at the titans who spent decades shaping the very culture of our schools.
Legendary Educator award at the 2024 Legends & Legacies event.
Do you have a former teacher whose lessons still echo in your mind, or who gave you the exact lifeline you needed when it mattered most? Now is your chance to give back to the legends who gave us so much. If there is a retired or long-serving GIPS educator who fundamentally shaped your trajectory, we want to hear their story. Nominations are now open for Legendary Educator and will close on October 31, 2026. Click here to nominate. Help us ensure that their decades of dedication are permanently etched into the history of Grand Island Public Schools. It only takes a few minutes to honor a lifetime of difference.
Whether they are a modern innovator or a foundational legend, these awards honor the exact same truth: great teachers change lives. And as RISE alumni, you are the living proof of their work.
Teacher of the Year winners will be announced at the Welcome Back event at Grand Island Senior High on August 5th, 2026.
Legendary Educator awards will be announced at the Legends and Legacies event at Riverside Golf Club on March 11th, 2027.
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I've Been Thinking
Aging Out of the Ka-Boom
Class of 1968
Alumni Liaison
Perhaps it was the hole in the Gearhart’s living room carpet. Or maybe it was the firecracker that hit the roof of our back porch and rang in our ears long after we welcomed in the New Year. Or maybe it was the bruised and bloodied digits of a childhood friend in whose hand a firecracker had exploded.
Whatever the reason, I aged out of firecrackers on the 4th a long time ago, preferring displays at a distance and cringing at explosions close by. For the record there is also plenty of cussing when the pyrotechnics keep me awake for hours several days in early July.
Yes, I’m that guy, a member in good standing of the get-off-my-lawn-with-your-Black-Cat-cherry-bomb-boomers brigade. But with an explanation, your honor … or a least a couple stories.
With me steadying the match and my close friend Mike Gearhart preparing to fling the Silver Salute we were attempting to throw out his front door, what could possibly go wrong? The fuse sizzled but the southpaw’s aim was off. He bounced the firecracker off the top of the door frame, so when we turned around, we could only duck for cover as it exploded in the middle of his living room. His mother came running from the kitchen to ask what had just happened. We were speechless, staring at the three foot circle of black, charred carpet, knowing that our 16 and 17 year-old lives as we knew them, were over.
About six months later, I had scored a legendary M-80, the perfect pyrotechnic to ring in the New Year, 1967. Curiously, my mother had wanted to do the honors, so just after midnight, she and I stepped outside onto our back porch, where, illuminated by the porchlight, we lit the ka-boomer. Once again, an errant toss that ricocheted off the porch roof brought the firecracker to a standstill at our feet. We jumped just as a thunderclap and bright light exploded below us. After we recovered from the blast, we were nearly overcome with the giggles, perhaps celebrating that we lived through the experience or perhaps because this was the second firecracker incident that had gone awry for me or perhaps because of the looks on the faces of family and friends huddled in the doorway wondering what had just happened.
Years before, in the parched field behind Blessed Sacrament Church, a group of us were lighting firecrackers when one went off prematurely in the hand of a buddy. He whimpered and showed us the damage, bleeding, bulging purples and crimsons stretching from his fingertips to his wrist. We all screamed and took off running to nowhere in particular, just somewhere away from the gore of his damaged hand. Hey, we were probably nine at most.
Those are my stories and I’m sticking to them. Truth is, I don’t hate firecrackers, as long as they are at a distance … and their purveyors close up shop before 11.
The city where I live allows only two days for fireworks, July 3-4. The complex where I live prohibits them on our property. None of which meant much to whoever set off a massive ka-boom shortly before 8 a.m. on July 3, shattering the peace on my patio where I sipped coffee and struggled with the New York Times crossword. The burst was, obviously, the work of someone not versed in the finer points of Rousseau's social contract theory. Or maybe it was a mistake.
Now that I understand.
On the Island
Here's to the Future
Class of 2026
Student Correspondent
Happy summer, readers of Rise. It is so nice to have the opportunity to write one last article for this special newsletter. In the weeks succeeding graduation, I have been filling my days with lots of relaxation, fun, and productivity. There is a lot to prepare for in the next chapter of my life, but in the midst of everything crazy, I can’t help looking back and feeling so much happiness when I remember my days at Grand Island Senior High. I remember in middle school when the thought of switching districts and making the transition to high school seemed so terrifying and yet so right. I am forever grateful to my past self for choosing GISH.
Senior Advanced Chorus members Alisea Sweet, Elizabeth Stoppkotte, Reagan Kort and Isabella Roe pose with their GISH Vocal Music Director and mentor, Jesse LaBrie.
When I remember my time as a high schooler, the biggest experience that pops out to me is my time as a member of the vocal music department. From show choir to chamber choir to the fall musical to being a selected member of the Nebraska All-State Chorus, music filled each and every season of my life. The remarkable friendships that I built through participation in the arts and teachers that I gained wisdom from stick out as the most meaningful parts of my high school experience. I speak in praise of the wonderful artistic opportunities presented to students at GISH whenever I get the chance.
Reagan Kort and Isabella Roe GISH Graduation 2026. Roe plans to study Psychology and Criminal Justice at the University of Nebraska Lincoln.
Beyond just the performing and fine arts, I am grateful for the strong sense of involvement that is encouraged to each Islander as they enter high school. My skills and memories would not be the same without activities I got to be a part of like FBLA, Hope Squad, DECA, and National Honor Society. It is so cool to watch the next generations step up into leadership roles within their chosen activities, and I wish every involved Islander luck in the future.
Looking forward, I am excited to share that I will be attending Colorado State University in the fall to study Business Administration with a concentration in Management and Innovation alongside a minor in Music. While packing up my whole life and moving almost 400 miles away is intimidating, I am excited to start this new chapter. There is so much in store for me in Colorado, and I am excited to return to Nebraska someday with lots of adventurous memories. My time spent exploring the possibilities for my future and gaining leadership skills “On the Island” have prepared me well to take on whatever challenges I face.
Ultimate Image performance "Survivor" themed show this year.
Throughout it all, what my time at GISH really taught me is that surrounding yourself with the right people and the right passions will take you far. High school is a formative time in everyone’s life, and meeting the right people while discovering what passions fit you the best is crucial. I am very lucky to have such incredible friends that I met during this time of my life, and I can’t wait to see where life takes us alongside each other. Beyond that, the connections that I made with teachers throughout the past four years have been extremely impactful. I hold their advice, wisdom, guidance, and example close to my heart and will use those lessons to lead me towards my future.
Most of all, thank you, readers, for sticking by and reading each piece that I wrote with my love for Grand Island Senior High in mind. Like I have said, there is truly something special “On the Island,” and I will forever be proud to call myself an Islander. Here’s to the future.
A Distant Mirror
Class of 1967
Rise Contributor
Hooray for Hollywood, Part 2
In the May issue of Rise, I looked back on the movie experiences I had growing up in Grand Island. Ah yes, the Grand, The Island, and the Capitol theatres.
My college days in Cambridge, Mass., and my life thereafter, however, opened up a whole new world of movies. I became acquainted with foreign films including French New Wave films by Jean-Luc Godard, Francois Truffaut, Claude Chabrol, and others. I joined my college buddies in seeing old classics like the Marx Brothers films and the Humphrey Bogart movies.
At Harvard, during the end of semester final exam period, a local theatre in Cambridge always held a Bogart Festival showing virtually all of his films: “To Have and to Have Not,” “The Big Sleep,” “The African Queen,” “Key Largo,” “The Maltese Falcon,” and the best movie of all time, “Casablanca.” When “Casablanca" was shown, the rowdy Cambridge student crowd would talk, boo the Nazis, and participate in the movie. In the dramatic scene where the Nazi Germans are singing a German song and Rick’s band plays the “La Marseillaise,” the French National Anthem, to drown them out, the student audience would stand and sing “La Marseillaise.”
During the five months we spend each year at our house in Santa Monica, Calif., we are blessed by being a half a mile from the historic Aero Theatre on Montana Avenue. Some years ago, the American Cinematheque refurbished and took over the theatre, where they now play classic old movies and some Oscar nominated new movies. They often have the director or an actor appear live at the screenings to talk about the film. We got to see and ask questions of Mike Judge, the brilliant creator of “Bevis and Butthead,” “King of the Hill,” and the movie “Office Space.” He admitted the character of Butthead was inspired by a high school classmate. My son James does a spot on imitation of Hank Hill, but was too shy to do it in front of Mike Judge.
In this single screen old time theatre, I have been able to see classics on the big screen including “Gone with the Wind,” “The Bridge on the River Kwai,” “Lawrence of Arabia,” “Casablanca,” “The Sound of Music,” “It’s a Wonderful Life,” and many more.
“The Sound of Music” is an all-time favorite. In 1967 the Grand Island YMCA-YWCA Inter-Club council sponsored a bus trip to Omaha to see “The Sound of Music” at an Omaha Cinerama. About 15 of us, with dates, were on the road trip, and we adored Fraulein Maria and Captain Von Trapp. That trip cemented that movie for me as a classic. Each year in Los Angeles, there is a “Sound of Music” sing-a-long held at the Hollywood Bowl. The movie is shown with subtitles and everyone sings along. It is a magnificent spectacle, since many in the crowd dress up in costumes from the movie. My family has gone twice. We went a couple years ago, and my daughter Susie dressed up as the Baroness, my wife Janet dressed as the Reverend Mother, and Hannah Hartman, the daughter of my cousin Randy Garroutte (GISH class of 1970) dressed as Fraulein Maria.
For many years, my daughter Susie would hold an Oscar party. Her friends and family would all dress up as a character in one of the nominated films. One year I went as Billy Elliot. We would also fill out our ballots guessing the winner in each category, with a prize for the most correct guesses.
Dressed up to attend the Hollywood Bowl "Sound of Music" sing-a-long.
While I prefer to see the great movies in a theater, I am most thankful for Turner Classic Movies. TCM continually shows classic, wonderful movies, many of which are rarely seen. Ben Mankiewicz and others provide terrific pre-movie facts and history about the movie to be shown.
I rejoice when I flip channels and see a black and white movie. This generally means it is a fine movie or it would not be shown so many years later. The older movies not only provide great drama, comedy, and stories, but they are glimpses into the past. They are historical documents. We see the clothes, houses, cars, and cities as they were decades ago. I am constantly struck by the more formal attire Americans used to wear, both rich and poor. In documentaries of old baseball games in the 1910 to 1940 period, the men uniformly wore suits and ties and hats. With the movies, I am never quite sure whether the more elegant clothes exist only since it is a movie, or whether the movies accurately reflect the dress of real people at that time.
My favorite Directors include:
Alfred Hitchcock: “Psycho,” “The Birds,” and “North by Northwest” are all fabulous. I have a particular love for his early movies made in England, including “Strangers on a Train,” “The 39 Steps,” and “The Lady Vanishes.”
The Coen Brothers: Their list of compelling movies includes “Fargo,” “No Country for Old Men,” “The Big Lebowski,” “A Serious Man,” and “Oh Brother Where Art Thou.”
Alexander Payne: The Omaha native directed the classic “Election,” “Sideways,” “The Holdovers,” “Nebraska,” “About Schmidt,” and “The Descendants,” all terrific films.
Quentin Tarantino: Tarantino has wowed me with two of my favorite movies, “Pulp Fiction” and “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.” His movies are violent and not for the delicate soul or the faint of heart. My son James and I were so entranced by “Pulp Fiction” (especially the non-linear manner in which the scenes occur), that we saw it three or four times in the theater. I must confess I found his movie “Inglourious Basterds" to be incredibly offensive and disrespectful of World War II patriots.
I also am a big fan of Frank Capra: “It’s a Wonderful Life”, Steven Spielberg: “Jaws,” “Close Encounters of the Third Kind,” “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” “E.T.,” “Jurassic Park,” “Saving Private Ryan,” and many more, and John Ford: “The Grapes of Wrath,” “How Green Was My Valley,” and “The Quiet Man."
My favorite movies include:
“Casablanca,” “It’s a Wonderful Life,” “The Sound of Music,” “Gone with the Wind,” “Pulp Fiction,” “North by Northwest,” “Groundhog Day,” “Fargo,” “Dr. Strangelove,” and of course, “Angels in the Outfield.”
My favorite actors include:
Cary Grant, Jimmy Stewart, Katherine Hepburn, Humphrey Bogart, Tom Hanks, Sir Laurence Olivier, Meryl Streep, Ingrid Bergman, Cate Blanchett, and Jack Nicholson.
The most riveting opening scenes:
“The Fugitive” and “Saving Private Ryan.” The initial train wreck in “The Fugitive" is incredibly powerful. When I saw it at a Santa Monica theater, the entire audience gasped in amazement. The beginning scene in “Saving Private Ryan,” showing the D Day landing, I think is perhaps the most realistic war scene in movie history.
The most romantic scenes:
My first is in “The Sound of Music,” when Captain Von Trapp joins Fraulein Maria to dance the traditional Landler Austrian folk dance. Cue the waterworks. My wife’s cousins would take bets on when their father would begin to cry when watching “The Sound of Music.” Most bet it would be during the opening credits showing the magnificent Alps. Similarly endearing is the scene in “Casablanca" where Bogart and Ingrid Bergman dance cheek to cheek in Paris.
I heartily say, “Hooray for Hollywood!”
A Wandering Writer's World
You Can Visit the Mountain That Inspired “America the Beautiful” More Than 130 Years Ago
Class of 2008
Rise Contributor
In the summer of 1893, Katharine Lee Bates rode a mule-drawn prairie wagon to the top of Pikes Peak—and the rest, as they say, is history.
The 33-year-old poet and professor was visiting Colorado Springs to teach an English course at the Colorado Summer School of Science, Philosophy, and Languages, hosted by Colorado College.
Miss Bates
Toward the end of her three-week stay in the Centennial State, Bates joined a group of fellow visiting faculty members on a fateful journey to the top of the towering, 14,115-foot-tall peak looming over town. When she returned from the high-elevation adventure, Bates sat down in her room at the historic Antlers Hotel and dashed off a patriotic poem called “America”—which later became “America the Beautiful.”
Bates spent just half an hour at the summit of Pikes Peak. But, despite the quick visit, she was deeply moved by the gorgeous landscapes she saw unfurling below. As she gazed east, Bates probably imagined the “amber waves of grain” growing in neighboring Kansas. And when she looked west, she saw the “purple mountain majesties” of the Rocky Mountains.
Thanks to Bates’ evocative words, first published in 1895 and refined over the ensuing years, Pikes Peak has become “America’s Mountain,” an iconic national symbol and a tribute to the West and the American spirit of exploration.
In 2026, the United States marks 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence and Colorado celebrates its 150th anniversary of statehood. During this milestone year, the mountain continues to inspire just as much awe as it did back in 1893, when a young professor stood at its summit and found the words that would become part of the American story.
What’s in a Name?
Pikes Peak is named after Zebulon Pike, the young lieutenant President Thomas Jefferson sent to explore the Louisiana Purchase. In November 1806, his expedition party tried to reach the summit of what he called “The Great Peak,” but was forced to turn back because of heavy snow.
But long before Pike and his men came along, however, the mountain already had a name. The Utes, who have inhabited Colorado since time immemorial, called it Ta-Wa-Ah-Gath, or “Sun Mountain Sitting Big.”
How to Experience Pikes Peak
Today, travelers can follow in Bates’ footsteps, ascending to the summit to experience the same expansive views that sparked the words of “America the Beautiful”—though, fortunately or unfortunately, mule-drawn prairie wagons are no longer an option.
Instead, you can hike, bike, drive the 19-mile paved Pikes Peak Highway, ride the Pikes Peak Shuttle or, my personal favorite, board the Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway. Built in 1891, the candy apple-red Cog has been ferrying passengers up and down the majestic mountain for more than 130 years—so taking the train is like experiencing another little slice of Pikes Peak history. It was recently modernized during a multi-year, $100 million renovation that wrapped up in 2021.
Plants, Animals, and Seasonal Changes
No matter which mode of transportation you choose, as you ascend to the summit, you’ll pass through numerous distinct “life zones,” each with its own unique plants and animals. In the Subalpine Zone, from 10,000 to 11,500 feet, for instance, you can see one of the oldest living species of trees, the Bristlecone pine. These high-alpine specialists—some of which are estimated to be more than 2,000 years old—have evolved to withstand the thinner air and low water found at such high elevations.
Aerial view of the 19-mile paved Pikes Peak Highway.
The scenery also varies by season, from the dainty wildflowers that emerge in the spring to the golden-yellow aspens that dazzle in the fall. Summer is the most popular season to visit Pikes Peak, with sunny skies and mostly mild temperatures (though even during the long, warm days of summer, you might still find snow at the summit). Winter brings its own kind of beauty, with the deep green trees standing out against a backdrop of pure-white snow. Winter also offers some of the best views from the summit, as the low humidity and snowfall decrease the amount of dust in the air.
Once you reach the top of the mountain, you’ll enjoy spectacular views of the landscape unfurling below. There’s also a new, eco-friendly visitor center filled with educational exhibits, ideal for taking refuge from the cold, blustery winds that nearly always blow at these elevations. If you’ve got a sweet tooth, order one of the famous Pikes Peak donuts, which are made from a special high-altitude recipe that’s so top-secret that employees have to sign a confidentiality agreement.
Experience a Key Piece of American History
Bates spent a short time atop Pikes Peak, yet those moments produced words that have endured for generations. Today, you can linger a little longer, soaking in the same sweeping vistas that stirred her imagination more than a century ago.
Standing at the summit, it's easy to understand how even a brief visit inspired words that continue to resonate. Whether you're drawn by its history, its scenery, or simply the chance to stand atop one of Colorado’s most iconic “fourteeners,” a visit to America's Mountain offers a meaningful way to connect with the past—and perhaps leave feeling inspired yourself.
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Alumni Reunions
Alumni Coordinator
kprice@gips.org
308.385.5525
Planning a class reunion?
We can help get you started!
Contact us for your class list and send us information about your reunion.
We will post it to our website.
NOTE: Reunion information in this newsletter is current as of the publication date. To see Reunion updates and additions go to our Alumni Reunions page.
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1956The Class of 1956 wishes to extend an invitation to fellow classmates to join them at their monthly gathering. They meet on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at Pam's Cafe on South Locust at 11:30 am.
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Decades of the 60'sThe Decades of the 60’s breakfast continues to be held the second Saturday of each month at IHOP, 8:30 a.m. This is a great opportunity to reconnect over a cup of coffee and/or breakfast. We would love to have you join us!
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1960The Class of 1960 meets the first Wednesday of each month at Tommy's Restaurant at 11 a.m. Join us for lively conversation and a good time. Send your email address to Donna Weaver Smith for monthly communications at: dowesm@yahoo.com
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1966Class of '66 meets for lunch on the third Wednesday of the month at noon with the place updated each month on our class Facebook page. Hope to see many friends attend!!
The 60th reunion for the Class of 1966 will be held on Sept 19, 2026 at the Grand Island Hotel / Casino from 6 pm - 11 pm. A block of rooms is being held for reservations ($179). Dinner will be served and there will be a cash bar. Contact Raynette (Webb) Martin for additional information. Approximate cost will be $50-$60/person.
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1967The class of 1967 meets monthly on the 4th Wednesday from 2:00-5:00 at Tommy's for chit-chat, pie, and coffee.
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1969The class of 1969 invites all classmates to our Monthly Luncheons. We meet the second Monday at noon of each month at The Finish Line at Fonner Park in Grand Island. Good Friends, Good Food, Good Times.
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1976The class of 1976 is exited to announce their 50th reunion to be held Saturday September 12, 2026 at the Full Circle Venue located at 220 W 3rd St, Grand Island. Informal gathering planned for the Friday evening before, MORE DETAILS to follow.
For questions, shares or update information contact:
Connie (Deitchler) Madison at madcon57@hotmail.com
Anita (Yunk) Lewandowski at anita.lewandowski@gmail.com -
1986Eighty six, eighty six, eighty eighty eighty SIX! Join us August 7-8 for our 40th class reunion. Friday we have have a golf tournament and then later Friday night join us for a bonfire, conversation, and games outside of town on the river. Saturday will include a tour of the High School and then a dinner Saturday evening. Please provide your contact info to the email below or reach out to request for info on the events.
Contact: gish1986reunion@gmail.com -
1996Please join our "GISH Class of 1996" Facebook page for Event links and to catch up with your classmates!
If you are not on Facebook and want more information about the events, please contact Jill Jakob Bonczynski at jilljakob@hotmail.com
Friday July 31, 2026 - Class gathering at Hear GI. Specifics as more details are available.
Saturday August 1, 2026 10am - 12pm tour of GISH and Memorial Stadium, 6:30pm Traveler's Tap Room
RSVPs are requested for Saturday August 1st - Traveler's Tap Room so that we can communicate with restaurant.
In Memoriam
May and June memorial list of GISH Alumni
Dianna (Wilson) Voss, class of 1966, died May 1, 2026, at the age of 78.
Carl Schubert, class of 1951, died May 5, 2026, at the age of 92.
Shirley (Schuette) Freeman, class of 1963, died May 8,2026, at the age of 81.
Tanner Cruse, class of 2019, died May 10, 2026, at the age of 25.
Larry Field, class of 1960, died May 12, 2026, in Fort Worth, TX, at the age of 83.
Margret (Martin) Cordes, class of 1958, died May 16, 2026, at the age of 86
William Olson, class of 1959, died May 22, 2026, at the age of 84.
Ardyne (Hayward) Allyn, class of 1959, died May 23, 2026, in North Platte, NE, at the age of 85.
Kevin Roenfeldt, class of 1986, died May 27, 2026, at the age of 59.
Marilyn (Kay) Beyersdorf, class of 1953, died June 1, 2026, in St. Paul, NE, at the age of 90.
Delores (Knuth) Brooks, class of 1951, died June 2, 2026, in Grand Island, NE, at the age of 93.
Sheila (Stobbe) Hein, class of 1975, died June 3, 2026, in Lincoln, NE, at the age of 68.
Jack Rasmussen, class of 1947, died June 4, 2026, at the age of 96.
Kirk Collamore, class of 1974, died June 16, 2026, at the age of 70.
Sandra (Hansen) Lewis, class of 1961, died June 17, 2026, in Grand Island, NE, at the age of 83.
Mark Luebke, class of 1967, died June 22, 2026, at the age of 76.
Donita (Baxter) Cone, class of 1965, died June 26, 2026, in Cedar Rapids, IA, at the age of 79.
Brett Darrough, class of 1992, died June 27, 2026, at the age of 52.
Michael Carpenter, class of 1981, died June 28, 2026, at the age of 63.
Glen Baker, class of 1967, died June 30, 2026, at the age of 77.
To report an alumni death since May 2026, please send an email with the first name, last name, class year and maiden name if applicable to alumni@gips.org
Class Notes
Rise wants to help you celebrate your successes with other Grand Island Senior High alumni and friends. “Class Notes” is the place to highlight a birth, an anniversary, a promotion, a college degree, an award, or other notable personal accomplishments and triumphs. Tell us about that new business. That perfect baby … or grandbaby. That Masters degree you earned after years of hard work. That recognition from your company, your cohorts, your community.
We are thrilled to welcome Lilly Goodwin to the GIPS Foundation Board.
Islander Trivia
How well do you know Grand Island Senior High?
Welcome to “Islander Trivia,” questions designed to send you to the deep recesses of your memory … or at least to your yearbooks, Facebook friends from high school or even Google.
Here is the trivia for this edition: Ah, yes, midsummer is upon us. Here’s to yours being a lazy and crazy one, to quote Nat King Cole. The marketing geniuses at Capitol Records released that single in May of 1963, just in time to have it blasting from car radios and transistors everywhere while young people lolled away the summer months or worked to afford college, a car, or a shiny pair of Bass Weejuns.
Know much about the other midsummer hits? This issue’s Islander Trivia is a matching test. Match the number song with the date. (Sources: Billboard, Your Hit Parade, music sales)
1. July 15, 2016 a. "How Do U Want It"/"California Love" by 2Pac w/K-Ci & JoJo
2. July 15, 2006 b. “Holding Back the Years" by Simply Red
3. July 15, 1996 c. "Hanky Panky" by Tommy James and the Shondells
4. July 15, 1986 d. "The Wayward Wind" by Gogi Grant
5. July 15, 1976 e. “Take My Heart" by Eddy Duchin
6. July 15, 1966 f. "One Dance" by Drake w/Wizkid and Kyla
7. July 15, 1956 g. "The Gypsy" by The Ink Spots
8. July 15, 1946 h. "Afternoon Delight" by the Starland Vocal Band
9. July 15, 1936 i. "Do I Make You Proud" by Taylor Hicks
Answers:
1. f.
2. i.
3. a.
4. b.
5. h.
6. c.
7. d.
8. g.
9. e.
Do you have a trivia suggestions for our next edition? We would love to hear from you!
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