Alumni Wall of Honor

Roger Ellis Alberty
John P. St. John Memorial High School Class of 1953

(Oct. 20, 1935 —               )

Before leaving his mark in the Pacific Northwest health care field, Roger was a standout high school athlete, club leader, avid scout and class president. He earned a psychology degree in 1957 from the University of Kansas and was a submarine officer in the United States Navy from 1957 to 1962. Roger earned his medical degree from the University of Kansas School of Medicine in 1968 and arrived in Portland later that year, where he eventually served as chief of surgery. In 2008, the Portland Clinic named its surgical outpatient center in Tigard after Alberty, in honor of his 30-year career in medicine. A member of the American College of Surgeons Board of Governors, Roger has written for many medical journals and helps others through the Alberty Fund for Surgical Education.

Patricia (Martin) Davis
John P. St. John Memorial High School Class of 1943

(June 6, 1925 — Oct. 16, 1992)

Pat spent most of her life in Olathe and had a lifelong commitment to making it a better place. She loved its citizens, its politics and its people. She married Delton "Dave" Davis in 1946 and eventually settled on Elm Street, across the street from her girlhood home. She organized the Olathe Follies, the first fundraiser to build Olathe's original hospital; was instrumental in getting the Mahaffie home (Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop) on the National Register of Historic Places; and was a founder of the Olathe Junior Service League. Pat was a National Republican Committeewoman and received the 1993 Citizen of the Year award from the Olathe Chamber of Commerce. Many Olatheans knew Pat because of her daily society column in the Olathe Daily News. "Patpourri" appeared in the paper approximately 20 years.

James Groszek
John P. St. John Memorial High School Class of 1948

(March 17, 1930 —           )

James was part of the 1948 medley relay state championship team, which was honored in 2010 at the “100 Years of Kansas High School Track and Field Championships”. After serving in the Marines for several years, and an additional 21 years in the Marine Corps Reserves stationed at the Olathe Naval Air Station, he retired as a master gunnery sergeant. Carpentry and cabinet-making was his career, working both independently and for Quality Wood Products. He helped Ivan Wicke and Hazel Hendrix organize many all-school reunions, and served chuck wagon dinners to hundreds of people. “He’s been a faithful friend to fellow alumni for more than 60 years and he’s always been an advocate for keeping the memories of special times at Olathe High School alive,” said his daughter, Susan Wolfe.

Cathy F. (Wollen) Maxwell
Olathe High School Class of 1971

(July 15, 1952 —             )

Cathy is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of historical romance novels. During high school, Cathy held leadership roles in yearbook, band, and drama. Cathy earned a bachelor’s degree in theater/communications from Washburn University and was a broadcast journalist in south central Kansas for a couple of years. She spent six years working in naval intelligence at the Pentagon. She also managed a watch factory and made costumes for local theater. Her first book, “All Things Beautiful,” was published in 1994 and nominated for numerous awards including Romance Writers of America’s RITA Award for Best First Book. Awards from Romantic Times magazine include: 1996 and 2007 Reviewers' Choice Award Winner - Historical Love and Laughter; 2004 Reviewers' Choice Award Winner - Historical Romance; 1999 Regency Historical Romance Award; and 2005 Historical Romance Award.

Ed Redinger
John P. St. John Memorial High School Class of 1941

(Aug. 25, 1924 —            )

After high school, Ed attended the University of Kansas before enlisting in the Army where he served as a topographical engineer (mapmaker) in England and northern France. After World War II, he and his wife came to Olathe and Ed returned to Burns Printing where he had worked during and after high school. He later purchased the local printing company, now operated by his son Alan, also an Olathe High School alum. Mayor Robert Manning appointed him to the first Board of Zoning Appeals, which he served on for more than a decade. His civic leadership included Johnson County Old Settlers, the Kiwanis, Optimists, Jaycees, chamber of commerce, and the Chur, Switzerland Sister Cities committee. In addition to being an active member of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars, Ed helped organize nearly 60 reunions of Army topographical engineers in the United States and in England.

Lee Shriver
John P. St. John Memorial High School Class of 1956

(Aug. 5, 1938 — March 5, 2011)

As a young boy, Lee spent time in his parents’ hardware store, greeting and getting to know the people of Olathe. He attended the University of Kansas and returned to Olathe where he worked 30 years as a postman. He knew people’s names when they recited their address. Lee’s second career was as assistant funeral director at W.L. Frye & Son Mortuary. Olathe’s history was Lee’s passion. He took photos of buildings that were slated for demolition so he could capture how Olathe used to look for future generations. For many years, on Old Settlers weekend, Lee showed his 800-plus slides of Olathe’s history at the funeral home. Many students in the Olathe district had the unique opportunity to see Olathe’s history through Lee’s slide shows.

Ivan Wicke
John P. St. John Memorial High School Class of 1954

(Feb. 7, 1936 —                  )

From a young age, Ivan learned valuable life lessons from his parents who were proprietors of a downtown Olathe business. He was active in many school sports, and that is where he learned the value of teamwork. Ivan served 16 years as a sergeant in the United States Marine Corps and as a sergeant first class in the Kansas National Guard. Over the next 33 years, Ivan served the community as a member of the Johnson County Sheriff’s Department before retiring as a lieutenant in charge of investigations for crimes against persons and property. Retirement gave Ivan the opportunity to volunteer with a variety of humanitarian service and community based organizations by traveling to areas struck by disaster. He assisted after Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans, and tornadoes struck Greensburg, Kan., and Joplin, Mo.

Cliff Ball
John P. St. John Memorial High School Class of 1945

(Jan. 20, 1928 —      )

After serving in the U.S. Navy aboard a minesweeper in the Western Pacific, Cliff enrolled at the University of Kansas. Upon graduation, he was hired by Hallmark Cards for its first management training program and later advanced to Division Director, responsible for Hallmark’s premier showplace stores at Disneyland, Disneyworld, and the award winning Hallmark Gallery at 56th Street and Fifth Avenue in New York City. Cliff served the First Presbyterian Church of Olathe as Sunday school teacher, deacon and elder, and was moderator of the Synod of Mid America, overseeing operations of more than 500 Presbyterian churches. In 1976, the Ball family received the Kansas Kiwanis Foundation’s “Family of Builders Award.” As the author of “Do You Remember When?” for the Johnson’s County Gazette, Cliff’s articles contained more than 1,400 historic items of interest to Olatheans.

Mary Jean (Davidson) Cochran
John P. St. John Memorial High School Class of 1941

(Sept. 25, 1923 —       )

Mary graduated with honors from high school, was chosen Outstanding 4-H Girl in Johnson County, and attended Kansas State Teachers College (now Emporia State University). Mary taught at Green Springs District #41, was secretary for the District #103 Countryside School Board, completed several classes with Emporia State Teacher’s College, and was an elementary school secretary for 29 years. In retirement, she has been involved with “living history” talks since 1989, Seniors Serving Schools Chorus, and sharing programs with the Learning Opportunities for Older Adults organization. Mary spent more than 41 years participating in the Oxford Hustlers 4-H Club as a community leader, mentor, and project leader. Her community involvement includes Johnson County Farm Bureau, Friends of the Olathe Public Library, Friends of Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop and Farmstead, Olathe Historical Society, Olathe Intergenerational Choir, and 60-plus years of service to the Presbyterian Church.

Greg Kincaid
Olathe High School Class of 1975

(March 30, 1957 —      )

Greg earned his undergraduate degree with honors from the University of Kansas and later graduated from KU’s School of Law. He is a fellow in the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and, as such, is recognized as one of the country's finest divorce lawyers. He is recognized by his peers as a Kansas Super Lawyer in the area of Family law. Greg helped start the Changing Lives through Literature Program and was chair of the Optimist Oratory Contest. He authored two novels: “Death Walk at Acoma,” (1991), and “A Dog Named Christmas,” (2008) and made into a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie in 2009. Greg is a longtime YouthFriend mentor to elementary students. In April 2010, he was one of four authors featured at the 16th annual Celebration of Reading, a fund-raising event sponsored by the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy.

Harma (Petersen) McKenzie
John P. St. John Memorial High School Class of 1941

(June 26, 1924 —       )

Graduating high school as one of the Highest Honor Students, Harma earned a scholarship to Ottawa University and graduated with more honors and a Bachelor of Arts degree. Harma combined her talents of speaking and writing and has spent more than 65 years giving back to the community. Her forte is leading workshops, volunteering, and presenting travelogues. In 1980, Harma was elected president of the American Baptist Women of the Central Region. In 1981, Harma was selected as one of 12 outstanding women of the American Baptist Women’s (ABW) Ministries of the Central Region. From 1983-87, she was on the National ABW Board. In 1993, she and her husband, Emory, received the Distinguished Service Award from the Alumni Association of Ottawa University for their work with Rotary, Harma’s involvement in the ABW Ministries, and her leadership in the Ottawa community.

Robert Manning
John P. St. John Memorial High School Class of 1938

(April 23, 1920 — Sept. 15, 2008)

After serving as a Navy pilot in World War II, Bob said it was the people that drew him back to Olathe. He was a banker for 18 years — making real estate and VA loans for many Olatheans — and later became a developer, retiring in 1984. He raised seven children, all of whom graduated from Olathe High School. He was a charter member and past president of the Olathe Noon Optimist Club and member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Knights of Columbus, and the Olathe Chamber of Commerce. He was city commissioner for four years and became Olathe’s 39th mayor in 1971. Bob helped organize the Olathe Little League and Babe Ruth Baseball programs and managed a team for 17 years. Through his work and commitment to the community, Bob became an integral part of Olathe and was instrumental in its early growth.

James Pellett
Olathe High School Class of 1898

(Jan. 20, 1880 — Dec. 15, 1942)

James was a stockholder and director in the Olathe Electric Light and Power Company. After serving as Olathe treasurer (1908-1912) and Board of Education secretary, James was elected as the 24th mayor of Olathe in 1913. (His father was Olathe’s first mayor in 1870.) During his three-year term, Olathe dedicated the Carnegie Public Library Building, the South water works plant was built, the city purchased its first motorized fire truck, and the Olathe Merchant’s Delivery was established. At the outbreak of World War I, James served as a major in the 7th Battalion (National Guard), headquartered in Olathe. They furnished military guard escorts for government aircraft that would land in the area, as well as funeral escorts for some of the men killed in combat.

G. Joseph Pierron Jr.
Olathe High School Class of 1964

(May 16, 1947 —       )

Prior to his appointment to the Kansas Court of Appeals in 1990, Joe was assistant county attorney and district attorney in Johnson County, a Spring Hill municipal judge, and an Olathe district judge. He is a charter member of the Alternative Dispute Resolution section of the Kansas Bar Association and former chair of the group’s Supreme Court committee. He has been an advocate for Kansas children almost 40 years, serving as president of the Committee for the Prevention of Child Abuse, board member of the Children’s Service League, chair of the Children and Youth Advocacy committee, chair of Kids Voting Kansas, and on the Commission on Children, Youth and Families, and the Central States Judicial Council on Child Support Enforcement. He has received numerous national and state awards, most recently the 2009 Boy’s State Governor’s Award for Outstanding Leadership, Public Service and Dedication to Youth.

Richie Pratt
Olathe High School Class of 1961

(April 1943 —      )

Direction from football coach Dick Martin and music director Warren George earned Richie a full football scholarship to the University of Kansas, where he studied music. He was a starting tackle, KU All-Time Letterman 1963-65, as well as a percussionist with the concert band and orchestra. Richie was drafted to play football for the New York Giants, but his career ended after a second-season injury. He then became a first-call percussionist and performed with the American Symphony Orchestra, the Joffrey Ballet, and Alvin Ailey. He also performed in several Broadway hits, including Raisin; and was the drum soloist in Broadway’s smashing tribute to Duke Ellington – Sophisticated Ladies. He has accompanied many jazz musicians, including Lionel Hampton and Benny Goodman, and played in a backup band for vocalists Nancy Wilson, Aretha Franklin, Barry White, the Temptations, and many others.

Lena Bell
Olathe High School Class of 1890

(March 1875 – Dec. 25, 1922)

Out of 20 applicants, Lena Bell was chosen as Olathe’s first librarian. Appointed in 1910, she established the library in two rooms at City Hall with 300-400 books. With a gift from the Carnegie Foundation, the new library opened with several thousand volumes on the shelves in February 1914. Bell’s library career was especially characterized by her work with children and with the women’s clubs’ program committees. During World War I, she worked with the Red Cross gathering reading material for the soldiers and helping with Liberty Bond drives. She presided over the library until her untimely death in 1922, at which time she willed her personal collection of more than 100 books to the library.

James Henry Brady
Olathe High School Class of 1880

(June 12, 1862 – Jan. 13, 1918)

James H. Brady was a dominant figure in the Republican Party in Idaho for several years. In 1900, he was appointed as a delegate to the Republican National Convention. He went on to serve as Idaho’s Governor from 1909-11. During his tenure, direct primaries were instituted, appropriations were secured for the initiation of the Idaho Children’s Home Finding and Aid Society (which is 101 years old and is currently called Children’s Home Society of Idaho), local option liquor laws were passed, Idaho’s sanitary and pure food department was advanced, and the Boise Chapter of National Council of Women Voters was organized. He served as U.S. senator from 1913 until his death in 1918. As a U.S. senator he was chairman of the Committee on National Banks. He was a member of the Committee on Disposition of Useless Executive Papers.

Dorothy (Brenner) Francis
John P. St. John Memorial High School Class of 1944

(Nov. 30, 1926 -         )

In 1948, Dorothy Brenner was the first woman at the University of Kansas to graduate with a bachelor of music degree with a major in trumpet. She was also the first woman from KU to travel with a professional dance band, The Ruth Coleman all-girl orchestra. Francis sold her first book, Adventures of Riverton Zoo, in 1966 and since then she has published 74 books for children and adults. Her writings cover many genres: short stories, picture books, children’s books, mysteries, romance, novels, and non-fiction. In 1982 and 1987 the Florida State Historical Society awarded two of her books, Captain Margana Mason and The Tomorrow Star the Charlton Tebeau Award for best children’s book. She won the Derringer Award in 1999 for the short story When in Rome as the best short story of the year.

Larry A. Haskin
John P. St. John Memorial High School Class of 1951

(Aug. 17, 1934 - March 24, 2005)

Larry Haskin identified himself as a teacher, geochemist, physical chemist, planetary scientist, and sometimes farmer. He devoted much of his distinguished career to studying the moon. His prestigious honors and awards include a Guggenheim Fellow at Max Planck Institute for Nuclear Physics, Heidelberg, Germany (1966-67); NASA Exceptional Scientific Achievement Award (1971); Ralph E. Morrow Distinguished University Professor (1986); Fellow, Meteoritical Society (1986); President, Geochemical Society (1987-89); Outstanding Faculty Member Award, Graduate School of Arts & Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis; and NASA Group Achievement Award, Mars Exploration Rover Science Operations Team. In 2005, a prominent ridge on the east side of the Husband Hill summit on Mars was named “Haskin Ridge” in his honor. On Jan. 22, 2009 he was bestowed another galactic honor with the naming of “Haskin Crater” on the moon.

Peter A. Martin
John P. St. John Memorial High School Class of 1950

(Oct. 12, 1932 -         )

Pete Martin’s perseverance for moving Olathe from a town to a city is evident in the list of accomplishments during his tenure as the 38th mayor of Olathe. He was president of his senior classes in high school and law school. A prominent trial lawyer, he served as Olathe city commissioner in 1967 and mayor from 1968-1970. During his tenure, Olathe expanded city boundaries from 9.7 square miles to more than 33 square miles, which allowed planning of infrastructure for inevitable growth; widened Santa Fe; helped initiate major city services; passed the first fair housing law in Johnson County; initiated a high rise for the elderly and low-income housing; and strove to affect urban renewal and implement a Model Cities Program. Martin moved to historic Village of Redstone, Colo., in 1984 and served as a commissioner and chair of the Pitkin County (Aspen) Planning and Zoning Commission from 1997-2004. He is currently serving as vice chair of the Redstone Historical Preservation Commission and president of non-profit Redstone Historical Society. He said he’s living the family slogan "Your community rent is never paid; it's a continuing obligation".

Lois (Mann) Taylor Roath
John P. St. Paul Memorial High School Class of 1944

(Jan. 26, 1926 – Sept. 17, 2006)

Lois Taylor Roath served as the City of Olathe’s first female mayor in 1985-86. She worked with her husband, Roy, who owned and operated Taylor Drug Store. She became interested in politics by attending town meetings, and became a city commissioner in 1983. At that time Olathe was under the City Commissioner form of government. In 1985, she was asked to become the first female mayor of Olathe; she accepted and was the 50th mayor for the city.

Don Temple
John P. St. John Memorial High School Class of 1945

(Aug. 19, 1927 -         )

Don Temple is a prominent entrepreneur and philanthropist in the Long Beach, Calif., area. He is an innovator in the development of the self-storage industry and was inducted into the “Wall of Fame” for the National Self Storage Association in September 2009. He has been credited with building the first ground-up, multi-story storage facility in the United States. He is an accomplished private pilot, participating with 21 planes in a 1992 “Around the World” flight in his twin-engine Cessna 421/C, landing by invitation in Moscow to become the first private plane pilot to land there after the overthrow of communism. His dedication and financial support established the Temple Family Cancer Center at Long Beach Community Hospital. He served in both World War II and Korea.

Don Ashlock Sr.
Olathe High School Class of 1919

(Feb. 7, 1902 - June 3, 1994)

He began working at Olathe State Bank following graduation. During World War I, he served as a major in the U.S. Army. After the war, he returned to Olathe and resumed his banking career. In 1927, Ashlock began operating the First Federal Savings and Loan Association at 110 E. Park St. The bank has now been in the family for three generations and is considered one of the longest continuing family operations in Olathe's history. Ashlock served as Olathe's 27th mayor from 1934 to 1940.

Marshall Ensor
Olathe High School Class of 1917

(Jan. 22, 1899 - Feb. 26, 1970)

After graduation, he taught Industrial Arts at Olathe High School. Except for a brief period during World War II, he taught there until he retired in 1965. Ensor was a pioneer in amateur "ham" radio and received the Paley Award in 1940, given by CBS President William Paley. During his teaching career, Ensor helped more than 10,000 listeners become proficient ham radio operators. The Ensor Park and Museum is located south of Olathe and houses Ensor's original ham radio station equipment.

James Flatley III
John P. St. John Memorial High School Class of 1951

(Jan. 9, 1934 -          )

He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in1956 and was a naval aviator until his retirement in 1987 as a rear admiral. In 1963, as a lieutenant, he made history by completing 21 C-130 Hercules landings on the USS Forrestal aircraft carrier. As a captain in 1980, he made history again by completing 1,500 carrier-arrested landings on the USS Saratoga, which he commanded.  During his distinguished career in the Navy, Flatley had numerous sea duty assignments, including flying F-4 Phantom combat missions in Vietnam.

Doug Knop
Olathe High School Class of 1965

(May 15, 1947 -      )

After setting the discus record in 1964 at Olathe High School, he went on to set the sport's record at the University of Kansas in 1970. He attended the university on an athletic scholarship and participated in football and track. He appeared on the cover of Track and Field News in 1970, and in three Sports Illustrated articles in 1969 and 1970. After college he returned to Olathe where he established an insurance agency and later a property tax consulting business. He served as an Olathe city commissioner from 1979-83, and was mayor in 1984.

Bob Millbern
John P. St. John Memorial High School Class of 1951

(July 1, 1933 -       )

He worked for John Deere Corporation for 30 years, 27 of which were spent in France where he started the European Training Center and served in numerous other capacities. He returned to Olathe in retirement and became involved in community affairs, concentrating on honoring Olathe's military veterans. As a military veteran, he chaired the committee that established the Veteran's Memorial Park and the Four Chaplains Memorial in Olathe. He is currently or has been involved in the Lions Club, American Legion, Olathe's 150^th Celebration Committee, Olathe's Downtown Enhancement Committee, and others.

Ernie Miller
Olathe High School Class of 1910

(March 23, 1891 - Nov. 6, 1966)

He was editor of the Olathe Mirror newspaper from 1939 to 1952, and authored its popular column titled "Dresser Drawer." His position as a journalist not only influenced public opinion, but also chronicled the community. He organized the Olathe Chamber of Commerce and served as its president. In 1964, the Olathe Chamber of Commerce named him the first "Mr. Olathe." The City of Olathe purchased 113 acres in western Olathe in 1966, and it was named the Ernie Miller Nature Center.

Maron (Lorimer) Moore
John P. St. John Memorial High School Class of 1934

(1916 -     )

She was a teacher and school administrator in Kansas City, Kansas for 40 years. When she retired, she became a tour guide at the Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop and Farm, and was instrumental in the farm acquiring its first stagecoach. She has been a supporter of the Good Samaritan Communities, and was a charter-member of the Multi-Year Giving Fellowship and Lifelong Learning Fund. Her financial gift for the Legacy Sculpture ensured a great birthday for Olathe's 150^th year. The City of Olathe honored her with a Community Pride Award in 2007.

Ned Rose
John P. St. John Memorial High School Class of 1942

(Nov. 28, 1923 - Jan. 22, 2008)

While serving in the U.S. Army in Europe during World War II, Staff Sgt. Rose was one of 857 in a division of more than 11,000 men who survived the Battle of the Bulge. He earned numerous medals and citations for his actions and bravery in combat including the Silver Star, two French Legion of Merit Medals, and the Belgium Legion of Merit Medal. Following the war, he served as owner and president of Rose Construction which was founded by his father in 1924.

Frances (Bucknell) Tainter
Olathe High School Class of 1922

(May 2, 1904 - Feb. 17, 2008)

She was the first certified teacher in Johnson County, and began teaching in a one-room schoolhouse in Monticello, near DeSoto. She later taught and served as interim principal at Central Elementary School in Olathe. She was the oldest member of the local Daughters of the American Revolution chapter, and Chapter FL of P.E.O, a philanthropic educational organization. She was active in the community and was the first woman to deliver Meals on Wheels in Olathe. She coordinated the U.S.O. program in Olathe during World War II.

Stanley T. Adams
John P. St. John Memorial High School Class of 1942

(May 9, 1922-April 19, 1999)

Master Sgt. Adams received the Congressional Medal of Honor for acts of bravery and heroism Feb. 4, 1951 near Sesim-ni (Korea) in the Korean War. He later reached the rank of lieutenant colonel in the Army.

(Photo courtesy of Olathe Public Library)

John Anderson Jr.
John P. St. John Memorial High School Class of 1935

(May 8, 1917-          )

He served as Kansas attorney general from 1956 to 1960 and was governor of the state from 1961 to 1965. Anderson and his family were the first occupants of Cedar Crest, the governor's residence in Topeka.

(Photo courtesy of Johnson County Museums)

Nanette (Hyer) Bohl
John P. St. John Memorial High School Class of 1947

(April 2, 1929-          )

She was one of the first Red Cross water safety instructors in Johnson County and she has supervised swimming classes since 1959. She and her husband, Ford, organized the first Olathe swim team (Amateur Athletic Union, now U.S. Swimming). In 1988, she began to swim competitively again and has won many medals.

Joyce Brown
Olathe High School Class of 1914

(unknown-December 1965)

After graduating from Kansas University in 1918, she taught school for 30 years, most of that time as a Latin and Spanish teacher at Olathe High School. She served as principal of OHS from 1936 to 1947 and was active in civic and community affairs.

(Photo courtesy of Olathe Public Library)

Herbert S. Hadley
Olathe High School Class of 1887

(Feb. 20, 1872-Dec. 1, 1927)

He served as Missouri attorney general from 1905 to 1909 and was the state's governor from 1909 to 1913. In 1923, he left his position as law professor at the University of Colorado to become the chancellor of Washington University in St. Louis, serving in that role for four years.

(Photo courtesy of the State Historical Society of Missouri)

Harley V. Haskin
John P. St. John Memorial High School Class of 1928

(Sept. 12, 1910-Jan. 16, 2008)

He was on the student committee which helped select the eagle as the school's mascot. He practiced law in Olathe from 1936 to 1981, serving as president of the Johnson County Bar Association in 1952, and county probate and juvenile judge from 1947 to 1953. During his years in Olathe, he served as legal counsel for the Olathe school board and Olathe Hospital, which he helped found. He served as a trustee for Baker University for 20 years, and was also president of the Olathe Rotary Club and chamber of commerce.

(Photo courtesy of Olathe Public Library)

Ella M. Mahaffie
Olathe High School Class of 1885

(Aug. 9, 1869-June 23, 1957)

She taught third and seventh grades at Central School in Olathe from 1889 to 1907. From 1907 to 1937, she served as teacher and administrator in Kansas City, Kansas. In 1913, she was appointed to the Kansas State Board of Education.

(Photo courtesy of Mahaffie House Farmstead)

Jesse Clyde (J.C.) Nichols
Olathe High School Class of 1897

(Aug. 23, 1880-Feb. 16, 1950)

He was a prominent commercial and residential real estate developer in Kansas City and his projects included the first suburban shopping center in the nation - the Country Club Plaza. He also served on the National Capital Park and Planning Commission, having been appointed by U.S. presidents Calvin Coolidge, Herbert Hoover and Franklin Roosevelt.

(Photo courtesy of the film "Community Builder: The Life & Legacy of J.C. Nichols")

Charles (Buddy) Rogers
Olathe High School Class of 1922

(Aug. 13, 1904-April 12, 1999)

After graduation, he studied at the University of Kansas where he took a screen test for Paramount Pictures. He starred in silent films including the Academy Award-winner "Wings" in 1927. A talented trombonist skilled on several other musical instruments, he performed with his own jazz band in motion pictures and on radio.

(Photo courtesy of Johnson County Museums)