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Kevin Walker Named 2007 Inductee Webster Groves High School Wall of Fame
ST. LOUIS, MO - The Webster Groves School District has named Project Appleseed President, Kevin Walker, to the Webster Groves High School Wall of Fame. Mr. Walker, a 1979 graduate of WGHS, joins nine more alumni who will be honored in a ceremony at Greenbrier Country Club on November 2, 2007.
The Webster Groves High School graduates who will be inducted into the Wall of Fame include: Douglas H. Yaeger, Class of 1967, Chairman of the Board, Laclede Gas Company, Attorney John Fox Arnold, Class of 1955, Chairman of Lashly & Baer, P.C., James G. Martin, Class of 1976, former United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri, Ravenna Mosaic Company artist and owner Arno Heuduck, Class of 1935, Artist David Dunlop, Class of 1969. Also inducted this Fall: Julie Forsyth Gustafson, Class of 1954, Marian Miller Hamburg, Class of 1936, Marshall Magner, Class of 1932, and Peter Vesey, Class of 1963.
Mr. Walker is a leading advocate of public school parents in America. He was elected student body president of Webster Groves High School in 1978 and received the James T. Hixson award for Service. In 1992, he created Project Appleseed, the national campaign for public school improvement. Mr. Walker advised the Clinton White House and helped write groundbreaking school improvement and parental involvement legislation passed by the Missouri Legislature and the United States Congress. He was named by both Teacher magazine and Parenting magazine, as one of the ten most influential Americans who shaped education in the last decade of the 20th century. Mr. Walker shares the Parenting magazine award with United States Senator, Barbara Boxer (D. CA), and Wimbledon champion, Andre Agassi. In 2001 he was the reciepient of the Focus St. Louis "What's Right With The Region" award.
"It is an honor and a privledge to be recognized by Webster Groves High School. I learned the importance of good neighborhood public schools and community leadership while I was a student in this wonderful community. The academic excellence I was exposed to in Webster continues to guide me. I thank Russell Mitchell for nominating me, I thank our renowned Principal Pat Voss for mentoring me, and I will never be able to thank my family and Webster Groves enough," said Walker. He was nominated to the Wall of Fame by his friend, CBS News Anchor and Correspondent, Russ Mitchell, a 1978 graduate of WGHS and Wall of Fame inductee.
"From the time he was elected Student Body President at Webster to his successful, groundbreaking work with Project Appleseed Kevin has been a pioneer and an inspiration to many. Kevin is also an enthusiastic supporter of Webster. It is clear to everyone he meets that he is proud to be a product of Webster Groves High School," said Mr. Mitchell in New York City.
As part of Webster Groves High School's participation in the Renaissance Program, a "Wall of Fame" was established in 1989 to recognize the accomplishments of its graduates. To date, forty-eight alumni have been induced into the WGHS Wall of Fame including - Former CIA and FBI Director, William Webster, Class of 1941, hotel developer Donald Breckenridge, Class of 1949, NBC National News Correspondent, Bob Dotson, Class of 1964, author and National Book Award winner, Jonathan Franzen, Class of 1977, and CBS News Anchor and Correspondent, Russ Mitchell, Class of 1978.
To be considered for the Wall of Fame, candidates must:
- Have graduated from Webster Groves High School at least 10 years prior to nomination. Posthumous nominations are considered as well.
- Be evaluated on the significant contributions they have made to their respective field(s) and/or their significant contributions in the area of volunteerism.
- Be contacted to grant consent for consideration and to verify submitted data.
- Graduates are reviewed by a committee of alumni, administrators, and current faculty.
The Webster Groves School District has earned the state's highest "Distinction in Performance" award for their academic achievement and progress during the last school year (2005-06). The Distinction in Performance award is based on the 14 academic performance standards that are now used in the accreditation of K-12 school districts. Education has long been a priority within the Webster Groves School District. In fact, the organization of the Webster Groves School District predates the incorporation of the City of Webster Groves by 28 years. On August 25, 1868, a group of 21 citizens voted unanimously to organize a district. A census was taken a month later, and 255 school-aged children were found. Three teachers were chosen and classes began on October 11, 1869 in rooms rented from the Congregational Church. What has followed is more than 130 years of additional milestones and memories.
Since 1996
Member of the United States Department of Education
Partnership for Family Involvement In Education
