Park's Hall of Fame

*** Congratulations ***
2014 Park's Hall of Fame Inducts 2 from the Class of 1960

Susan Barna Cook

Class of 1960. Barna Cook graduated cum laude from University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1964 and completed her graduate studies at the University of Illinois in 1966. Cook worked in education for many years as a kindergarten, first-, fourth-, and fifth-grade teacher in the Racine Unified School District and as an early childhood specialist.

She has served as a member and vice-chair of the Downtown Racine Corp., helping raise thousands of dollars for the community through events like Festival of Trees.

She is currently a member of the board of directors for The Prairie School, but has also served on the boards for the YWCA, the Racine Heritage Museum and the Racine United Arts Council. Cook has also helped fundraising efforts for the Christmas House for Cancer and the Racine Zoological Society.

John R. Nickelsen

Class of 1960. Nickelsen graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1964 and earned his master’s degree in educational administration and supervision from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 1969. He began his career in education as an English teacher at Mitchell Junior High School in Racine, but moved into administration in 1983 as assistant principal at McKinley Middle School and served in the same position at Park High School. He later became the directing principal at Mitchell Middle School and ended his career at McKinley Middle School in the same role.

Nickelsen’s talents have taken him beyond the schools and into the field of broadcasting. He has hosted and produced at WGTD’s Jazz Channel as well as the popular local radio shows “Education Matters” and “At the Water’s Edge.”

Nickelsen has also been an important contributor to the local music scene as a booster for local band camps and as Racine Band Fest program announcer.

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2011 Inductees in Hall of Fame with Journal Times Article.

*Congratulations*

Two of our 1960 Classmates were inducted into
Park High's Hall of Fame
on Sunday June 5, 2011. They are:

William G Boehm and Lynn C Bratley.

Richard V Polzin Inducted 1998

Richard Polzin became a member of the Racine Police Department in 1964. By 1969, Mr Polzin advanced to the supervisory ranks where he held a series of increasingly responsible command positions, culminating with his appointment as Racine's Chief of Police in 1992.

Ann M Newman 1993

LaMonte Westmoreland

Inducted in 1986

LaMonte Westmoreland 1986

Born in Wisconsin, La Monte Westmoreland moved to California as a young adult to study art. After completing his studies, he received his MA and MFA in fine art. He redirected his focus from painting to collage and assemblage after experiencing his first African-American exhibition curated by the Brockman Gallery of Los Angeles. His intricate work is cultural, social, political and humorous. His works are meticulously crafted, sensitive statements that use painting, drawing, collage and assimilation with profound simplicity. La Monte has exhibited nationally in museums and galleries such as the Wustum Museum of Fine Art, WI and the Museum of Science & Industry, IL. Galleries include the Space Gallery, LA, Harcourt Contemporary Art Gallery, SF and the Jack Tilton Gallery, NYC. His work is found in national foundations such as California State University, the Museum of African-American Art and Mobil Oil Foundation. Private collectors include Laddie John Dill, Dr. Grady Harp, Mr. & Mrs. Alan Tanaka and Kent Twitchell. Numerous exhibition reviews and articles on La Monte’s work have appeared in the Los Angeles Times, Art in America, San Francisco Art Monthly, Afro-American Art, Artweek, Art Scene and other media venues.

Leo C Svitavsky Jerome Inducted 1986

Leo Jerome, an entrepreneur in automotive, real estate, insurance and financial fields employing over 600 people nationally with annual sales in excess of $200,000,000. Graduated Univeristy of Wisconsin, General Mortors Institute and Harvard School of Advanced Management. Mr. Jerome is active in civic, educational, political as well as business organizations. In 1986 he challenged the Hall of Fame members to give back to the school by starting and supporting a scholarship fund. The Hall of Fame Scholarship is given each year to two outstanding senior graduates. More than $15,000 in scholarship has been awarded to twenty-four graduating seniors.

Gary R Bolton Inducted 1983

Gary R Bolton was an Associate Professor of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University. Dr. bolton was a board certified internist and cardiologist noted as a pioneer in veterinary cardiology. He contributed as author or co-author to more than 30 scientific articles. He was recognized by students and colleagues as a distinquished teacher and a loyal friend.