Faces of Success - Cape Girardeau Public Schools

2010
Cape Girardeau
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Faces of Success
ING THE WAY TO EXCELLENCE
Faces of Success
Cape Girardeau Public Schools
1
Leading the Way to Excellence.
A history of success…
When the first public school in
Cape Girardeau opened in 1867,
the school district didn’t own
a single educational structure.
The first classes were conducted
in the basement of the
Presbyterian Church. Since that
date the city’s schools have
grown substantially—we now
We are proud of the fact
that more than half of all the
district’s graduates go on to fouryear colleges. Cape Girardeau
students are regularly recognized
as National Merit Scholars and
National Merit Semi-finalists.
Many of our programs—such as
music and art—are consistently
have ten campuses. What has
not changed is our unwavering
dedication to provide quality
education for all of the young
people of the community. Our
motto, “Leading the Way to
Excellence”, explains the purpose
of this brochure: to celebrate
the excellence of twelve
outstanding individuals who
received a substantial part of
their education within the Cape
Girardeau Public School System.
As we honor these twelve “Faces
of Success”, we seek to inspire
current and future students to a
similar or even greater level of
success.
Today, more than four
thousand students from
kindergarten through twelfth
grade are being educated within
the Cape Girardeau Public School
System. They are served by more
than 700 faculty and staff who
earned the Cape School District
the honor of “Distinction in
Performance” from the Missouri
Department of Elementary and
Secondary Education in 2009.
among the best in the state. Many
of our alumni become models of
success and leadership in their
chosen fields. Many achieve
national prominence, as can be
seen in the pages of this brochure.
Faces of Success provides an
opportunity to recognize our
exceptional alumni. We plan
this publication as an annual
celebration of distinguished
graduates of the Cape Girardeau,
Missouri, Public School System.
The twelve alumni recognized in
this first brochure were nominated
by residents of the community,
with final selection made by
a steering committee of ten
individuals. Please refer to the
nomination information on the
back of this brochure if you would
like to recommend an alumnus
of Cape Girardeau Public School
System for inclusion in the next
edition of Faces of Success.
Sincerely,
James Welker
Superintendent of Schools
Jeannie Hirsch
Blaylock
Television Journalist
Emmy and Peabody Awards
Recipient
Since graduating valedictorian from
Cape Central High School with a
perfect 4.0 GPA, Jeannie Hirsh Blaylock
has won 16 Emmys, the Edward R.
Murrow Award, numerous Associated
Press awards, community leadership awards, and the equivalent in
broadcast to the Pulitzer Prize, the Peabody Award.
An anchor and reporter for the NBC and ABC television affiliate in
Jacksonville, Florida, she won the prestigious Peabody Award for her
creation of Buddy Check 12, a program for early detection of breast
cancer. She started the project with her mother in Cape Girardeau
after Jeannie’s close friend, a fellow Cape Central graduate, died of
breast cancer. Since the program started 17 years ago, Buddy Check
has been copied in dozens of cities and nations around the globe.
In 2008 Jeannie started the Mammogram Hotline and rallied her
community to donate more than $90,000 to kick off the project,
which received more than 2,000 calls in its first year.
Jeannie launched other innovative programs to fight high
cholesterol, obesity, testicular cancer, smoking, drug use, prejudice
and other social issues. The Girl Born Without a Face, a story that
went around the globe on the Internet, inspired several Discovery
Channel documentaries. Programs like T-Check, Not My Kid, I Can
Quit… No Problem, and Kutting for Kids all carry the brand of Jeannie
Hirsch Blaylock. (You can see Jeannie’s stories on her TV station’s
website, firstcoastnews.com)
Jeannie moved to Cape Girardeau at a young age with her
parents, Jim and Beverly Hirsch. Her dad, also an alumnus,
served on the Cape Girardeau Board of Education. Her deceased
grandparents, Oscar and Geraldine Hirsch, “are powerful and
wonderful influences in my life to this day,” she says. “I truly believe
my years at Central High School provided a solid base for my career.
My English teacher, Mary Ellen Sharp, was a stickler for grammar and
sentence structure, and that’s been invaluable.” Jeannie won two of
her Emmy’s in the writing category, and every day her job relies on
effective communication.
“Cape Public Schools—together with my parents—kicked off a
love of learning for me,” she continues. At Cape Central, Jeannie’s
activities and honors included Student Council, editor of the
Girardot, National Honor Society, Pep Club, Spanish Club, Band, and
recipient of the American Legion Award, Yearbook, Math, English
and Art Awards. “I’m honored to be a part of Faces of Success,” she
writes. “What a great idea to inspire students and let them know
that Cape Girardeau Public Schools are an excellent foundation for
their career success.”
Alumni '78
4 Cape Girardeau Public Schools
Lieutenant Marquis
Allen Brookins
Pastor and Corps Leader,
Salvation Army–Arnold, Missouri
Throughout his high school
career, Marquis Brookins was an
honor student who participated
enthusiastically in a variety of
activities, including speech and
debate, vocal music, football, and
track and field. Reliable and competent, he earned awards and
recognition in each activity. Early on he made a commitment to
do everything he could to be a good role model and to be helpful
to all with whom he came in contact.
Alumni '02
“I was well-prepared for college
after graduation from Cape
Central in 2002.”
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“I had many wonderful experiences at Cape Public Schools
that put me on a path to success,” Lt. Brookins says. “I was
well-prepared for college after graduation from Cape Central
in 2002.” Brookins earned a degree in General Studies in 2005
from Southeast Missouri State University. That same year he
married Twyla Joy Gauthier, his high school sweetheart, and the
couple moved to Chicago to attend the
Salvation Army’s College for Officer
Training. Upon graduation they were
commissioned Lieutenants and were
ordained ministers in the Salvation
Army. They relocated to Arnold,
Missouri, where they served as
Pastor and Corps Leader for the
Salvation Army for two years.
Lt. Brookins is presently pursuing a
master’s degree in religious studies in
Columbia, MO, while balancing the duties of raising two children,
Nathanael and Sophia, and tending to the varied requirements
of running the Salvation Army post at Columbia. Admired and
respected by his co-workers and friends, Lt. Brookins credits Cape
Public Schools, a strong faith in God, and his family ties with his
parents, Lawrence and Willetta Brookins, for his ability to build
trusting relationships with those he serves at the Corps and in
the community.
ING THE WAY TO EXCELLENCE
Faces of Success 5
Senator Jason G.
Crowell
State Senator, 27th District of the
State of Missouri
Cape Girardeau native Sen. Jason
Crowell has fond memories of his days
at Hawthorne Elementary School, now
Clippard Elementary. “I remember Mr.
Charles Clippard, who was principal
then, and all the wonderful teachers
who always expected more of us than we expected of ourselves,” he
said. As a student, Jason struggled with reading. He has mild dyslexia,
but his teachers worked with him to overcome the challenge. Jason
believes that public education is essential to a successful future, and
should be our state’s number one priority.
Jason’s mom taught special needs children at Parkview State
School for over 30 years, an experience that reinforced his values of
honesty, responsibility, and sense of community. Jason earned the
rank of Eagle Scout and graduated from Cape Central High School in
1990. At Southeast Missouri State University he was elected President
of Student Government and worked in the late Congressman Bill
Emerson’s Washington, D.C. office. He obtained a degree in Economics
in 1995 and at the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Law,
earned his Juris Doctorate in 1998. He is an attorney in private practice
in Cape Girardeau and is licensed to practice law in Missouri, Arkansas
and Illinois.
In 2000 Jason was elected to the Missouri House of Representatives
to represent the 158th District. After winning re-election in 2002, Jason
was elected to serve the chamber as House Majority Leader—the
position that sets the agenda for floor debate of legislation. After four
years in the Missouri House, he was elected to the Missouri Senate in
2004 and re-elected in 2008.
Jason’s community activities include membership on the board of
directors of the Southeast Missouri Network Against Sexual Violence;
the University of Missouri Delta Center Advisory Board; Cape Girardeau
Noon Lions Club; Cape Chamber of Commerce and Missouri and Cape
Girardeau Farm Bureau. Jason is the recipient of the Appreciation Award
from Autism Society of America, Gateway Chapter; Missouri Legislator
of the year award from the VFW; Missouri State Teachers Association
(MSTA) award; Missouri Supreme Court Legislative Award; Missouri
Association for Career and Technical Education Legislative Recognition
Award; Missouri Sheriff’s Association’s 2005 Missouri Senator of the Year
and many others.
Jason credits Cape Girardeau Public Schools for much of the
foundation that led to his success. “Cape Public School students can take
on any challenge. They go on to Ivy League schools, military academies,
great careers, even the Missouri Senate. A world-class education is
available at Cape Girardeau Public Schools to anyone who wants it.”
Alumni '90
6 Cape Girardeau Public Schools
Jerry Ford
Musician, businessman, legislator,
philanthropist
On a sweltering day in August, Jerry
Ford was welcoming the Delta Queen
riverboat with a Dixieland tune; the next
day he was championing the rights of
special-needs individuals. Few people
have devoted as much time and energy
to altruistic activities than trumpeter
and entrepreneur Jerry Ford.
Growing up in the family business, Ford and Sons Funeral
Home, Jerry watched his father, Walter “Doc” Ford, mayor of Cape
Girardeau in the 1940s, 50s and 60s, devote vast amounts of time to
public service. As a result, Jerry juggled his time between basketball,
baseball, academics, and the trumpet—his orchestra played the
Fredericktown High School Prom the night of his own Senior Prom!
In his senior year, Jerry earned the coveted Shivelbine Award.
At Southeast Missouri State University he was president of Sigma
Chi Fraternity and was named “Outstanding Undergraduate” for the
State. He graduated in 1964 and joined the Illmo-Scott City School
District as Instrumental Music Director. In 1973 he was the Executive
Vice President of the Ozark Benefit Life Association, and in 1978 Ford
began serving two terms in the Missouri House of Representatives
as a tireless advocate for individuals with intellectual disabilities.
Between 1984 and 1989 Jerry was Chairman and CEO of Lenco, Inc.,
a manufacturer of welding equipment that was named Missouri
Small Business Exporter of the Year. He also served two terms on the
Cape Girardeau School Board and was president for a period of time.
He established “Ford and Associates” in 1992, a consulting company
representing clients in Jefferson City.
Jerry proudly supports his Alma Mater, serving on the Athletic
Booster Board, the President’s Council, the Copper Dome Society,
Foundation Executive Committee and the River Campus Board of
Managers. Jerry is active in many Masonic organizations, as well as the
Cape Historical Society, River Heritage Museum, District Fair Board,
Centenary United Methodist Church and Southeast Missouri Arts
Council, which awarded him the Friend of the Arts Award in 2007.
Jerry Ford’s music performances include the KFVS-TV Muscular
Dystrophy Telethon in the 1960s, 70s and 80s, the Inaugural Balls
of Governors Blunt and Nixon, performing with Bob Hope, Kenny
Rogers, Red Skelton, Bobby Vinton, Ray Stevens, and the orchestras
of Bob Crosby, Dick Jergens, Guy Lombardo, and Caesars Palace. Jerry
is writing a book of humorous incidents that he experienced as a
mortician, musician and politician—Gordonville Grove, scheduled to
be published in late 2010. A second book, Dreamers, about people in
the entertainment industry from Cape Girardeau, is in the works.
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Alumni '60
ING THE WAY TO EXCELLENCE
Faces of Success 7
Gary D. Forsee
President,
University of Missouri System
“Although I was only in Cape for a
short time, lifelong friendships were
developed. The community and Cape
Central High School should get full
credit for that,” says the 22nd president
of the four-campus University of
Missouri System. Born in Kansas
City, the young Forsee attended
Cape Central High School from 1967 to 1968, and was active in
basketball, track and cross country. He has also lived in St. Louis,
Springfield, Hannibal, Charleston, St. Joseph, Joplin, Moberly and
now Columbia, MO.
As the chief executive officer of the University of Missouri, Forsee
heads the four campuses in Columbia, Kansas City, Rolla and St.
Louis. The system’s annual operating budget is approximately $959
million, with total revenues of $2.5 billion and an endowment of $1
billion.
Prior to his appointment as university president, Forsee spent
more than 36 years in the telecommunications industry. Most
recently, he served as chairman and CEO of Sprint Nextel in Kansas
City, MO. He also served as CEO of Global One, a joint venture
of Sprint, Deutsche Telekom and France Telecom; and in various
leadership positions at AT&T and Southwestern Bell.
Forsee has received numerous honors, including the Henry Bloch
Humanitarian Award, the American Red Cross Circle of Humanitarian
Award, and Business Week’s Best Manager Award in 2004 and 2005.
He was also appointed chair of the President’s National Security
Telecommunications Advisory Committee by President George W.
Bush in 2006. He currently serves on the boards of Great Plains
Energy, Inc. and Ingersoll Rand Corporation, and is a trustee of the
Midwest Research Institute and the Nelson Atkins Museum of Art. In
the past, he has been a member of the board for Goodyear Tire and
Rubber Co., and served as national chairman for the March of Dimes.
Forsee received an honorary doctorate in engineering and
a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of
Missouri-Rolla, now Missouri University of Science and Technology.
He and his wife, Sherry, a graduate of Southeast Missouri State
University, have two daughters, Melanie Bell and Kara Forsee, D.V.M.,
both of whom are graduates of the University of Missouri-Columbia.
Alumni '68
8 Cape Girardeau Public Schools
Lieutenant Governor
Peter Kinder
Missouri’s 46th Lieutenant Governor
When Peter Kinder played “Senator
Jack S. Fogbound” in the 1972
production of Lil Abner in his senior
year at Cape Central High School, he
had no hint about his own political
future. Kinder, who was Student Body
President that year (and also in 9th
grade), was too busy playing football, working on the debate team
and making good grades to think about politics. But just twenty
years later, in 1992, he was elected to the Missouri Senate, where he
served twelve years.
In 2001, Kinder was elected President Pro Tem, the top elected
official in the Missouri Senate. He successfully ran for Lieutenant
Governor in 2004, becoming only the second sitting President Pro
Tem to be elected Lieutenant Governor.
Born and raised in Cape Girardeau, Kinder graduated from Cape
Central High School and continued his education at Southeast
Missouri State University and the University of Missouri-Columbia.
He graduated from St. Mary’s University School of Law in San
Antonio, TX, in 1979, and was admitted to the Missouri Bar in
1980. From 1981 to 1983, Kinder served as a member of U. S.
Representative Bill Emerson’s Washington staff and then worked as
an attorney and real estate representative for Drury Industries. In
1987, he became associate publisher of the Southeast Missourian.
A devoted promoter of public education and children’s causes,
Kinder advocated funding for the Amachi Program that assists Big
Brothers/Big Sisters of Missouri to mentor children whose parents
are incarcerated in Missouri prisons. He also coordinates the
Missouri Mentor Initiative, a pilot program that encourages state
employees to mentor children. In 1996 he was named chairman
of the Education Task Force of the American Legislative Exchange
Council, a bipartisan national association of state legislators.
The Lieutenant Governor is a member of several boards and
commissions, including Tourism Commission (chair); Missouri
Development Finance Board (chair); and the Missouri Housing
Development Commission. He co-chaired the Mental Health
Task Force, providing 25 recommendations to prevent abuse and
neglect in the mental health system. He is a member of the United
Methodist Church, Missouri Farm Bureau, Cape Girardeau Chamber
of Commerce and Lions Club. His work with other groups includes
Southeast Missouri Port Authority, United Way, Nature Conservancy,
American Cancer Society and Boy Scouts of America.
“Cape Girardeau has enormous resources… the public schools
have outstanding teachers, great leadership, and programs that
are second to none. Cape alumni can knock down any
challenge,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
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Alumni '72
ING THE WAY TO EXCELLENCE
Faces of Success 9
Wendy P.
(Hager) Kunc
Deputy Assistant Secretary of the
Navy for Cost & Economics
“The teachers I had at Cape Public
Schools provided educational
challenges, but they also were great
role models. They demonstrated true
patriotism, sportsmanship and courage
when facing difficulties in their own
lives,” says Wendy Kunc, the principal advisor on cost issues for the
Department of the Navy at the Pentagon in Arlington, VA. Mrs. Kunc
also serves as the Executive Director of the Naval Center for Cost
Analysis (NCCA). She previously spent 15 years with the Air Force,
where she lead development of the multi-billion dollar Cost per
Flying Hour program.
She holds a Bachelor’s degree in mathematics from the
University of Missouri, Columbia, and a Master’s degree in Computer
Information Systems from St. Mary’s University, San Antonio, TX.
She received a Master’s degree in National Resource Strategy from
the National Defense University, Washington, DC, and completed
the Industrial College of the Armed Forces Senior Acquisition
Course. She also completed the national Defense University’s Chief
Information Officer Certification program in 2005.
Mrs. Kunc’s professional awards include the Navy’s Superior
Civilian Service Award in 2009 and the Air Force’s Outstanding
Contribution to Financial Management and Comptroller in 1998,
among others. She is a member of the American Society of Military
Comptrollers and the Society of Cost Estimating and Analysis.
Active in her community, she served as a Church Council member
within her local congregation and as Service Team Director for a
4000-member fraternal organization that provides money and
assistance to individuals in need.
She is a tri-athlete and has competed in numerous events,
including the Boston Marathon. In 1981 she completed a 400-mile
run across Southern Missouri, culminating in a police escort across
the Mississippi River Bridge. She also logged 100.4 miles in a single
day during a 24-hour ultra-marathon run in the Cape Girardeau area.
Wendy Kunc is the daughter of Dr. Harold Hager and Jeanine
Hager of Cape Girardeau. Her school activities at Cape Central
High School included Track, Cheerleading, Student Council, Tiger
newspaper, Girl Scouts, Pep Club, Volleyball, Pom-Pon, and the
school’s first women’s Cross-Country team, in which she qualified
individually for State. Her fondest memory was the Men’s Varsity
Basketball Team winning the state championship in Columbia in
1980. “It seemed like the whole school and town were 100% behind
the team,” she remembered. Mrs. Kunc resides in Burke, Virginia
with her husband Karl, daughter Katy and son Keenan.
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Alumni '80
ING THE WAY TO EXCELLENCE
Stephen N.
Limbaugh, Jr.
Judge, United States District Court
for the Eastern District of Missouri
Stephen N. Limbaugh, Jr., a 1970
graduate of Cape Girardeau Central
High School, was sworn in as United
States District Judge for the Eastern
District of Missouri in 2008. At the time
of his appointment he was a judge of
the Supreme Court of Missouri, having completed 16 years of service
on that Court, including a two-year term as Chief Justice.
“My education at Cape Central High School was fine preparation
for college and has held me in good stead throughout my life,” he
said. His high school activities included National Forensic League,
Quill and Scroll Society, Tiger Newspaper staff and Varsity Tennis.
Judge Limbaugh earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history
in 1973 and a Juris Doctor degree in 1976, both from Southern
Methodist University. In 1998 he earned a Master of Laws degree in
Judicial Process from the University of Virginia.
He began his career in 1977 as an associate in the family law
firm of Limbaugh, Limbaugh and Russell. In 1978 he was elected
Prosecuting Attorney of Cape Girardeau County, and at the end of
his four-year term he returned to private practice in the family firm.
In 1987 he was appointed Circuit Judge of the 32nd Judicial Circuit
of Missouri, and later was twice elected to that office without
opposition. He served as Circuit Judge until his appointment to the
Supreme Court in 1992.
Judge Limbaugh is an active member of many professional, civic
and charitable organizations and is a lifelong member of Centenary
United Methodist Church of Cape Girardeau. He is a frequent
speaker and presenter for bar associations, law schools, civic groups
and service clubs, and he is the recipient of numerous awards and
honors.
Judge Limbaugh and his wife, Marsha, reside in Cape Girardeau,
and have two grown sons.
Alumni '70
Faces of Success 11
Darla Michele
Pannier, 1970-1989
Athletic Record Holder, Scholar,
Humanitarian
Those who saw Darla play basketball,
whether in high school or college, knew
they were in the presence of someone
special—that “one of a kind” ball player.
Darla had an astonishing basketball
career at Cape Central High School. She
was a three-time All-State selectee and a Converse All-American during
her senior year. She continues to hold over twenty girls’ basketball
records at Cape Central. Nationally, Darla still ranks third in career field
goal percentage—66.1%—as documented in the National High School
Sports Record Book. She is ranked seventh in the nation in field goal
percentage for one season—70.0%. In both cases, she has the longest
tenure of anyone on either list.
After graduating Cape Central, she went to Central Methodist
University and enjoyed a phenomenal freshmen year. Darla was named
National Player of the Week, finished second in the nation at 29.6 points
per game, and was the only freshman named to the 1989 NAIA Kodak
Women’s All-American Basketball Team. More than twenty years later,
she still holds six women’s basketball records at Central Methodist
University, including most points in a season and in a single
game. The record breaking single game turned out to be her
final game.
During the summer of 1989, between her freshman and
sophomore years in college, Darla was killed as she was
traveling to work at a basketball camp at Cape Central.
Her death shocked an entire community and left a
hollowness in the lives of the ones she had touched.
The many awards and scholarships provided for
students in her name are a testimony to who she was, what she
stood for, and the way she carried herself in her nineteen years:
Cape Central High School: “Darla Pannier Female Athlete of the Year
Award”, “Darla Pannier Scholarship”
Central Methodist University: “Darla Pannier Female Athlete of the
Year Award”, “Darla Pannier Scholarship”
State of Missouri Girls Basketball Hall of Fame Game: “Darla Pannier
Most Valuable Player Award”
She has a book written in her honor and memory: “Making a
Difference: The Darla Pannier Story” by Garland Bell.
Those who knew Darla as a person remember her beautiful smile,
sincere and gentle personality, and zest for life. Darla was passionate
about the needs of the less fortunate, and often daydreamed about
becoming a special education teacher. The terrible accident that
took her life too early ended her dream. But, the wonderful legacy
of Darla remains through her name, character, spirit, and
achievements, inspiring others to realize their own dreams.
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Alumni '88
ING THE WAY TO EXCELLENCE
Donna Lynn
Parkinson, Ph.D.
Clinical Psychologist,
John J. Pershing VA Medical Center
“My teachers made learning fun,”
says Dr. Donna Parkinson, reminiscing
about her elementary school years at
Hawthorne, now known as Clippard
Elementary School. “They gave me an
excellent foundation, recognized my
abilities and found ways to let me progress at my own speed. They
helped me build confidence in myself.”
Her Spanish teacher, Maxine Brice, “Not only taught the
language, but helped me gain an appreciation and respect for
individual differences and cultures,” she added. Those experiences
would serve the young Donna Parkinson well as she worked her
way through the years of education leading to a Doctorate in clinical
psychology.
Born in Cape Girardeau, Dr. Parkinson’s role models were
her parents, Ann and Bob Parkinson. She was active in school,
participating in debate, Red Dagger, Spanish Club, Anthology Club,
American Field Service, National Honor Society, JV basketball and
served one year as Student Council president. She accumulated
enough credits to graduate a semester early from Central High
School to begin studies at Southeast Missouri State University,
where she graduated Summa Cum Laude in 1984.
Dr. Parkinson continued her studies at University of Arkansas in
Fayetteville, and received a Masters Degree in 1987. She interned
at Olin Teague VA Center in Temple, TX, and joined the hospital staff
upon receiving her Doctorate in 1990. In 1996 she joined the staff of
the VA Medical Center at Poplar Bluff.
“I consider it an honor to have served the veteran population
for twenty years now. The men and women I treat have taught me
far more than any book could, as they confide in me and share their
experiences and their struggles. I do not measure my success in
terms of awards or recognition received; I measure it in terms of
being able to provide some degree of comfort and hope to those
who have made personal sacrifices for our country.”
When asked about the most remarkable thing about Cape Public
Schools, Dr. Parkinson replied, “The quality of the staff and their
willingness to provide individual attention.”
Alumni '79
Faces of Success 13
Michael A. Price
Assistant United States Attorney,
retired
Michael Price attended Cape Public
Schools from sixth through twelfth
grade. He left an indelible mark
on students, faculty, coaches and
the community. Not only did he
compile an outstanding academic
record, he also was the recipient of
the school district’s highest athletic
achievement—the Lou Muegge Award.
A public servant for eighteen years at the Department of Justice,
an attorney, an Infantry Officer in the Vietnam War and a Bronze
Star recipient, he was a leader and role model at Cape Central High
School, where he was Student Body President. Mr. Price married his
high school sweetheart, the former Donna Sides. They have two sons
who are also Cape Public Schools alumni, Michael, Jr. and Timothy
and four grandchildren in Kansas City where Mike and Donna now
reside.
In high school, Price participated in football, basketball, track,
choir and student senate. He attended Southeast Missouri State
University on a football scholarship, where he was a varsity
letterman and an officer of Sigma Chi Fraternity. He was an InterFraternity Council Representative and a Cardinal Key Men’s Honor
Society member. He earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political
Science in 1968. He graduated from Officer Candidate School in
the top five-percent of his class and was commissioned a U.S. Army
Second Lieutenant in 1969. An expert marksman, he served in
Vietnam as an infantry officer and received the Bronze Star in 1971.
Lt. Price returned from Vietnam and earned his J.D. degree from
the University of Missouri Law School in 1974. He was the Assistant
Prosecuting Attorney for Cape County, Attorney for the Cape County
Juvenile Office, and served as the Probation and Parole Citizen’s
Advisory Board President. He was in private practice for sixteen
years prior to becoming the Assistant United States Attorney for the
Eastern District of Missouri, where he received numerous awards
and accolades during his nineteen-year career.
A member at Centenary United Methodist Church for more than
50 years, a charter member and President of the Noon Optimist
Club, Mr. Price was also co-founder of the Cape Youth Tackle Football
League, a VFW member and a Southeast Missouri Hospital trustee.
Still active at Southeast Missouri State University, he served as
President of the Alumni Association.
“The most remarkable thing about Cape Public Schools is their
great balance of academics and activities,” said Mr. Price. “I proudly
accept the honor and privilege of being recognized in Faces of
Success, if doing so inspires present students to pursue a career in
public service, the law and community development.”
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Alumni '64
ING THE WAY TO EXCELLENCE
State Representative
Clint Tracy
Represents the 158th District in the
Missouri House of Representatives
Born in Greenville, IL, Rep. Clint Tracy
moved to Cape Girardeau in 1979
with his parents and attended Cape
Public Schools. An honor student, he
was active in several clubs and sports
during his high school career.
“My fondest memories at Central were playing home football
games at Houck Stadium,” Tracy says. While earning a stellar
academic record he also maintained membership on the varsity
football and wrestling teams, played a part in Pirates of Penzance,
and participated in National Honor Society, Letterman’s Club,
Orchestra, and Young Life. He attended Boy’s State in 1991.
After graduating from Cape Central High School in 1992, Tracy
attended the Naval Academy until 1996. He served in Operation
Desert Fox from 1998 to 1999. In January 2007 he was recalled to
active duty to serve with the Army Corps of Engineers in Baghdad,
Iraq. He returned in October 2007 to run for State Representative
and was elected in 2008 with 75% of the vote. At the completion of
his first year in the Missouri State Legislature he won the Legislator
of the Year Award for Homeland Security.
Tracy presently holds the rank of Lieutenant Commander in the
Naval Reserve. In 2009 he was selected to attend the Naval War
College. Tracy has been awarded the Navy Achievement Medal, the
Navy Commendation Medal and the Defense Meritorious Service
Medal.
Rep. Tracy and his wife, the former Carissa Long, have a son,
Theodore, and are members of the First Presbyterian Church
where he serves on the evangelism committee. Other community
organizations include VFW Post 3838, Habitat for Humanity
Executive Committee, High Noon Toastmasters, Cape Area Chamber
of Commerce, Southeast Hospital Association and the United Way
Education Solutions Committee.
Alumni '92
Faces of Success 15
PE
CA
GIRAR
AU
LEAD
PU
B
CHOOLS
CS
LI
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Honoring our Alumni…
Inspiring our Students
ING THE WAY TO EXCELLENCE
Nomination information:
Please consider nominating an outstanding alumnus
for a future Faces of Success publication. Nominees
must have attended Cape Girardeau Public Schools
and may be living or deceased.
Nomination forms are available from:
Cape Girardeau Public Schools
Public Relations Department
301 N. Clark
Cape Girardeau, MO 63701
573-335-1867
Please visit our Award-Winning Website:
16 CapeTigers.com
Cape Girardeau Public Schools