Rogers honors graduates in place of prominence

It’s an elite group of Rogers High School alumni.

Since 1993, the alumni association has chosen graduates whose plaques grace the halls of the Hillyard school to inspire its current students. Five more names will be added to the list on Oct. 4.

The Walk of Fame shows Rogers students they can accomplish anything. The group of alumni in years past has included fighter pilots shot down during World War II, broadcasters, developers, doctors, dentists, educators, journalists, lawyers and sheriffs.

Walk of Fame organizer Sharon Travis is proud of the group of 112 graduates, all people she researches, meets and keeps in touch with through the years.

“I’ve met some amazing people,” she said.

She began working on the Walk of Fame project since it began in 1993. It was part of the school’s Renaissance program, which rewarded academic excellence. Travis was a keyboarding teacher at the school, and that first year there were many other teachers involved with the project.

Since then, participation has dwindled, and even though she retired from teaching five years ago, Travis is still in charge of the Walk of Fame.

She speaks of the alumni as friends, even those she hasn’t met, such as Charles Gumm, class of 1939, a fighter pilot who died in WWII. Or Gene Shauvin, class of 1937, another World War II pilot who led the invasion of Holland and was shot down over Belgium. His body was never found.

Inductees are selected based on success in their chosen field, participation in community affairs, charitable organizations and alumni activities.

Each member of the Walk of Fame is selected by the alumni association, so after all of Travis’ hard work researching, assembling and writing about the candidates, she doesn’t get a vote.

“I really try hard not to influence them,” she said.

The inductees will be honored during the school’s homecoming assembly in the new Carl “Tuffy” Ellingsen Athletic Center on Oct. 4. There will also be a flag ceremony presented by the school’s Junior ROTC program and a luncheon prepared by the school’s culinary class, and the inductees will be honored at the homecoming game that evening.

Travis said that the event is so popular with the culinary students, some of the graduates come back to help.

The cost to attend the luncheon is $15. Inductees can attend for free.

This year’s group of inductees includes:

Carl H. Dry, class of 1938: Dry spent six years in the Navy and is a survivor of the attack on Pearl Harbor. After earning his master’s degree from Eastern Washington College of Education, he taught math and science before he began working at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. He worked on the Gemini, Apollo and Skylab projects and served as an executive assistant to the space shuttle program director.

Over the years, Dry donated his time to the Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, the Explorer program, the Lions’ Club, the Citizens Tax Committee, the Arizona Federation of Taxpayers Association, the Duplicate Bridge League and the YMCA.

Dr. Bruce Ellingsen, class of 1958: Ellingsen was originally chosen for the Walk of Fame last year, but scheduling conflicts forced him to ask Travis to wait a year. This year, the school’s athletic center is now completed, and Ellingsen will be inducted in the building that is named for his father.

“God must have had a hand in this,” Travis said.

Ellingsen was a co-valedictorian when he graduated and later attended the University of Washington Medical School and did his ophthalmology residency at Harvard Medical School.

Ellingsen introduced the non-penetrating glaucoma surgery into the United States and has been published many times in medical journals for his work in glaucoma.

Over the years he’s been an officer and a trustee for the Spokane County Medical Society and was a founder and trustee for the Washington State University Foundation. He coaches soccer and basketball for YMCA.

Ted Robert Gurr, class of 1953: Gurr earned his doctorate from New York University in 1965 and has written more than 20 books and monographs about political conflict and instability. He has taught political science at Princeton, Northwestern University, the University of Colorado and the University of Maryland.

Gurr helped set up the Political Instability Task Force under the Clinton administration and continues to serve as a consultant for the group today.

Lt. Col. Leslie Hilby, class of 1951: Hilby attended Washington State University and the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College in Kansas. He served two tours of Vietnam as a company commander and staff officer. After 20 years with the Army, he retired as battalion commander of the 501st Signal Battalion, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) at Fort Campbell, Ky. He has received numerous medals and bars for his service.

His service to the community includes serving as president of the Commission of the East Side Liberty Lake Improvement Club, he is active in Rogers class reunions and the Pirate Cove Revitalization project.

Chief Master Sgt. Timothy Tyvan, class of 1987: Tyvan enlisted in the Air Force in 1989. He was assigned to a Tactical Air Control Party in Fulda, Germany, and served four tours of duty before he transferred to the Washington Air National Guard. He has served in Desert Storm, Desert Shield, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

For his service, he’s been recognized with many awards and decorations including the Bronze Star.

Travis said that along with their participation in the Walk of Fame ceremonies, Dry, Hilby and Tyvan will speak to the school’s Junior ROTC students.