The Prairie School Hall of Fame represents a cooperative effort between Prairie’s Development Office and the alumni community to honor those who have demonstrated success in one of four key areas: academia, the arts, athletics and leadership.
These four categories represent Prairie’s mission and philosophy of practice, celebrating alumni who have carried the spirit of Prairie into their lives post-graduation.
CLASS OF 2026
SCHOLAR
Todd
Hoeksema '74
To understand Todd Hoeksema’s burning fascination and determination to study our galaxy’s greatest star, it’s important to also understand his affinity for Stanford, and the university’s role as catalyst in supporting his scientific curiosity and affording opportunities to further his life’s work.
ARTIST
Tom
Proost '77
In these photos and so many others – Tom working on the movie A.I., Tom working on The Nightmare Before Christmas, Tom working on Coraline, Tom working on Wendell & Wild – you begin to notice it again and again. That smile. Aging gracefully over the decades while always maintaining the same excitement. The same confidence. The same zest for life. And for making magic.
The more you sit with these images, the more you study them, the more Tom Proost’s grin and the twinkle in his eye is what leaves a lasting impression…
ATHLETE
Gabrielle
Ortiz '14
Today, some 12 years after she last suited up for Prairie, misdirection feels like a proper entry point into appreciating the journey of Gabrielle Ortiz. And yes, that journey was – and still is – emphatically influenced by the game of basketball.
These days, much of her free time is spent dishing information to the next generation of hoopers – she started the GO Basketball Academy in Oklahoma and offers private lessons and small group training for young players.
But, this is not a basketball story.
LEADER
Liz
Powell '78
Without the conductor’s zeal for craft and steady, quiet leadership, direction is lost. Great leadership begins with a willingness to provide balance and organization and structure without ever demanding the spotlight. In this way, Liz Powell ’78, President & CEO of the Racine Community Foundation, contently serves as conductor not just for her team, but for her community.
SCHOLAR
Todd Hoeksema '74
To understand Todd Hoeksema’s burning fascination and determination to study our galaxy’s greatest star, it’s important to also understand his affinity for Stanford, and the university’s role as catalyst in supporting his scientific curiosity and affording opportunities to further his life’s work.
ARTIST
Tom Proost '77
In these photos and so many others – Tom working on the movie A.I., Tom working on The Nightmare Before Christmas, Tom working on Coraline, Tom working on Wendell & Wild – you begin to notice it again and again. That smile. Aging gracefully over the decades while always maintaining the same excitement. The same confidence. The same zest for life. And for making magic.
The more you sit with these images, the more you study them, the more Tom Proost’s grin and the twinkle in his eye is what leaves a lasting impression…
ATHLETE
Gabrielle Ortiz '14
Today, some 12 years after she last suited up for Prairie, misdirection feels like a proper entry point into appreciating the journey of Gabrielle Ortiz. And yes, that journey was – and still is – emphatically influenced by the game of basketball.
These days, much of her free time is spent dishing information to the next generation of hoopers – she started the GO Basketball Academy in Oklahoma and offers private lessons and small group training for young players.
But, this is not a basketball story.
same confidence. The same zest for life. And for making magic.
The more you sit with these images, the more you study them, the more Tom Proost’s grin and the twinkle in his eye is what leaves a lasting impression…
LEADER
Liz Powell '78
Without the conductor’s zeal for craft and steady, quiet leadership, direction is lost. Great leadership begins with a willingness to provide balance and organization and structure without ever demanding the spotlight. In this way, Liz Powell ’78, President & CEO of the Racine Community Foundation, contently serves as conductor not just for her team, but for her community.
CLASS OF 2025
SCHOLAR
Omai
Garner '96
Director of the Clinical Microbiology Laboratory for the UCLA Health System
ARTIST
Suzanne
Selmo '98
LA-Based Children’s Musician, Singer/Songwriter and Mindfulness Coach
ATHLETE
Coach Melody
Owsley
Prairie Physical Education Teacher & Basketball Coach
LEADER
Kanwar
Singh '85
Managing Director, Private Wealth Advisor at Singh Coleman Private Wealth
SCHOLARS
ARTISTS
Past Recipients
- Connie Cage ’73 | Art
- Bill Reid ’73 | Art
- Dominic Miller ’78 | Music
- Jill Neubauer ’78 | Art
- Mark Lutz ’79 | Music
- Terrance Gray ’81 | Music
- Neil Patel ’82 | Scenic Design
- Heather Martin Bixler ’82 | Music
- Ann-Elise Henzel ’83 | Communications
- Mary Osmundsen ’83 | Art
- Janice Martin ’85 | Music
- Amanda Cosgrove ‘85 | Art
- Andrea Early Cohen ’86 | Music
- David Simmons ‘88 | Music
- Jonah Libster ’89 | Music
- Andrew Isaacson ’95 | Communications
ATHLETES
Past Recipients
- Jessica MacVicar ’72 | Tennis, Field Hockey, Basketball, Track
- Jim Dudley ‘74 | Basketball, Tennis
- Helen Leipold-Johnson ’74 | Tennis, Field Hockey
- Judson Shaufler ’75 | Tennis
- Earl Campbell ’76 | Soccer
- Nancy Geenen ’77 | Basketball, Tennis
- Bryan Miesel ’77 | Soccer
- Jay Porter ’79 | Tennis
- Tom D’Orazio ’82 | Basketball, Soccer
- Karen Corsica ’83 | Softball, Basketball, Field Hockey
- Terry Chapko ‘84 | Basketball, Soccer
- Cathy Taylor Pfarrer ’87 | Tennis, Basketball, Soccer, Teacher, Coach
- Jennifer Cook Qualley ’87 | Tennis
- Bob Becker ’89 | Soccer, Wrestling, Tennis
- Brittany Holterman ’04 | Tennis, Volleyball, Basketball, Soccer
- John Gittings (Years of Service: 1965-2012) | Parent, Board Member, Loyal Advocate
- Ralph Henkes (Years of Service: 1967-1992) | Coach: Soccer, Track, Golf, Wrestling
- Mary Jane Carreno (Years of Service: 1970-1978) | Teacher, Coach, Girls’ Athletic Supervisor
- Harold Swanson (Years of Service: 1970-2020) | Coach: Boys and Girls Tennis
LEADERS
2025 Hall of Fame Committee
- Pat Badger
- Mike Borzynski ’99
- Andrew Isaacson ’95
- Megan McGuire ’02
- Shakila Manogaran Shimp ’86
- Armen Vidian ’88
Committee and Process
The committee, composed of Prairie alumni, faculty and former faculty, will vote to induct individuals annually. Nominees not selected for awards will remain on the selection list for review in future years. Recipients will be announced in February, and will be celebrated during Prairie’s Alumni Weekend festivities.
Nominations
The Committee will seek nominations for inductees from the greater community – alumni, faculty, and friends of Prairie. Nominees (either living or deceased) must meet the qualifications established for each category.
All nominations for the 2026 HOF Class must be received no later than December 1st, 2025 in order to be considered. Next year’s class will be announced in early 2026 and celebrated during next June’s Alumni Weekend.
Qualification for Hall of Fame Nominations
Prairie has a diverse and successful alumni community, and the Hall of Fame categories seek to honor those who have lived out the Prairie mission since graduation. Below you will find the qualifications for an alum to be considered as a Hall of Fame nominee.