Honorees to be inducted into Lee’s Summit High School Hall of Fame
Posted by GSDispatch Editor in by Lee’s Summit R7 School District, Edu, GSD Online
Five distinguished alumni will be inducted into the Lee’s Summit High School Hall of Fame at an April 24 banquet. Honored inductees for the 2009-10 school year are Kathryn Moore Giangreco, Class of 1978; Lawrence Johnson, Class of 1945; Cindy L. (Hoover) Reams Martin, Class of 1977; Jack R. Smith, Class of 1958; and Ruth Stafford, Class of 1944.
The distinguished alumni will be recognized at the annual LSHS Hall of Fame banquet to be held at 6 p.m. April 24 at LSHS. Cost per person is $17, and reservations are required. For more information, contact Chad Hertzog at 816-986-2010 or chad.hertzog@leesummit.k12.mo.us.
Kathryn Moore Giangreco, Class of 1978
Kathryn Moore Giangreco has been a teacher in the Lee’s Summit R-7 School District since 1987. Mrs. Giangreco taught history for five years at Lee’s Summit High School before taking a position as an American history teacher at Bernard Campbell Middle School in 1992. Mrs. Giangreco is a veteran teacher and was honored as the Outstanding American History Teacher in Missouri in 2008. Mrs. Giangreco graduated summa cum laude from the University of Central Missouri in 1984 and was named the top English graduate for Missouri in 1984. Mrs. Giangreco was the top graduate from UCM’s School of Arts and Sciences and was offered a full scholarship for their master’s program. In addition to teaching, Mrs. Giangreco has co-authored two books with her husband D.M. Giangreco and was the sole author of “The American President,” which was published by Barnes and noble in 2009. Additionally, Mrs. Giangreco has written articles for various historical magazines and newspapers and is currently writing a book on Martha Jefferson entitled “First Lady of Monticello.” Mrs. Giangreco has been a Lee’s Summit community member for most of her life. She has also volunteered as a costumed interpreter at Missouri Town and has participated with the Lee’s Summit Community Theater.
Lawrence Johnson, Class of 1945
Lawrence Johnson was born in Lee’s Summit on May 16, 1927, and passed away in Kingsburg, Calif., on July 22, 2007. Mr. Johnson was the band and chorus director at Kingsburg High School for more than 20 years. His musical groups consistently earned many superior ratings every year. At Kingsburg, he developed one of the first jazz choirs in the United States and was conductor of the California Music Educators Jazz Choirs in recognition of his expertise in the area. Mr. Johnson began the tradition of the jazz band at Kingsburg High School. This has since been added to the curriculum of all major high schools across the state. Mr. Johnson received the Hall of Fame Award from the California Music Educator’s Association and received many additional honors. He was well known throughout California as a judge in many music contests. When in the military, Mr. Johnson’s band was chosen to play a concert attended by President Roosevelt, Winston Churchill and Joseph Stalin. Mr. Johnson formed a community band in Kingsburg, Calif., and directed it for seven years. He was very active in his church and other civic programs and was a member of several state and national music organizations.
Cindy L. (Hoover) Reams Martin, Class of 1977
Cindy L. (Hoover) Reams Martin was appointed to the Missouri Court of Appeals, Western District, by Governor Jay Nixon on October 13, 2009. Prior to her appointment as a Missouri Court of Appeals Judge, Mrs. Martin spent 25 years as a successful lawyer in Missouri. Mrs. Martin opened her law practice in Lee’s Summit in 2000. Prior to opening her own law practice, she was a partner and an associate at several Kansas City law firms. Mrs. Martin was valedictorian of her law school class at the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law in 1984. She graduated summa cum laude from William Jewell College in 1981 with a double major of communications and psychology. Mrs. Martin has served as a president and in several other leadership positions with the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association and the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Foundation. She is a past recipient of the Missouri Bar Association President’s Award and has been recognized as a “super lawyer” for Missouri and Kansas in 2006, 2007 and 2008. Mrs. Martin is a voting board member of the Lee’s Summit Educational Foundation, a citizen member of the audit committee for the Lee’s Summit School District and secretary for the Southeastern Jackson County Citizens’ Association.
Jack R. Smith, Class of 1958
Jack R. Smith is the co-owner/chief operations officer/vice president of Aerial Viewpoint Aerial Photography Inc. located in Spring, Texas. This is the largest aerial photography company of mapping photography in Texas and is capable of serving most of the United States. Mr. Smith is also the owner of the patent that describes the method in which a hole is cut into the bottom of a Piper Navajo airplane for installation of aerial cameras. Shortly after President George W. Bush was elected, Mr. Smith’s company was hired by the Secret Service to photograph and map the president’s ranch both before and after security measures had been installed. Mr. Smith was a member of the Utility Data Corporation Advisory Board from 1964 to 1970. He has been published by the American Society of Photogrammetry with an article that he co-authored, entitled, “Photographic Contrast Enhancement of Ladsat Imagery.” In addition to his many accomplishments in the field of aerial photography, Mr. Smith has always been very active with the youth of his community. Through his talents and enjoyment of sports, he has taught young people the value of sportsmanship and through donations has provided them with the opportunity to attend camps and become involved with teamwork.
Ruth Stafford, Class of 1944
Ruth Stafford was employed by Globe Aero in Lakeland, Fla., from 1970 to 1990 to deliver planes to customers all over the world. During this time, Mrs. Stafford made 52 solo crossings of the Atlantic Ocean. All but two of those crossings were made in single-engine airplanes. From 1989 to 1994, she also conducted seminars for pilots planning to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. The site of her seminar alternated between her flight school at Lake Lotawana and another site in Europe. In 1999, she was invited to speak at an International Safety Seminar in Nepal, a small county in southern Asia. In 1974, Mrs. Stafford donated her services as the pilot for Bob Dole in his campaign for United States Congress. Additionally, on three occasions, Mrs. Stafford has donated her services as a ferry pilot to deliver airplanes to missionaries in Kenya and Ethiopia. In the community, Mrs. Stafford has been very active with the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Mrs. Stafford also served in the Kansas City Young Matrons and became president of the Associate Members. Mrs. Stafford is active in the 99 Club, an organization of female pilots started by Amelia Earhart in 1929.
Lee’s Summit High School has inducted distinguished graduates into the school’s Hall of Fame for 12 years. Approximately five alumni are inducted each year during a dinner ceremony. Plaques featuring the honorees are also displayed on a “wall of fame” at Lee’s Summit High School.
The LSHS Hall of Fame inductees are selected by a committee of graduates and staff. Alumni are eligible for this honor 10 years after graduation.
Nomination forms for next year are available by calling Lee’s Summit High School, 986-2010. They should be returned to the high school at 400 SE Blue Parkway, Lee’s Summit, Mo., 64063.
