Class of 1944 valedictorian, Warren D. Helmer, was a recipient of a Bausch and Lomb Science Medal and a George Westinghouse Scholarship to Carnegie Mellon University. After graduating with honors in chemical engineering, Helmer worked in process development for The Proctor and Gamble Company, where he invented a process that saved the company millions of dollars in the making of Tide Detergent. He has also worked in supervisory positions at Thiokol Chemical Corporation and ACS Industries, and was manager of Engineering Research and Development at Campbell Soup Company until his retirement in 1992. Helmer holds two patents and is currently vice-president and part owner of a company developing a process for safe disposal of medical waste. Helmer’s history of community service is equally impressive. Helmer was the New Jersey Literacy Volunteer Teacher of the Year in 1990 and has been active in VITA, a group of volunteers which teachers decision making to prison inmates. In addition, he and his wife, Patricia, keep a two mile stretch of highway trash-free for the Adopt-A-Highway program in their home town of Langhorne, Pennsylvania.

The president of Rogers’ senior class of 1966 stayed away from his hometown only long enough to earn degrees at Stanford University and the University of Washington Law School. Steven L. Jones returned to Spokane in 1973 and has worked as a staff attorney for EXPO ’74 and the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare. He is currently a partner in the law firm of Feltman, Gebhardt, Eymann & Jones. Jones is an active member of the community, serving on the board of directors for Daybreak of Spokane from 1984 through 1991 and currently for YMCA of the Inland Empire. Jones, who was member of Rogers’ 1963 and 1965 state champion cross-country teams, is also a past-president and current board member of the Lilac Bloomsday Association.

Don Miner is in his 33rd year as manager of Spokane’s Eagle Aerie #2. In addition to overseeing the nation’s largest Eagles lodge, Miner has been a leading member at all levels. He has served as a local president and state officer, and as a member of the Grand Tribunal, the Eagles national governing body. A father of two grown children, Miner has also found time to be Cub Scout leader and a coach and referee of youth hockey. Miner, who graduated in 1950, served as Chairman of the first Rogers all-school reunion.

An August 30, 1994 Spokesman-Review article referred to Bess (Brown) Carlson as “queen of the pool rats”. She has earned the title. The 1936 Rogers graduate has taught more than 151 Red Cross courses since joining the Spokane Parks and Recreation Department in 1937. As the Assistant Supervisor of Aquatics, Carlson oversees the swim programs at all city pools. A former junior and senior city swimming champion, she has taught swimming for many organizations, including the City of Spokane, Chester Hills, YWCA, Elks, and Girl Scouts. Carlson has been on the National Board of Governors of the United States Synchronized Swimming for over 40 years. In 1954 she formed a local synchronized swim team, the Silver Mermaids, which she also coached until 1982. When she wasn’t in the pool, Carlson was a School District 81 secretary for 22 years, until her retirement in 1982. She has received service awards from both the Spokane Parks and Recreation Department and the Red Cross. The Holmes PTA recognized Calson’s service to youth by awarding her the Golden Acorn Award in 1971. Carlson is active on the Red Cross Water Safety Committee and is an enthusiastic member of John R. Rogers Alumni Association.

As a student at Rogers High School, Albert Poffenroth was an honor student and earned nine letters in three sports. His achievements since graduating in 1936 are also impressive. In 1940, Poffenroth earned a bachelor or arts degree from Eastern Washington University and taught elementary school for two years. His teaching career was interrupted by the war and Poffenroth served as a Captain in the Air Force until 1946, the same year he earned his Masters Degree from Washington State University. The former All-City high school quarterback was a football coach and dean of men at E.W.U. until 1955 when he began a 25-year career in athletic education at Central Washington University. Poffenroth coached C.W.U.’s football team until 1962. He then held the position of Chairman of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Athletics until heis retirement in 1980. He was inducted into the C.W.U. Hall of Fame in 1989. Poffenroth’s Walk of Fame award is the second from and alma mater, as received an Outstanding Alumni Award from E.W.U. in 1982.

Lieutenant Charles Gumm had just married his high school sweetheart when World War 2 started. The 1939 Rogers graduate had long wanted to be an Air Force pilot so he left Gonzaga University to volunteer for training. In 1943, he was sent to England and soon became his squadron’s leading ace. He also is credited as being the first P-51 Mustang pilot to shoot down and enemy plane over Europe. Gumm died a hero on January 29, 1944 when, experiencing engine failure, he sacrificed his life and his plane in order to avoid crashing into the English village of Nayland. Observers of the crash reported Gumm could have parachuted to safety but chose to stay with the plane which crashed into and open field outside town. The residents of Nayland have memorialized the pilot with a plaque in St. James Church and by placing flowers every week near a cemetery bench dedicated to the young hero. During his brief flying career, Gumm received the air medal and three oak leaf clusters. He was also awarded, posthumously, the silver star, the soldiers medal and the distinguished flying cross for gallantry in action.

Softball was more than just a seasonal pastime for 1937 Rogers graduate, Fred “Bud” Adams. It was a way of life. The Spokane Empire Softball Hall of Famer was a player for over 50 years and was also a manager and a sponsor. In 1992, the Spokane Metro Softball Association honored Adams by renaming Franklin Park field #1, Bud Adams Field. Adams was the first President of SMSA and served on the Executive Board as Vice President and Assistant Vice-President. He also held positions as Player Representative and Treasurer. In Adams’ life away from softball, he received six Coast Guard service medals during World War 2. His post-war careers included Branch Manager of the Hillyard Seafirst Bank and owner of Olympic Sports Supply. Adams was one of the original founders of Spokane Optimists and was active in the Moose Lodge and Rogers Alumni Association.

Gary Garberg is currently the Director of Strategic Planning and Marketing at EHS Health Care, the largest health care provider in Chicago. The 1980 Rogers graduate entered the health care industry after three years in banking in London and New York. Garberg, who holds a Masters Degree in Marketing and Finance, received his undergraduate degree in Economics from Columbia University in 1984. A three-year letterer, team captain and national competitor in cross country and track while at Rogers, Garberg also earned varsity letters in track and cross country at Columbia, where he set a school record at 3,000 meters. Garberg also excelled academically in high school, where he was a member of the National Honor Society, and at Columbia, where he placed on the Dean’s list every semester. Garberg, who has worked with inner-city sixth graders in a positive role modeling program, offers the following advice to current Rogers students:

“The most important skill that you can have is the ability to market yourself. In this case I use a very broad definition of the word ‘market’. It includes how you speak, how you write, the clothes you wear, and how you deal with others…You may be smarter than everyone else with which you come in contact, but if you cannot effectively convey your thoughts and gain the respect of others, you will never be able to have a lasting impact upon them.”

At this particular time in her life, Evelyn (Hawke) Conant’s personal goal is to open the Davenport Hotel. Conant, a 1944 Rogers High School graduate, worked as Head Accountant and even lived in the hotel for three years during the early 80’s. She returned in 1990 to coordinate the hotel’s 1995 reopening for the new owners, Sun International Hotels and Properties. She also sits on the Board of Directors for the friends of the Davenport. Conant’s position at the Davenport is only the most recent in diverse history of careers. Following high school, Conant worked as a weather observer and as an Airline Hostess for Northwest Orient Airlines prior to her marriage to professional baseball player, John Conant. After retiring from baseball, the Conants operated a family business for 27 years and were active members of Millwood Presbyterian Church. While raising her three children, Conant was a Girl Scout and Cub Scout leader and was the recipient of the Lifetime Golden Acorn Award for her work in PTA. She has served in several vital positions for the Lilac Festival, including Director and Chairperson of Princess selection. She also sits on the Board of Directors for the Miss Spokane Scholarship Program. As a student at Rogers, Conant was a student council representative and was active in numerous clubs and organizations. She retains strong ties with the school, serving as Vice President of the Alumni and helping to organize reunions.

Education has been a life-long career for 1944 Rogers graduate, Donald G. Cobb. With a B.A. in education from Eastern Washington University and a Masters Degree from Whitworth, Cobb has taught at both elementary and high school levels in District 81. During his tenure, Cobb spent 20 years at Shadle Park High School, where he coached baseball and football and held positions of Counselor, Dean of Boys, and Vice Principal. Prior to his retirement in 1987, Cobb also served as principle at Garry Junior High and at North Central and Rogers high schools. Cobb played both football and baseball while a student at Rogers and, in 1943, was named all-city in both sports and all state in football. The same year Cobb was student body president and won Rogers Athlete of the Year honors. Cobb has maintained an active role in the community, serving as Spokane City Park’s recreational director for 12 years. He is a member of the Downtown Kiwanis and the Spokane Country Club and is also active in his church. In 1983, Cobb was inducted into the Spokane Softball Association Hall of Fame, and in 1985 received a Dean’s Award from W.S.U.

Keith H. Campbell was a champion debater at Rogers High School and has since spent his life debating in both legal and political arenas. Campbell is the first Rogers graduate to serve as a local judge and school board president, and to be elected to the Washington State legislature. A graduate of the class of 1937, Campbell holds degrees from the University of Washington and Gonzaga Law School and practiced law in Spokane for 42 years. As a State Representative, Campbell chaired both the Higher Education and the Judiciary Committees. He was also chairman of the joint House-Senate Committee on public pensions and migratory labor. During his career, Campbell has held numerous other public offices, and he currently serves on both the House of Representatives Ethics Board and the Washington State Statue Law Committee. Campbell’s military career is also extensive. He served in both World War II and the Korean War and retired with the rank of Colonel after 30 years as an Air Force Judge Advocate Reserve Officer. Campbell is a member of the Moose Lodge, Veterans Foreign Wars and the Reserve Officer’s Association, and is active in the Rogers High School Alumni Association.

Helen (Weber) Armstrong is devoted to serving the young people of Spokane. For the past twelve years she has taught at Mead Junior High. Outside the Classroom, Armstrong has supervised numerous extracurricular activities and has served on several school district committees, including Social Studies, Math, English and Athletic Policy Development. She has also coached the debate team and both the boy’s and girl’s track. The 960 Rogers graduate managed two local companies before obtaining a degree in education from Eastern Washington University in 1979. Armstrong also holds a Masters degrees in education and counseling and earned principal credentials in 1985. In the community, Armstrong has been active in Girl Scouts, Omega House and home tutoring and has been a volunteer for the Washington Trust Cycling Classic.