Dean Ladd, a graduate from 1938, attended one year at Washington State College before being called to Active Duty in response to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Two months into the epic battle of Guadalcanal, Ladd and the 2nd Marine division went into the line and stayed there for three months until the island was secured.

He was not that lucky at Tarawa, where he was wounded which took several months for him to recuperate. He was again wounded during the battle of Saipan.

After the war Dean joined the Marine reserves, where he remained for 30 years and retired a Lieutenant Colonel. He also went back to school in Pullman to complete his engineering degree. After graduating from Washington State College, Dean went on to hold senior positions with Kaiser Aluminum, North American Rockwell, and Lockheed. He married his wife Vera Michel (Rogers Alumni), raised three daughters, and traveled the world until her passing in 2007.

Leadership and responsibility have given JoAnn Culver Sims, a 1959 graduate, a voice to advocate for those suffering from injustices. She builds bridges of peace, understanding, and care by providing space for stories of youth in crisis, Japanese Americans unjustly incarcerated, survivors of the Atomic bomb in Hiroshima, Japan, and homeless populations. She earned a BA and MA in Education at Washington State University and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership at Seattle University. JoAnn, is a retired educator of 39 years, having taught at elementary, undergraduate, and graduate levels. She has been active in professional organizations and is an author of curriculum and leadership books for both educators and children. JoAnn is a founder of Youth Care, a Seattle based organization, serving youth in crisis since 1974. In 1997 she traveled to South Africa as a USA Educational Ambassador assisting educators in creating new curriculum that includes participatory democracy. In 2010 JoAnn became a Peace Ambassador for the World Friendship Center (WFC), a Japanese peace organization in Hiroshima, and then later worked for 2 years as an onsite co-director of WFC. She currently co-chairs the American Committee, a US non-profit group, supporting WFC. She also contributes to peace by creating a series of oil paintings called, “Under the Same Sky.” JoAnn uses her voice to advocate for justice.

Rod had devoted his life to teaching and coaching. He graduated in 1978 from Rogers High School and attended Washington State University for his Undergraduate. Transferred to Eastern Washington University where he completed his Bachelor’s in 1983. He started teaching at Ridgeview Elementary, continued on at Glover MS, then Audubon & Whitman as a Principal Assistant, before returning to teaching at Garry MS and currently works at Rogers High School. Rod was a successful wrestler in High School under Coach Pelo, and is sharing his knowledge of the fundamentals of wrestling with the boys and girls on the team. He completed his Master's Degree in 1993 than in 2005 he completed his Administrative Certificate from Whitworth University. He has held multiple teaching positions at the Elementary, Middle School, and High School levels for the past 38 years.

Rod is also dedicated to his community. He is a board member of the Japanese American Citizens’ League, and has volunteered many hours of his time to support Tom’s Turkey Drive, Hillyard Days Festival, Bloomsday, Hoopfest, and been active in his church council.

Rod has been selected into the Rogers Wrestling Hall of Fame, Regional IV Middle School Coach of the year in 1997, and the 3A GSL Wrestling Coach of the Year.