Alumni Spotlight - New Albany Floyd County Education Foundation

Alumni in the Spotlight: Shane Gibson (FCHS ‘89)

Article originally appeared in the October 2022 Legacy Ledger (Issue 26). Shane Gibson (FCHS ‘89) Shane Gibson was still just a baby in the winter of 1970-71, when the iconic term “Superhicks” was first coined. The team electrified and united the entire Floyd Central community when they reached the final four, even if they didn’t … Continue reading “Alumni in the Spotlight: Shane Gibson (FCHS ‘89)”

Alumni in the Spotlight: Rick Fox (FC ’73)

By: Sherri McKeen Posted on: October 14, 2025September 30, 2025 Posted in: Alumni Alumni Spotlight, attorney, City of New Albany, civic engagement, community leadership, Floyd County, Floyds Knobs, Fox Law Offices, IU Alumni Association, local government, NAFC Schools Alumni, NAHS Class of 1973, New Albany High School, Rick Fox, Riverside Aquatic Club, swimming

Article originally appeared in the October 2022 Legacy Ledger (Issue 26). Rick Fox (FC ’73) Rick is a “first generation” Highlander, in the first class of junior high school kids who “went all the way through” – – seventh graders to seniors. His leadership skills were evident in his three years as swim team captain and … Continue reading “Alumni in the Spotlight: Rick Fox (FC ’73)”

Alumni in the Spotlight: Karen Kamensek (NAHS ‘87)

By: Sherri McKeen Posted on: September 30, 2025 Posted in: Alumni Akhnaten, Alumni Spotlight, classical music, conductor, Grammy Award winner, Hanover State Opera, Indiana University Bloomington, international career, Jacobs School of Music, Karen Kamensek, Metropolitan Opera, music education, NAFC Schools Alumni, NAHS Class of 1987, New Albany High School, opera, orchestral conducting, women in music

Karen Kamensek (NAHS ‘87) Conducting orchestras and operas with masterful care Even on video, Phillip Glass’s opera “Akhnaten” stuns. In this particular 2019 Metropolitan Opera recording of “Hymn to the Sun”, the God-King slowly, methodically climbs a set of stairs, his translucent robe flowing, and takes his place in the center of a bright orange … Continue reading “Alumni in the Spotlight: Karen Kamensek (NAHS ‘87)”

Alumni in the Spotlight: Will DeVary (FCHS ‘18)

By: Sherri McKeen Posted on: September 30, 2025September 30, 2025 Posted in: Alumni actor, Alumni Spotlight, Austin Pendleton, Born 2 Lose, BURN1 production collective, director, FCHS Class of 2018, Floyd Central High School, Ithaca College, NAFC Schools Alumni, New York City theatre, off-Broadway, Shakespeare, storytelling, theater arts, Will DeVary, writer

Will DeVary (FCHS ’18) A gifted storyteller on stage, screen and page Director. Writer. Actor. Will DeVary does it all. Take July of this year. The 2018 Floyd Central grad acted in a production of “Richard II” in New York City, where he now lives. Then, he was the assistant director of a production helmed … Continue reading “Alumni in the Spotlight: Will DeVary (FCHS ‘18)”

Alumni in the Spotlight: Sherman Minton, Judge Basil Lorch III, and Judge Jim Hancock

By: Sherri McKeen Posted on: September 23, 2025September 23, 2025 Posted in: Alumni Alumni Spotlight, Basil Lorch, Community Impact, FCHS, Floyd Central High School, Indiana History, Jim Hancock, Judiciary, Legacy Ledger, NAFC Alumni, NAHS, New Albany High School, Public Service, Rule of Law, Sherman Minton

From the Supreme Court to local courtrooms, NAHS graduates have played influential roles in shaping the rule of law. In our September 2022 Legacy Ledger, we featured three Bulldogs whose careers took them into the judiciary: ⚖️ Sherman Minton, Sr. (NAHS 1910) – U.S. Senator, Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals, and U.S. Supreme Court Justice.⚖️ … Continue reading “Alumni in the Spotlight: Sherman Minton, Judge Basil Lorch III, and Judge Jim Hancock”

November 2024 Alumni Spotlights: Derek Cook (FC ’01) and Jack Coffman (NA ’67)

By: Sherri McKeen Posted on: November 26, 2024November 26, 2024 Posted in: Alumni Alumni, Alumni Spotlight, Floyd Central High School, Indiana, Legacy NAFC, Marine One, Military Service, NAFC, NAFC Alumni, NAFC Schools, New Albany Floyd County Schools, New Albany High School, US Military, Veterans Day, Veterans Spotlight

This November, we are proud to spotlight two extraordinary alumni who exemplify courage, commitment, and service: Derek Cook (FCHS ’01): A Marine One pilot who has flown three U.S. Presidents and now continues to serve as a Marine reservist and commercial aviator. Jack Coffman (NAHS ’67): A Vietnam-era Navy signalman who has dedicated his life … Continue reading “November 2024 Alumni Spotlights: Derek Cook (FC ’01) and Jack Coffman (NA ’67)”

June 2024 Alumni Spotlights: Howard “Dutch” Vigar (NAHS ’68) & Gary Libs (FCHS ’69)

By: Sherri McKeen Posted on: June 27, 2024June 28, 2024 Posted in: Alumni Alumni Spotlight, Ben Vigar, Dutch Vigar, Floyd Central High School, Floyd Central Theatre Arts, Gary Libs, Howard Vigar, Jeff Libs, NAFC Schools, New Albany High School

This month’s Alumni Spotlight is a heartwarming Father’s Day tribute! 🧡Read about Dutch Vigar and Gary Libs, two incredible fathers who have left lasting legacies in coaching, education, and community service. From swimming pools to paving roads, their stories are filled with dedication, love, and pride. Let’s celebrate their journeys and the impact they’ve made … Continue reading “June 2024 Alumni Spotlights: Howard “Dutch” Vigar (NAHS ’68) & Gary Libs (FCHS ’69)”

May 2024 Alumni Spotlights: Vicki Hays Pierce (FCHS ’70) & Laura McGuirk (NAHS ’75)

By: Sherri McKeen Posted on: May 28, 2024June 28, 2024 Posted in: Alumni Alumni Spotlight, Floyd Central High School, Floyd Central Theatre Arts, International Thespian Society, Jim Pierce, Laura McGuirk, NAFC Schools, New Albany High School, Vicki Hays-Pierce

In honor of Mother’s Day, we’re thrilled to bring you a special Alumni Spotlight column. This month, we feature heartwarming tributes from two daughters (Casey Hays Street – FCHS ’03 & Colleen McGuirk Parker – NAHS ’10) to their incredible mothers (Vicki Hays Pierce – FCHS ’70 & Laura McGuirk – NAHS ’75), both of … Continue reading “May 2024 Alumni Spotlights: Vicki Hays Pierce (FCHS ’70) & Laura McGuirk (NAHS ’75)”

April 2024 Alumni Spotlights: Ronnie Dreistadt (FC ’89) and David West Reynolds (NA ’84)

By: Sherri McKeen Posted on: April 18, 2024April 18, 2024 Posted in: Alumni Alumni Spotlight, David West Reynolds, Floyd Central High School, Floyd County Carnegie Library Cultural Arts Center, Floyd County Library, Lost Bluegrass, Mike Olmstead, NAFC Schools, New Albany High School, Rex Bickers, Ronnie Dreistadt, the Hero's Journey, The Visual Dictionary of Star Wars

Excerpt from the April 2024 Legacy Ledger: If you’re looking at this newsletter, then maybe the old expression “birds of a feather stick together” applies to you… that is, referring specifically to people who enjoy reading. Lots and lots of our friends, especially our schoolmates of yesteryear, like reading a well-written story. By contrast, far fewer … Continue reading “April 2024 Alumni Spotlights: Ronnie Dreistadt (FC ’89) and David West Reynolds (NA ’84)”

March 2024 Alumni Spotlights: Charlotte Wisman Ipsan (FC ’82) and Ruth Wilthers Heideman (NA ’64)

By: Sherri McKeen Posted on: March 14, 2024March 14, 2024 Posted in: Alumni Alumni Spotlight, Charlotte Ipsam, Floyd Central High School, Kelly Watkins, NAFC Schools, New Albany High School, Ruth Heideman, Wilthers, Wisman

Excerpt from the March 2024 Legacy Ledger: This month’s spotlight features two alumni who have dedicated their nursing careers to taking care of others. For Charlotte Ipsan (FCHS 1982 and 2023 FC Hall of Fame inductee), much of the care is given to directing and supporting the nurses who are working at the bedside. For … Continue reading “March 2024 Alumni Spotlights: Charlotte Wisman Ipsan (FC ’82) and Ruth Wilthers Heideman (NA ’64)”

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