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Four Newton High School Alumni were recognized during the 2023 NHS commencement ceremonies.

Nancy (Glover) Craig, 1963 has a history of volunteerism and service. Upon graduating from NHS, Craig went on to K-State where she received her BA in education. Craig taught 1st grade in Kansas City, KS and has served and presided on many boards, including the Newton Recreation Commission, the Kansas Medical Society Alliance, the USD 373 Board of Education, the Prairie View Board and the NMC Health Board where she still currently serves. She is a founding member of the Women’s Community Fund which seeks to give back to Newton area causes. Craig is a past Newton Area Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Citizen of the Year (2013) and a Newton Woman of the Year (1994) and a life-long member of St. Matthews Episcopal Church. Her nominator says, “She is a true example of the servant leader; strong, creative, loving, and willing to work for the greater good.”

Brian Hershberger, 1990 exemplifies how education can take you to new heights. Hershberger received his BS in Aerospace Engineering from Wichita State University in 1995 before going on to receive his MS in Aerospace Engineering from California Polytechnic, Pomona in 2001. Hershberger went to work at Learjet, Inc. following high school as a flight test engineer. Since 1995, Hershberger has been employed by Lockheed Martin Aeronautics in Palmdale, California. Hershberger has worked through the ranks from being a conceptual design engineer to his current role as Director of Air Vehicle Engineering. He volunteers his time and personal plane, with Angel Flight West, an organization that arranges transportation for individuals in need of travel for specialized medical treatment.

Kelly Kindscher, 1975, is well known as a passionate advocate for native plants, native landscapes and wild places. Kindscher has a Bachelor of  Environmental Studies, a Master of Science in Systematics and Ecology and a PhD in Systematics and Ecology, all from the University of Kansas. KU is also where Kindscher is a professor of environmental studies. Kindscher has written or co-written several books which have become standards in the world of academia. Currently Kelly is focusing much of his attention on collecting medicinal plants and searching for ethnobotanical and field data that help support the use of native plants for the KU Native Medicine Plant Research Program. He is one of the founders of the Kansas Land Trust and a current board member. He also is a board member of the Prairie Plains Resource Institute, based in Aurora, Nebraska.
 

Timothy Chambers, 1970 was told as a child growing up in Newton that he “ought to be a lawyer” for his ornery personality. After graduating from NHS, he did just that. Timothy attended Washburn University and Washburn Law School, graduating in the top portion of his class. In his professional career, Chambers was a prosecutor for Reno County for almost 20 years. For most of his tenure he was the County Attorney. Chambers became the 1st District Attorney in Reno County in 1999. In 2001, he was then elected a District Judge for the 27th Judicial District for another 20 years. Chambers prosecuted murderers and drug dealers and advocated for victims throughout his career, keeping Reno County safe. He served on the Kansas Supreme Court and Kansas Court of Appeals as a pro tem and currently serves as pro tem judge in his retirement in Reno and Harvey counties.

The purpose of this award is to recognize outstanding alumni of Newton High School who have distinguished themselves in a significant way since graduating from high school. It may be someone who has had a highly successful career, or has been an outstanding community leader, or has a commendable record of service to others.

For a complete list of past distinguished alumni recipients, visit: t.ly/iOtp