The latest honorees into an alumni hall of fame for Springfield Public Schools includes an author, a broadcast journalist and three members of the Ozark Mountain Daredevils.
In addition to naming its newest hall-of-famers, Springfield Public Schools also announced the members of its newest class of ambassadors.
Hall of Fame inductees named
Members of the Springfield Public Schools Hall of Fame are chosen based on accomplishments in their professions or other marks of distinction. The intent is for them to serve as inspirations for students throughout Springfield.
The latest inductees into the district’s hall of fame include:
- David L. Harrison, an author and philanthropist who has published almost 100 books and earlier this year was named Missouri Poet Laureate. The district said in a press release that his support of literacy and public education was extensive — Harrison Elementary is named after him. He graduated from Central in 1955.
- Daniel E. Arnall, a broadcast journalist who helped envision what would become HTV at Hillcrest. The Emmy Award-winning journalist has held leadership positions at ABC News, Bloomberg Television and NBC News Group. He graduated from Hillcrest in 1992.
- Steve Cash, Randle Chowning and Larry Lee, who were founding members of Ozark Mountain Daredevils. The band signed a recording deal with A&M Records in 1973, then broke out with hits such as “If You Wanna Get to Heaven” and “Jackie Blue.” Cash, who died in 2019, performed with the band for 40 years and also wrote a historical fiction trilogy. He graduated from Parkview in 1964. Lee and Chowning left the Ozark Mountain Daredevils and both moved to Nashville, where they continued to write songs. They graduated from Glendale in 1965 and 1968, respectively.
The inductees will be celebrated during a luncheon set for Oct. 5 at White River Conference Center.
Ambassadors named for upcoming school year
The district also named 26 people who will participate in the SPS Ambassadors program for the 2023-24 school year.
They include Alan Beauchamp, Jessica Bower, Phil Bridges, Alexis Brown, Wes Buchholz, Matt Campbell, Alexis Childs, Hannah Childs, Raymond Crespo, Deanna Diamond, Laurie Edmondson, Addie Ferber, Ivy FItzgerald, Laurie Goslee, Brandy Harris, Stephanie Lewis, Shelli Luke, Bethany Marcol, Beth Mitchell, Hank Molinengo, Katie Phillips, Taryn Raidel, Melissa Rea, Susan Smith, Anna Williams and Alice Wingo.
Organized in conjunction with the Foundation for Springfield Public Schools, the program gives participants an up-close look at the school district’s programs and buildings. Members are chosen from an application process. The Ambassadors program is in its third year.
