BGM’s Hall of Pride brings prominence to area students’ achievements

   Gary Schroeder, center, a now retired BGM teacher, coach and athletic director, turned historian/archivist/curator, shares with Margery Kleiss DeVilder, a 1962 BGM graduate, and others about the BGM Hall of Pride project he oversees during an alumni event at the school in 2023. Schroeder started the project in 2010. The Hall of Pride features 374 graduates of BGM, Brooklyn High School and schools in Malcom and Guernsey. Forty more posters of student achievements are being added in the near future. Schroeder’s goal is to feature 600 students.

By J.O. Parker
 
     What started more than a dozen years ago as a project to honor students’ achievements at BGM and former neighboring schools, continues to bring enjoyment and pride to graduates, teachers and the community to this day.
       The BGM Hall of Pride, which is located in the hallway near the elementary kitchen and gym, was founded in 2010 by former BGM teacher, coach and athletic director, turned historian/archivist/curator, Gary Schroeder.
     The Hall of Pride currently features 374 posters of graduates of BGM, Brooklyn High School and former schools in Malcom and Guernsey with another 40 slated to be added soon.
      The goal is to feature 600 graduates of these schools before completing the project.
    The oldest student featured in the Hall of Pride is actually four athletes and graduates of Malcom High School in 1906. They are Walter Vogel, Forest Carpenter, Carl Gilliand and Guy Early.
     “I discovered them on the Iowa High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) website,” said Schroeder. “They participated in the first sanctioned state track meet that year. There were no qualifying requirements at that time, so one could enter as many events as they wanted to.”
       The most recent addition to the Hall of Pride is Chloe Etten, a 140-pound state qualifying wrestler in 2023.
       When asked how it all started, Schroeder said it was the combination of three things.
      First, Schroeder said, as athletic director at BGM, he was always interested in how area schools honored their students’ achievements.
      “At the time, BGM had nothing displaying individual, group or team efforts other than trophies/plaques,” noted Schroeder.
      Secondly, Schroeder said in order to earn the title of Certified Master Athletic Administrator (CMAA), he was required to submit a project and have it approved by the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA).
        “I chose to initiate a Hall of Pride,” he said.
      And lastly, while reading a 2010 IHSAA magazine, Schroeder saw a story recognizing North Cedar’s CSD unveiling of a Memorial Wall of Fame in honor of Ashley Himes, a student-athlete who died of cancer in 2009.
“Financing for their wall displays came from her memorial fund,” said Schroeder. “I visited North Cedar to look at specifications. Their wall is displayed at North Cedar’s middle school in Clarence.”
      All student and team photos in the Hall of Pride are featured in 10x13 black frames. They are strategically placed by: male vs. female; black & white vs. color; team vs. individual; various activities and various decades.
The Hall of Pride features students who were recognized on the state level. This includes all sports, all-state band, all-state chorus, drama, speech, dance, cheerleading, FFA and more.
      In addition, the Hall of Pride features a section that honors BGM graduates who have earned All-American status at a post graduate college or university. This includes: Kyle Gritsch, football; Jeff DeVilder, track; Gerardus “Geert” Boelen, cross country; and Hueston Holder, swimming. Also featured are two hall of fame inductees: Jill Hulsing, softball; and Corwin “Corky” Stuart, wrestling. Dick Pollitt, track and cross country, is slated to be added soon.
       Schroeder said he wanted to include all sports and activities in the Hall of Pride and not just one area.
      “Who is to say one activity has more clout than the others,” he said. “I hear from parents all the time how much they appreciate the hall not just recognizing athletics.”
      Five districts are represented in the Hall of Pride and are color coded. This includes: Brooklyn Bears – Red; Guernsey Hawks – Orange; Malcom Eagles – White; BGM Bears – Blue; and Shared – Green: Grinnell, Montezuma and HLV.
      When asked why the Hall of Pride and not the Hall of Fame, Schroeder said the word Fame, in his opinion, is self-serving and does not represent the majority of students’ accomplishments.
     “Fame is great for representing a state champion or runner-up,” he said. “Think about this – student(s) work hard for an event and qualify for the state track meet and ends up 24th out of 24 places. There is no admirable fame in that, but if they gave it their all, there is pride and honor as an end result. Let’s recognize his/her effort to get to state in the first place.”
      Schroeder estimates that he has spent about 500 hours on research and building the Hall of Pride, saying that is a very conservative number. 
     “I will continue to research and update until I can’t,” said Schroeder. “Currently, I doubt there is anyone interested in furthering this project. All the documentation is 100 percent up to date, so that is not a problem.”
    When asked how he finds names of students to feature in the Hall of Pride, Schroeder said he has researched yearbooks, newspaper articles, micro-film, personal interviews, submitted photos, etc.
     “I spent a couple afternoons at the IGHSAU (The Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union) office looking at their files,” he said.
     “The IGHSAU also put out their own yearbooks in the late 50’s and early 60’s,” he added. “The IHSAA now has nearly all their programs and supplemental bulletins on line also.”
     When asked what he enjoys the most about working on the Hall of Pride, Schroeder said he likens it to antique hunting and finding that surprise he never would have guessed would be found.
    “Like Guernsey having 11 All-State girl basketball players,” he said. “Also, just hearing the positive comments from people that have viewed themselves on the wall, some not even knowing their accomplishment(s). That is most gratifying and appreciative to me.”
     Schroeder was athletic director, health and PE instructor and volleyball coach and also taught K-12 art during his 21-year career at BGM. He retired in 2015 after 40-years in education.
Contributions and project funding
      Hall of Pride project contributions have come from Cory Hall Photography (posters); Corky Stuart and Ray Holder (construction); and Curtis Creps (drill loan). Schroeder also noted that Josh Gerard, the Brooklyn Librarian, has loaned items to the Hall of Pride.
     Monetary supplements for the Hall of Pride have come from the BGM School District, BGM Bear Backers Booster Club, Poweshiek County Alliance, Brooklyn Ruritan Club and private donations.
     Schroeder said he is currently raising funds to keep the Hall of Pride updated. He needs about $2,250 to purchase frames and work toward completion of the project.
     “Donations are much appreciated,” he said. “Those can be sent to BGM schools in the name of Hall of Pride or to me personally. Donations cover the cost of frames, printing, and design consultation/documentation for the photo posters and my research time and efforts.”
       For more information, check out BGM Hall of Pride on Facebook.