High Plains Community School held its annual Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony during the basketball game against East Butler, recognizing individuals and a team whose impact continues to resonate within their communities. Inductees and their families traveled from near and far to take part in the celebration, a moment that was both sentimental and inspiring.

For this year’s Hall of Fame class, HPC honored Dr. Richard “Dick” Johnson from the Hordville class of 1958, Max Kroger from the Polk class of 1964, and Jerry Pollard from the Clarks class of 1972. Additionally, the 1993 Clarks Bombers Girls Track and Field State Champions were inducted as a team, solidifying their legacy in school history.

A Ceremony of Celebration

The event began with a gathering in the art room, where inductees and their families were served coffee, water, and cookies while reminiscing about their high school days. The official induction ceremony was held between the girls’ and boys’ basketball games, where Superintendent Jason Brown spoke about each honoree. A podium and a table displaying the glass plaques were set up at center court, with inductees and their families covering nearly half of the gym floor.

Remembering Jerry Pollard

Clarks’ inductee, Jerry Pollard, was honored posthumously, as he passed away in 2020. His wife, Marti Pollard, accepted the plaque on his behalf. Jerry was born to Asa and Roma Pollard and grew up in Clarks, where he dedicated himself to track, wrestling, football, and basketball. His athletic excellence saw him achieve runner-up finishes in both track and wrestling at the state level, and he played a key role in his teams winning multiple conference and state championships.

After high school, Jerry earned a football scholarship to the University of South Dakota, where he played from 1971 to 1974. He later became a social studies teacher and coach at Norfolk Catholic High School before returning to the University of South Dakota to study law in 1979. He practiced law in Yankton, South Dakota, for 36 years, becoming a respected member of the South Dakota Bar Association, Nebraska Bar Association, Rosebud Sioux Tribal Court, and Yankton County Bar Association.

In 2017, the Rosebud Sioux Tribe honored Jerry for his dedication and advocacy for tribal members. His legacy lives on through his wife, three children, and seven grandchildren—one of whom attended the ceremony proudly wearing Jerry’s old letter jacket.

Dr. Richard “Dick” Johnson: A Lifetime of Dedication

Hordville’s inductee, Dr. Richard “Dick” Johnson, graduated in 1958 and made a lasting impact both in athletics and veterinary medicine. Raised on the family farm west of Hordville, he was a standout in basketball, track and field, and baseball. He was named to the second All-State Basketball Team in Class D and earned “Player of the Week” honors after scoring 39 points in a game. Academically, he was valedictorian of his class.

Johnson recalled his formative years at Hordville High, saying, “Hordville was a very small school at that time. I had four people in my class. The class behind me had two people. So we knew everybody, and we were all pals. That was something I really liked about going to a small school like that.”

His veterinary career began with a childhood moment—after discovering a calf with a broken leg, he knew he wanted to dedicate his life to caring for animals. Once he graduated high school, he enrolled in Kansas State University (formerly known as Kansas State College) and pursued pre-veterinary medicine. After two years, he was accepted into KSU’s School of Veterinary Medicine.

To fund his education, he took on multiple jobs, including construction work, stocking groceries, and milking the university dairy herd at 2 a.m. Despite the challenges, he persevered, eventually graduating and beginning his veterinary career at a large animal clinic in Geneva, Nebraska. Shortly after, Central City Veterinary Clinic offered him a position. After much deliberation with his wife, Nancy, he accepted, officially joining the practice on February 1, 1965.

For nearly 49 years, Dick devoted himself to treating both large livestock and companion animals. His work extended far beyond Central City, providing services to producers in Chapman, Palmer, Clarks, Stromsburg, Polk, Hordville, and Marquette. He developed a comprehensive Herd Health Program for swine and cattle producers, outlining complete care strategies for their livestock.

Beyond veterinary work, Dick played a vital role in community service. He was involved in events such as Polk Bean Days, where he even dressed as Santa Claus one year. He served as president of the Central City Area Chamber of Commerce, helped found the Merrick County Fitness Center, and contributed to the Merrick County Development Corporation.

His contributions to veterinary medicine were recognized at a state level. He was a longtime member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Nebraska Veterinary Medical Association, and the American Bovine Practitioners Association. He also played a role in establishing the Nebraska Veterinary Scholarship Board and continued serving on it for many years. In 2008, he and Nancy established the C. Richard and Nancy B. Johnson Scholarship, a fund supporting veterinary students from Nebraska.

Dick credits much of his success to his wife, Nancy, saying, “It would not have happened without her.” The couple recently celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary, and their four children all live within 60 miles of Central City. They have eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Max Kroger: A Life of Athletics and Leadership

Polk’s inductee, Max Kroger, was a four-year letterman in football and basketball, earning the title of Polk High School’s All-Sports King as a senior. The close-knit community of Polk shaped him, particularly after losing his father at age 12. His perseverance led to a four-year athletic scholarship at Sioux Falls College, where he competed in football, basketball, track, and golf.

Max’s athletic career extended beyond college—he even spent time with the Dallas Cowboys before shifting his focus to education and community service. He began as an activities director at the Youth Development Center in Kearney before serving as a K-12 principal and athletic director in Bern, Kansas. Later, he became a high school principal in Valley Center before returning home to Polk, where he managed the Co-op grain elevator, coached softball, served on the school board, and volunteered with the Polk Fire Department.

His passion for education saw him return to administration, becoming a principal and superintendent at South Platte Public School in Big Springs, followed by serving as superintendent at Ord Public Schools. Even in retirement in Lincoln, he remains active in mentoring programs, continuing his legacy of leadership.

Honoring the 1993 Clarks Girls Track Champions

The final inductees of the evening were the 1993 Clarks Bombers Girls Track Team, state champions in a dominant season. Five of the original ten members—Brenda Dostal, Molly Meister, Carla Lauenstein, Tennille Lindgreen, and Connie Prososki—were in attendance, along with assistant coach Norm Manstedt. Head coach Don Wolford and the remaining team members were unable to attend but were honored in spirit.

“I love seeing everyone again,” Meister said. “One of my best high school memories was being with this amazing track team.”

The team was a force in 1993, winning nearly every meet they competed in, except for a second-place finish in Stromsburg. Every athlete played a crucial role in their championship journey, making them a perfect addition to the Hall of Fame.

A Lasting Legacy

After the ceremony, families gathered in the lobby to take photos and see the HPC Hall of Fame plaques displayed on the wall. The digital biography display will soon be updated with the newest inductees.

The Hall of Fame exists thanks to the efforts of Ric Ferguson and the HPC Hall of Fame Committee, which continues its mission of recognizing former students of Hordville, Polk, and Clarks who have gone on to achieve remarkable things.

Their stories, filled with dedication, perseverance, and community service, now serve as inspiration for the next generation.