These outstanding individuals have left a lasting impact on our Saber community, and we can’t wait to celebrate them! Join us after the Homecoming Parade on Thursday, Sept. 25th at 7 p.m. in the Central DeWitt Performing Arts Center as we honor them. Can’t be there in person? Catch the ceremony live here: https://youtube.com/live/3wpHewEpnv8?feature=share
2025 INDUCTEES:
JOHN BLOOM: Born in 1906, John Bloom, a world-famous artist, grew up in DeWitt and studied at St. Ambrose University and the Chicago Art Institute. He trained under Grant Wood at the Stone City Art Colony, helping pioneer the Regionalism Art movement celebrating rural American life. There he met sculptor Isabel (Scherer) Bloom, and they were married for 63 years. He continued creating sketches, lithographs, and wood carvings throughout his life.
GEORGE DIXON: George Dixon and his wife Joane moved to our community in 1983 and quickly made a lasting impact. In 1991, George founded the Central DeWitt Chapter of the FCA, leading with prayer and song. What began with six students grew to 200 by 1999. His dedication to youth and the community earned him numerous honors, including the 1995 AAUW Spirit Award, Liberty Bell Award, Faith in Action Award, and a 1994 National Caring Award nomination.
COLLEEN DUNNEGAN: 1999 graduate Colleen Dunnegan has become a leading professional in her field. In high school, she excelled academically and was active in NHS, FCA, Chorus, Band, and the first Central Sensations Dance Team. After graduating from St. Ambrose University, she joined HARPO Productions and is now Supervising Producer for Oprah Winfrey, earning five Emmy nominations and winning a 2024 Daytime Emmy for the “Oprah and the Color Purple Journey."
ERIC PERRY: 1990 graduate Eric Perry was a standout 4-sport athlete in high school. Since 1997, he has had an extraordinary teaching and coaching career at Clear Lake High School, leading football, wrestling, and golf teams to numerous state-level successes, including a 2000 State Championship in football. A 4-time IAHSGCA Coach of the Year and NFHS Sectional National Coach of the Year, he has amassed a career record of 1,195–276.
GEORGE PICKUP: George Pickup has had a profound impact on Central DeWitt, always focused on student success. He earned a degree in Secondary Education from ISU and an MA in Educational Leadership from Western Illinois. Over a 38-year career, he taught Social Sciences, coached multiple sports—including leading Boys Basketball to a 2005 WAMAC Championship and the 2007 State Team—and served as Assistant Principal and then High School Principal for 17 years.
1986-1987-1988 STATE CHAMPION CO-ED GOLF TEAMS: In an unprecedented run, Heather (Deke) Kinney, Dave Rueter, and Mike Howes led Central DeWitt to three consecutive Co-Ed State Golf Championships from 1986–1988—the first and only program to achieve this feat in Iowa. Heather and Dave won in 1986 and 1987 after dramatic playoffs, and in 1988, Heather and Mike secured the 3-peat under the new alternate-shot format, cementing their place in Iowa high school golf history.
2014 STATE RUNNER-UP BOYS BASKETBALL TEAM: The 2013–14 Sabers basketball team, led by Coach Jeff Frick and seniors Zach Frett, Trevor Green, Kyle Bauer, Christian Wright, Marty Green, and Matt Moore, had a historic season. They went undefeated in WaMaC play (14-0), won the District 9 Championship, and finished as Class 3A State Runner-up with a 23-4 record. Kyle Bauer set the school’s single-season scoring record (421), Christian Wright led in rebounds, and the program earned the 3A State Sportsmanship Award.
Head Coach: Jeff Frick
Assistant Coaches: Michael Ernst, Kale Petersen, Jason Guerin
Players: Kyle Bauer, Ryan Burke, Cole Connell, Jordan Cornelius, Lucas Daniels, Zach Edens, Zach Frett, Marty Green, Trevor Green, James Grell, Derek Hartmann, Joe Hill, Garrett Jacobs, Tyler Ketelsen, Matt Moore, Nolan Muhl, Nick Riedesel, Logan Sheppard, John Stammeyer, McClain Steffens, Chase Spies
Managers: Mollie McCulloh, Lexi Delaney, Emily Vargus, Jesse Hair