James Bontrager Choir Teacher/Director 1965-96

• Developed a music program that included over 630 students per day and the award-winning J.B. Singers program. His choirs had won numerous awards.

• Wrote Kennedy's school song.

• Bloomington Magazine named him 1983 Mr. Music Man of the Year.

• Nominated for Minnesota Teacher of the Year twice.

• Received congressional recognition for his contribution to education and music in 1996.

• Minnesota's governor issued May 18, 1996 as "Jim Bontrager Day".

• Received the Bloomington Chamber of Commerce "Excellence in Teaching" award in 1983 and 1991.

Kyle Jacobs Graduate (1991)

• Orchestra president, J.B. Singer, National Choral Award winner.

• Won 1998 Gospel Music Assoc. (GMA) Best Songwriter and Best Song awards.

• Co-wrote "8th World Wonder" as recorded by American Idol finalist Kimberly Locke.

• His song, "More Than a Memory" recorded by Garth Brooks became highest debuting single in the history of country music when it entered the chart at #1.

• Today, with over 40 cuts, some of his work includes: Tim McGraw "Still," Trace Adkins "I Can't Outrun You, " Adam Gregory "Crazy Days," Phil Stacey "What I'm Fighting For," and Craig Morgan "If I Had My Way

Lisa Keith Bernard Graduate (1978)

• Member of J.B. Singers.

• Released 1993 solo album "Walking In the Sun" on Perspective Records. Her first single, "Better Than You" peaked at #9 on the Radio and Records chart and went to #36 on the Billboards Hot 100 chart.

• Nominated for 1994 American Music Award for Best New Adult Contemporary Artist.

•Sang background vocals on many records for recording artists such as, Janet Jackson, Amy Grant, and Herb Alpert.

Steve Rushin Graduate (1984)

• 1998 Lake Conference Achievement Award in recognition of outstanding accomplishments in fine arts - journalism.

•Writer for Sports Illustrated 19 years; His 1994 story "How We Got Here" remains the longest ever published in a single issue of Sports Illustrated.

• Wrote the book Road Swing, which was among the Best Books of 1998.

• Awarded the Prix des Medias Olympiques for "excellence in journalism" in the coverage of the 1998 Winter Olympics.

• 2006 National Sportswriter of the Yearby the National Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association.

• His first novel, The Pint Man, will be published by Doubleday in March 2010.

Robert Schmidt  Principal (1986-96 )

• School administrator for 32 years, 29 of which were in Bloomington.

• Recognized as Minnesota Principal of the Year, Prodigy Leadership Award, and Minnesota Education Leader Hall of Fame.

• Received the Lake Conference Leadership Award for creating the new Lake Conference.

• Served on advisory committees for Minnesota governors Ventura and Pawlenty, Minnesota Commissioner of Education, U.S. Department of Education, National Association of Secondary School Principals.

• Served as executive director of the Minnesota Association of Secondary School Principals.

Dohn Thibault Theatre Director 1983-2000

• Chemistry/biology teacher and theatre director

• Directed over 150 plays and/or musicals

• Nominated for 2000 Prodigy Award

• While serving as theatre director at Kennedy, he was able to have three shows each year and an on-stage banquet at the end of the year.

• His one-act teams were always among the best in the Lake Conference, participating in State three times.

• Even after retiring in 2000, he continues to direct and assist our theatre programs.