ARTS AND SCIENCES - Dr. Bonnie Gelly, MD
Bonnie Ammann Gelly graduated as Valedictorian of the class of 1995 from Highland High School and graduated Suma Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree from St. Louis University in 1999. She then entered St. Louis University School of Medicine, earning her Doctor of Medicine, Cum Laude, in 2003. Bonnie received numerous awards and scholarships throughout her schooling and practice in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Advanced Trauma Life Support, Obesity Medicine, CrossFit Coaching, and Neonatal Resuscitation. She also serves on several local hospital boards/committees and volunteers her expertise within the Highland Community.

ARTS AND SCIENCE – Mr. Jeremy Corray
Jeremy Corray is a 1995 graduate of Highland High School and Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. He was one of the first students enrolled in Highland’s Video Production Class and while in college, majoring in Cinema and Photography, he was the director of the student run television station and won several awards, including Director of the Year in 1998 and 1999. He went on to become Asst. Editor at Avatar Studios and Creative Director of World Events Productions where he oversaw approvals of many popular consumer products. In 2013 Jeremy joined Coolfire Studios as EVP of Digital Entertainment where he manages a team creating video strategies for many well-known companies. Jeremy and his family were recently chosen as the face of Missouri tourism VisitMo.com.

BUSINESS – Ms. Pat Jacoby
Pat Jacoby graduated from Highland High school in 1971. She is the owner of Patty Cakes in Highland and is an award-winning cake designer with over 40 years of experience. Her skills in the design of cake stems from a lifetime interest in art and the love of creating something “different”. Creations from Patty Cakes have been featured on numerous St. Louis TV stations and in many publications. She is a two-time undefeated champion of the popular national TV show on TLC’s “Ultimate Cake Off”. Patty is a member of “Icing Smiles”, an organization that provides celebration cakes to families impacted by critical illness.

CAREER PUBLIC SERVICE -Mrs. Shirley Bellm
Shirley graduated from St. Paul High School in 1969. She holds a bachelor’s degree in education from Illinois State University and a master’s degree in special education from Southern Illinois University Edw. She served as a primary and middle school teacher in the Highland School District. Shirley’s school involvement included a number of advisory and participatory committees as well as mentoring new teachers. She was a member of several professional educational organizations and active in the Highland Education Association. Shirley has always been focused on special education and heavily involved in Special Olympics. Throughout her career, she has served on both regional and state organizations. She is also a Certified ISO coach and served as the Region II Special Olympics head coach from 1980-2011.

SPORTS – Mr. Marty Barnes
Marty Barnes graduated from Highland High School in 1968. He then attended John Brown University and graduated in 1972 and later received a graduate degree from Arkansas Tech University. Marty coached basketball. Lots of basketball! For over forty years, 31 as a head coach, at Rogers High School and Russellville High School, where he took both high schools to the Arkansas State Championships. He also spent 12 seasons as head coach at Arkansas Tech University and won four Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference Championships. Barnes coached 910 games as head coach and had 605 victories. Marty has also won an impressive collection of personal awards, including Arkansas Coach of the Year six times, the Northeast Arkansas Charlie Spoonhour Lifetime Achievement Award and at Arkansas Tech University, he was the Arkansas Intercollegiate Coach of the Year four times.

SPORTS- Mr. Simon Weiss
Simon graduated from Highland High School in 1994. He attended Southwest Missouri State University where he had a full soccer scholarship and then transferred to North Carolina State University where he graduated Magna Cum Laude with a degree in Chemistry. In Highland, Simon was in on the ground floor of the Bulldog soccer program in 1986, but also played baseball and basketball. He was named an all-conference player at Southwest Missouri State, but chose to transfer to North Carolina state, the #1 ranked soccer team in the country. Simon started in 33 of 37 games and help lead the Wolfpack to the NCAA semi-finals. Following graduation, Simon played professionally for several years in France, England, Sweden and the US. He is now a credentialed soccer coach with the US Soccer Federation and has a Premier Diploma from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.