EHS Hall of Fame – 2014 Inductees

The following six individuals have been selected to the Waterloo East High Hall of Fame for 2014. The East High Hall of Fame honors people who have graduated from East High that have distinguished themselves through their achievements, service, and contributions to both East High and the community in which they have lived.

 

This year there were a number of outstanding nominations. The six individuals selected will be honored in a ceremony to be held at Waterloo Memorial Stadium on Friday, September 12^th. The ceremony will take place at halftime of the Homecoming football game vs. Dubuque Hempstead.

Ray Grant – Class of ‘79

Professor Ray Grant is a creative writing professor, stand-up comedian and published poet. Professor Grant’s love of writing actually started in a creative writing class he took at East High School. Upon graduation, he went on to The University of Iowa earning a BA degree in English (1983) and a Masters degree (MFA) in poetry from The University of Iowa’s Writers Workshop (1986). He taught three years at Tuskegee University and eleven years at Spelman College.

 

While teaching he began his comedy career and in 1993, making his TV debut on HBO’s Comedy Def Jam hosted by Steve Harvey. He later showcased his comedic talents on BET’s Comic View hosted by Ricky Smiley. Professor Ray Grant is also a punch-up writer for comedian Chris Tucker, with his works seen on such movies as Rush Hour 3. In addition movie writing, he has done song writing with one of his most famous works for American Idol during Season 5. He’s performed spoken word on TVOne’s Verses & Flow with fellow Iowan actor Hill Harper, singer Angie Stone, and rapper Bone Crusher. Ray Grant is married, a father of two and is currently a Hollywood film writer and producer.

Barbara Norman – Class of ‘63

After graduating from Waterloo East in 1963, Barbara Norman continued her education at the University of Northern Iowa and then went on to attain degrees at both the University of Iowa and Columbia University. She eventually began her communications career in 1972, at KWWL-TV in Waterloo, IA as both the first woman and first female African American reporter. Barbara advanced her career as Reporter/Talk Show Host and Producer at ABC-TV in Moline, IL.

 

During her stint as General Manager at KUCB/FM Radio, Des Moines, IA she raised initial funding and managed the operation of the radio station from inception to broadcast. Barbara is a recognized communications and conference development leader known for crafting media messages and publicity event vehicles. She provided leadership to several social and logistical teams for major national conferences. Barbara has served in roles as diverse as Director of Cable TV for Cook County in Chicago, IL, where she organized and built the station from inception to on-air production in 1997. Barbara’s additional successes include: Planner in Cook County Department of Planning and Development and Press Aide to the Cook County State’s Attorney.

Marla Padget – Class of ‘80

As a student, Marla was a member of the swimming and tennis teams. She participated in the annual Swing Show and was on the yearbook staff and a member of the National Honor Society. After graduation Marla went on to the University of Northern Iowa and earned her BA. She returned to East High to teach for several years in the Social Studies Department. As a teacher at East High she was honored to receive “The Gold Star Award for Outstanding Teaching.” During this time she also returned to UNI and earned her MA.

 

After receiving her MA she went on to be the Assistant Principal and Athletic Director at Central Middle School for four years and then spent eight years as their principal. In 2012 she was honored to return to East High as their Principal where she remains employed today. Marla is married to her husband John and they have two sons, Brandon and Arthur, and a daughter-in-law Morgan.

Robert Savereide – Class of ‘62

Robert L. Savereide was the Waterloo East senior class president of the Class of 1962. His high school activities included Junior Council, Senior Council, Student Council, Social Committee co-chairman, Olympiad Club president, varsity baseball, and Letterman’s Club. He played in the state championship baseball tournament his senior year and earned distinction as first team all-conference. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Iowa in 1966 and a Doctor of Medicine degree from the Stritch School of Medicine of Loyola University, Chicago in 1970. He completed a surgical residency at Loyola University Hospitals in Chicago in 1978 despite being diagnosed and treated for a Stage 4 non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 1976-1977. In June 1978 his peers awarded him the highest honor given a senior surgical resident: the Charles Puestow Surgical Society’s Kaiser Award.

 

In July 1978 Dr. Savereide returned to the Cedar Valley and joined the staff of Sartori Hospital in Cedar Falls as a general surgeon certified by the American Board of Surgery. In 1982, Dr. Savereide received distinction as a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. In the early 1990s, Dr. Savereide joined Covenant Clinic as a staff general surgeon. His leadership roles at Covenant have included Chief of Surgery, Chief of Trauma, Executive Committee, and Credentials Committee. He has played a major role in developing a breast clinic that is certified by the American Society of Breast Surgeons. He has been performing laparoscopic surgery since 1991 and most recently has been doing robotic procedures. He continues to work full-time as a general surgeon in the Cedar Valley. His community service includes leadership roles at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Cedar Falls and a member of the Iowa State University Parents Advisory Board.

Sue Savereide – Class of ‘62

Sue Savereide was the valedictorian of the Class of 1962, graduating with a 4.00 GPA. Her high school activities included: editor of the Orange & Black newspaper, Orange Girl, Student Council vice-president, and Olympiad Club vice-president. She was named to the Iowa High School All-State Newspaper Staff and placed first in editorial writing and column writing. She graduated magna cum laude from State College of Iowa in 1966 and was awarded the Purple & Gold Award “for meritorious scholarship in English.” She taught English and journalism in Riverside, Illinois from 1966-1970. She received her Master of Arts degree from the University of Northern Iowa in 1989 and was a tenured instructor at UNI in the Department of Teaching. She taught language arts at Northern University High School from 1989-1996.

 

Her community service in the Cedar Valley included serving on boards of the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Symphony Guild, the Salvation Army of Waterloo/Cedar Falls, the Sartori Hospital Healthcare Foundation, and the Sartori Hospital Auxiliary. She served a record 7 terms as senior warden of the St. Luke’s Episcopal Church vestry in Cedar Falls. She served on the Iowa State University Parents Advisory Board. In recognition of her service, she received the Cedar Valley Mayors’ Volunteer Performance Award in 1988 and the Downtown Waterloo Rotary Service Above Self Award in 2010.

Paul Wurtz – Class of ‘83

As a student, Paul was active on the golf team at East High School. Paul’s love of golf has continued throughout his adult life as he won the Amateur Division of the Waterloo Open in 1995 and has had other top finishes in the Waterloo Open over his golfing career. Paul has been a member of the Swingers Golf Club, which aids disadvantaged kids in the Cedar Valley.

 

In 1993 Paul was awarded the Cedar Falls Citizen of the Year Award for outstanding support of the police department for reduction of criminal activities within the city. Currently, Paul is a member of the Board of Adjustments for the City of Elk Run Heights and a member of the Staff Parish Relationship Committee at his Church. He is also a member of the Building and Grounds Committee for the Gilbertville Depot which meets to determine the necessary steps in preserving and enhancing this historical site.

 

Paul is currently a Senior Medical and Life Science Specialist for Airgas USA where he was awarded Medical Specialist of the year in 2008. Paul has been at Airgas almost 23 years and is proud of his contributions to health care not only in the Cedar Valley, but in the state of Iowa. Paul currently partners with an unbelievable 95% of medical facilities in Iowa. Paul’s number one concern over the years has been patient care and making sure that his partner facilities have what is required to care for their patients.