Nine inductees into the Aberdeen Central High School Hall of Fame will be honored at a banquet tonight.
Central graduates who made an impact in athletics, academics and fine arts are inducted into the Hall of Fame each homecoming week.
The Hall of Fame festivities begin at 6 p.m., with a social and the banquet starts at 6:30 p.m. at the high school.
Those who do not have tickets are welcome to buy a ticket at the door, said Gretchen Sharp, Aberdeen Public Schools Foundation director. Tickets cost $35.
Academic
Robert Gates is a Golden Eagle who really got some wings.
The former pilot was a squadron commander in the invasion of Normandy during World War II and a commander in the 1st Special Operations Wing during the Vietnam War. He has flown as a transport, fighter and bomber pilot.
He traveled back to Aberdeen for the banquet from Fort Walton Beach, Fla., where he was previously the mayor, with his daughter, Kathleen Ard, and grandson, Trevor Ard.
"It's a wonderful treat to see the town I grew up in is still doing fantastic things," he said.
During his time as a pilot, he flew Bob Hope and his troupe during various USO tours. His relationship with Hope continued through the rest of Hope's life.
Gates, 93, a decorated war veteran, said the induction to the Hall of Fame is different from other awards because of the hometown connection.
"I am very proud that this should happen to me," he said.
A graduate of the class of 1936, he said going down Main Street brought back many memories.
"It's hard to describe, but I love being back where it all started," he said. "I have sweet memories of my parents, their funeral home and hunting pheasants."
Other academic inductees are: Dr. David Hurrell, class of 1981; and Sister Ann Kessler, class of 1945.
Fine arts
Michael Coyne, class of 1962, became a distinguished music educator during his time as band and choral director at Hoven High School, but he initially quit band class in the seventh grade.
"I just was not interested in drum pads and sticks at that time," he said.
By the time he chose to play the trumpet, he was a few years behind other band students. Former Central High School band director Orville Evenson helped him get up to speed, though.
"He was the defining influence for me to continue to pursue music," Coyne said. "That's what got me started and perked my interest."
Coyne went on to major in music education at Northern State University and got the job in Hoven right after graduation. It was his first and only job in the field.
In Hoven, he developed a marching band program and fielded successful concert choirs and bands that consistently earned Division I ratings at regional music contests.
During his career, he was been named the South Dakota Bandmaster of the Year and was given the Distinguished Service to Music award by the South Dakota Music Educators Association.
"I was elated when I found out I was being inducted because it was coming from my high school alma mater," Coyne said. "I really felt very honored to receive an award like this."
Now retired, Coyne stays involved with music by organizing the choral portion of the Cathedral of the Prairies Christmas concert.
Other fine arts inductees are: Cathleen Britton, class of 1970, and the late Frances McBane, class of 1943. McBane's daughter Wendy is accepting on her behalf.
Athletics
Rebecca Goodman believes you can take the girl out of Central High School, but not the blue and gold out the girl.
During her time at Central, the 1999 grad was a track and field and basketball standout.
After her time at Central, Goodman continued running at the University of North Dakota. She is involved with the New York Road Runners and has run in several marathons. She is training for the Chicago Marathon this October.
Goodman said the lessons she learned as a student-athlete have helped her career.
"I learned to be aggressive, proactive, reactive and was given the confidence to go out in the world," she said. "Determination and perseverance is what you learn in athletics."
She works in New York City as a director of licensing for Kenneth Cole, a clothing designer. She said coming back to Aberdeen reminds her of why she loves the school so much.
"There's something to be said about being a Golden Eagle and knowing the community, the school and the history of everything," Goodman said. "I'm proud to say that I'm from Aberdeen, South Dakota, and that I was a Golden Eagle."
She was surprised, honored and humbled to be named to this year's Hall of Fame class.
"I'm being inducted with two great men who I've known since I was young," she said of her fellow athletics inductees.
While the inductees span classes of different decades, Goodman said they all had the same Central experience.
"It shapes who you are for the next step in your life," she said.
Other athletics inductees are: Curt Fredrickson, class of 1970, and Bob Olson, class of 1973.