Wall of Fame
This tradition began in 2013 as a way to acknowledge, recognize, and celebrate outstanding Wildcat alumni who have set a standard of excellence for future Wildcats to follow.
2021 Wall of Fame DinnerTBD |
Inducted | 2018 |
MaryJo Douglass Teacher 1995 - 2015 Inducted 2018 | |
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MaryJo Douglass spent 20 years teaching at West, ever dedicated to her profession, her school, and her students. One of the original staff members when Normal West opened, Mary Jo helped develop the culture of the Science Department. Her commitment to her profession and students was unlimited. MaryJo's vast scientific knowledge allowed her to teach all disciplines, Biology, Chemistry & Physics, during her tenure. Demonstrating lifelong learning, she learned Calculus prior to her retirement to better serve her AP students. As a colleague, she was instrumental in maintaining science equipment so all teachers would have the best resources to help students learn. MaryJo's dedication to Normal West staff and students continued outside of the classroom, where she served as C.A.R.E.S. case manager for struggling students, became a founding member of the Freshman Mentor Program and volunteered her time to the softball team. Though retired from teaching, MaryJo continues to serve West by regularly returning to help her former colleagues repair and model effective use of laboratory equipment. She also continues to work with struggling students and mentor current staff members, sharing her expertise with all who welcome it. As a Wildcat, MaryJo Douglass impacted countless students and teachers. Her dedication and selflessness left an indelible mark on all who had the opportunity to know her. MaryJo has been, and continues to be, one of the most influential teachers for Normal Community West High School. |
Brock Stewart Class of 2010 Inducted 2018 | |
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In 2010, Brock Stewart graduated from Normal West after earning all-conference recognition in baseball as a sophomore, junior, and senior. Brock set the single season batting average record as a junior (.506) and was named one of the nation’s Top 10 middle infield prospects at the East Coast Professional Showcase. He led his Wildcat teams to Big 12 Conference Championships in 2008, 2009, and 2010. Brock was eventually drafted out of Normal West as a shortstop by the New York Mets in 2010, but chose to continue his baseball career at Illinois State University instead. In June 2014, Brock was later drafted in the 5th round as a pitcher by the Los Angeles Dodgers. In Stewart’s 3rd year of professional baseball, he experienced a dramatic rise from Class A, AA, AAA, and into his big league debut against the Milwaukee Brewers on June 29th, 2016. In 2016, Stewart was also honored at Dodger stadium as their Minor League Pitcher of the Year. Brock participated in the 2017 World Series with the LA Dodgers. He continues to give back to the community through his generous contributions to local organizations. Brock annually donates to the Wildcat baseball program and has spoken to West classes about his training regiment and nutrition routines during his off- and on- season training. Brock provides students a real example of personal and professional growth. During his time at West and now as a professional baseball player, Brock embodies what it means to be “Once a Wildcat...Always a Wildcat.” |
Doc Enderlin Teacher 1999 - 2017 Inducted 2018 | |
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Dr. Kevin “Doc” Enderlin retired from Normal West in 2017. Without a doubt, Doc has left legacy of excellence in Agricultural Education at Unit 5. Early on in his career, he was named the Regional Outstanding Vocational Teacher. To say that Doc was an ambassador for Agriculture Education is an understatement. When Doc came to West in its first year, he coined the phrase “Ag Rocks” which became a mantra throughout the entire school. In 2008, he volunteered to travel to N.C.H.S. during the school day to reestablish their agriculture program. He would teach 5 classes at Normal West, travel on a prep period, and teach a section of agriculture at N.C.H.S. Soon, it grew into two sections which led him to travel during his lunch and teach during both prep periods. Doc did this to ensure the growth of Agriculture Education in Unit 5 and that students could take these classes at both schools. Doc’s passion and perseverance paid off with student success in both local and state Agricultural classes and leadership. He has inspired countless students get involved in Agriculture education, to become members of F.F.A., and even to enter careers in Agriculture. He established and maintained fundraisers, field trips opportunities, and curricular programs that have and will continue to serve students long after his retirement. Doc’s legacy at Normal West goes far beyond Agriculture Education however. He was an active collaborator with a variety of colleagues working on many projects, initiatives, activities, and fundraisers that expanded learning opportunities for kids. Whether he was driving the bus for 4-H activities, providing the entire staff with pumpkins each fall, making his famous deer chili, cooking pork chops for the Veterans Day dinner, or helping his students landscape at Normal West, Doc was was having fun and always made it a Great Day to Be a Wildcat. |
Inducted | 2017 |
Jared O'Brien CLass of 2006 Inducted 2017 |
In the fall of 2001, Jared O’Brien approached Normal West Varsity Baseball coach Chris Hawkins having been the Varsity Basketball manager and asked where he could get a Wildcat baseball cap. Coach Hawkins told him if he would be his manager in the spring, he would give him one. Jared became the baseball team manager in the spring of 2002 and he’s never left. Today he does not miss a game. Jared is a fixture on the sidelines. His jobs vary from running scoreboard, travelling with the medical kit and being the #1 backer of West baseball at all home and road games. In addition, he became a team manager on the Varsity Football team during his sophomore year and has fulfilled that position ever since. To say that he is a loyal fan of Wildcat sports is an understatement. In describing Jared, Normal West Varsity Football coach Darren Hess explained that “he represents what we’re all about as a school.” To know Jared O’Brien is to love him. Coach Hawkins adds that “he has a smile that melts your heart and a sense of humor that can make you buckle over in tears.” Over the years he has also become an ISU Redbird fan and there’s no doubt that he is ISU’s biggest fan. However, if it ever came down to a Wildcat sporting event or an ISU game, he always chooses the Wildcats! |
Kim (Behrens) Kaufman Class of 2004 Inducted 2017 |
Kim Kaufman exemplifies the power of communication and its ability to improve lives, give people a voice, and change communities for the better. Kim has spent the majority of her life using communication for the betterment of herself and others. As a member of the speech team at West, Kim was a two-time state qualifier and served as a leader and peer coach for the team. She was also an active participant in the musical as well as the theatre program where she was a member of the state qualifying cast of The Diary of Anne Frank. During her years at Normal West, she also played tennis, sang in the choir and jazz voices, and represented the very best of the school. Kim went on to study communications at Illinois State University where she graduated summa cum laude and was a Robert G. Bone Scholar. Since that time Kim has used communications to inspire and impact others from working at Walt Disney World to her time at WMBD, Children’s Hospital of Illinois, and State Farm. As an active participant in Toastmasters, Kim reached a new pinnacle in 2016 when she competed in the Toastmasters International World Championship of public speaking and was named among the top ten speakers in the world. |
Inducted | 2016 |
Kathy Smalley School Counselor 1995 - 2006 Inducted 2016 | |
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Kathy Smalley was a brilliant school counselor who performed her complex duties with distinction. Due to Kathy’s natural leadership ability, passion for the welfare of students, boundless energy, and extraordinary interpersonal skills, she was a driving force behind the creation of a “student first, solutions oriented” counseling department at Normal West. Her support of students in crisis was tireless. She was equally effective with all types of learners and was a “go-to” resource for teachers and staff members in need of support or assistance. Her legendary organizational abilities and “can-do”, creative spirit were often called upon by administrators and faculty to solve school problems that went beyond the scope of her personal duties or departmental function. Kathy Smalley played a foundational role in creating the school community that is Normal West today. Her vision was to create at Normal West a school that was truly a home, a place where all were accepted, loved, and supported. She exemplified a school culture in which every student, parent, and colleague was treated with dignity and respect. Kathy Smalley left a lasting legacy at Normal West. She positively impacted all who worked with her and made the lives of all she touched better. |
Inducted | 2015 |
Nathan Stark Class of 2008 Inducted 2015 | |
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Nathan Stark has been an actor his whole life, first appearing on stage at the age of four. He spent his early years on stage at Illinois State University, Illinois Wesleyan University, and Normal West. As a member of two of Normal West's state-qualifying IHSA Contest Plays, Nathan was name to the All-Sectional and All-State casts. In addition to his involvement in Theatre at Normal West, Nathan ran on the Cross Country Team, qualified for State in Dramatic Duet Acting on Speech Team, won King of Hearts, and was an outstanding student in the classroom. Nathan exemplified the best of Normal West throughout his four years. He went on to study Theatre at Ball State and graduated in 2012 with a BFA in acting. Throughout college Nathan worked professionally with both Notre Dame Shakespeare Festival and the Illinois Shakespeare Festival. Upon his graduation, Nathan moved to New York where he has continued to work as a professional actor with a recurring role on The Good Wife on CBS, co-starring in The Following on Fox, and acting in television, films, and commercials. In 2013 Nathan made his Broadway debut at the Lincoln Center Theatre as Fleance in Macbeth directed by Jack O'Brein. |
Steve Mintus Teacher 1995 - 2015 Inducted 2015 | |
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Before retiring in 2015, Steve Mintus was a teacher, coach and administrator at West for 20 years. An original faculty member, he helped lead and establish the culture of care and dedication to students West faculty are known. Through action and example both in and out of the classroom, his lasting impact can be seen in the thousands of lives he has touched in the Bloomington/Normal community. Whether it was the hours he put in planning and delivering creative content to students such as the Truman Trials; his time working individually with basketball players to not only make them better, but to make them better people; his visits to the homes of students and their families who needed extra interventions to get them across the stage and graduated; he worked tirelessly to make West a better place. His greatest attribute was that he never really worked as a matter of intention, but rather as a matter of his nature. He always placed others needs above his own, teaching all who worked with him, by example, what ‘service before self’ truly means. He is the epitome of the word mentor. Steve has truly set the bar for others to aspire in and out of school. |
Tyler Ross Class of 2013 Inducted 2015 | |
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Tyler Ross exemplified excellence both in and out of the classroom during his four years at Normal West. He is Normal West’s most decorated speech team member to date. As a four year State and National qualifier, NSDA semi-finalist in Expository Speaking and Top 30 in International Extemporaneous Speaking, and the 2013 Greater Illinois NSDA District Student of the Year, Tyler raised the bar for competitive speech at Normal West. In February of 2013, Tyler became Normal West’s first State Champion in Speech and second IHSA Individual State Champion by winning Extemporaneous Speaking. In addition to his extensive success in Speech, Tyler struck a balance with equal success in the classroom. He received the Big 12 Conference Academic Award; was a member of the National Honor Society, National English Honor Society, National Social Studies Honor Society, and National Math Honor Society; and became a Valedictorian for the class of 2013. Tyler is continuing his studies at Illinois State University as a Mathematics major and continues his involvement in Speech by coaching for Normal West. |
Berny Chiaro Teacher 1995 - 2013FMP Coordinator 2006 - 2013 Inducted 2015 | |
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Berny Chiaro could be in the Wildcat Wall of Fame for numerous accomplishments just related to being a basketball coach. From taking two teams to the State Tournament at the very beginning of West's existence to being a tireless advocate for female athletics, she had positive influence on the lives of countless student-athletes. However, putting all of her coaching accolades aside, of which there are many, her desire as an educator to bring a freshmen mentoring program (FMP) to her school has forever positively changed the culture of Normal West. Because of Berny Chiaro’s influence, Normal West will never have another freshmen go through school without being positively influenced by a student who has walked in their shoes. These lifelong relationships that FMP has created and continues to create every year does not stop at the doorstep of Normal West. Because of Berny Chiaro’s vision, leadership, and commitment to assisting others, numerous schools in our community and throughout Illinois have an FMP program today. Berny Chiaro exemplifies what it means to be in the Wildcat Wall of Fame. |
Inducted | 2014 |
Cody James White Class of 2007 Inducted 2014 | |
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On behalf of the Wildcat faculty, administration, and student body, we would like to honor Cody White for his achievements. Since graduating from West in 2007, Cody has made it to the highest level in football – an NFL player. His hard work, dedication and leadership are just a few of the qualities that exemplify Cody as a person on and off the field. Cody set a positive example for our entire student body at West. Cody White is the first athlete in Normal West history to make it to the NFL. Cody’s accomplishment while at West include: lettering in football and basketball for three years and being selected as a co-captain of our football team. High School Accomplishments Basketball: Team Captain - 3years/Team MVP-2 years/1 st Team All-Conference- 3years/Pantagraph All Area Team-2 years/Special Mention All-State Football: Team Captain – 2 years/All-Conference – 3 years/Pantagraph All Area Team – 2 years/Brian Baker Linemen Award/Team MVP/Black Shirt Defensive Player of the Year Award/Honorable Mention All-State Illinois State University Accomplishments Cody chose to continue his football career at Illinois State where, in 2011, he earned All-Missouri Conference Honorable Mention. He started at both TE and Offensive Tackle, his unit allowed just 6 sacks in 2011 which ranked his offensive line unit at # 3 in the country. He played in 43 of a possible 44 games while at ISU. Professional Accomplishments In 2012 as an undrafted free agent he earned a spot on the roster of the Houston Texans as a member of the offensive line. |
Linda Bawulski Secretary 1995 - 2010 Inducted 2014 | |
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Linda Bawulski served the students, staff, and community of Normal West High School for fifteen years as Administrative Assistant to the Principal. In her official capacity, Linda served with unparalleled distinction. She managed the school’s district budget and the activity accounts for nearly 150 different student organizations, sports teams, and parent groups with unquestioned accuracy, provided sound advice and support to the administrative team, and performed a myriad of other tasks assigned by the principals. However, Linda Bawulski influenced Normal West in ways far beyond her official position. Her welcoming, positive spirit and professional demeanor were the “face of West” to countless parents and community members. Her flawless staging of public events such as graduation, Senior Award Nights, and homecoming events made West celebrations events to remember. Her training, mentoring, and leadership of the support staff set a standard for service and effectiveness unmatched in Unit 5. Teachers and students knew Linda Bawulski could solve any problem that impeded the progress of teaching and learning at Normal West. Personally and professionally, Linda Bawulski exemplified the spirit of teamwork that has been a hallmark of Normal West since 1995. Truly, Linda Bawulski’s tireless work made every day a “Great Day to be a Wildcat!” |
Gary Woods Athletic Director 1995 - 2001 Inducted 2014 | |
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Gary Woods was instrumental in establishing the athletic traditions and success that we have at Normal West as our first athletic director. A long time teacher and coach in Unit 5 Schools, Gary was the athletic director at Normal Community prior to the opening of Normal West and served as the athletic director at both schools when Normal West opened its doors for the 1995-96 school year. He became the athletic director exclusively at Normal West the following year. Gary served the Illinois High School Association in many capacities from committee work to hosting state series events. The Illinois Athletic Directors Association also benefited from Gary Woods’ leadership as he served that association as an executive board member and a district representative. The recipient of many awards, Gary has been inducted into the Bloomington-Normal Officials Association Hall of Fame. He was also named the Illinois Athletic Director of the Year in 2000 and was inducted into the Illinois Athletic Directors Association Hall of Fame in 2004. Gary Woods ended his thirty-three year education career when he retired from Normal West in 2001. |
Inducted | 2013 |
Adam Kinzinger Class 1996 Inducted 2013 | |
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Adam Kinzinger became active in politics at an early age. During his sophomore year at Illinois State University, he challenged a three-term incumbent for the McLean County Board and won a seat; becoming one of the youngest county board members in McLean County history. After serving from 1998-2003, he joined the U.S. Air Force. Kinzinger served in both Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom and continues to serve at the rank of Major. In 2007, he received the U.S. Air Force Airman Medal for wrestling a knife-wielding man to the ground and disarming him, saving the life of a young woman who was attacked. Kinzinger was later awarded the National Guard’s Valley Forge Cross for heroism and was selected as the Southeastern Wisconsin American Red Cross Hero of the Year. In Janurary 2011, Kinzinger was first sworn into the U.S. House of Representatives at the age of 34 making him one of the youngest members of Congress. In 2012, he was named one of Time Magazine’s 40 under 40 “Rising stars in American politics.” |
Dr. Jerry Crabtree Principal 1995 - 2003 Inducted 2013 | |
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"It's a Great Day to be a Wildcat." Although Dr. Crabtree didn't coin this phrase, he made it part of the Wildcat life. Daring to rock the boat and forge new traditions, he opened Normal West and led the Wildcats through the first 8 years of the school's existence. Dr. Crabtree took special pride in hiring staff that had the expertise, passion, and energy to build a Wildcat family. He motivated the staff to "challenge each other and celebrate together" in forming and developing a new school culture that still exists at West today. On any given day, Dr. Crabtree could be found asking faculty if they were familiar with the school's mission statement or students if they could recite the school song for a $50 prize. Dr. Crabtree embodied what it took to make each day a great day to be a Wildcat. |
Tom Eder Principal 2003 - 2012 Inducted 2013 | |
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Mr. Eder was a consummate educator who saw his years as an educator as a vocation, not simply a job. His passion for learning was only surpassed by his personal devotion to his faculty, staff and students. Tom’s love of sports and extracurricular activities was paramount during his nine years at the helm, as West devotees saw the Wildcats win many contests, awards and become a force in the Big 12 Conference. Most importantly, however, it was Tom’s deep belief in the power of collaboration and teamwork that is his legacy. This compassionate and caring servant leader’s devotion to community is most evidenced by his support of Interdisciplinary classes, the Freshman Mentoring Program, and the Professional Learning Community process, all of which were initiated or prospered during his tenure at Normal West. |
Taylor Kirby Class of 2011 Inducted 2013 | |
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Taylor Kirby set the bar of excellence both on the track and in the classroom at Normal West. She was a 2 Time 4x200 Big 12 Champion, 2 Time Big 12 Indoor Pole Vault Champion, and a 2 Time Intercity Pole Vault Champion. Not only did she excel in the Big 12, but she was a 3 Time AAU National Placer. In 2011, Taylor became Normal West’s first Individual State Champion, winning the Class 3A IHSA Pole Vault title. Taylor was a member of the National Honor Society and Senior Class Board, received the Prairie State Achievement, Scholastic Achievement and Big 12 Scholar Athlete Awards. She graduated with a 5.2 GPA / 5.0 scale. Taylor is currently on the University of Wisconsin’s Track & Field team while double majoring in Neurobiology & Life Science Communications. |
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