Additional settings for Safari Browser.
Distinguised Achievement Hall of Fame
Since 1999, the Brainerd Public Schools Distinguished Achievement Hall of Fame has honored about 80 exceptional graduates and two legendary administrators from among tens of thousands of alumni over nearly 150 years. These individuals have come from all walks of life and now live across the globe—from Brainerd to New York, Stockholm to Hanoi.
Inductees include research scientists, decorated veterans, legal pioneers, a Broadway star, renowned journalists, military leaders, a Minnesota governor, a U.S. congressman, and community leaders of all kinds. Their achievements span fields as diverse as medicine, law, education, the arts, and public service—each representing the lasting impact of a Brainerd Public Schools education.
-
- Raymond Frisch (Class of 1948) taught at Ogilvie High School, where he was also librarian, director of junior and senior class plays, and competitive speech and one-act play coach. He also taught at Brainerd Junior College and Brainerd Community College (now Central Lakes College). He served as vice president and co-program chair of the Minnesota Council of Teachers of English in 1976.
- Steffen Johnson (Class of 1987) is a partner at Wilson Sonsini Law Firm in Washington, D.C. In his law work, Johnson leads his firm’s nationwide Supreme Court and appellate practice and has argued cases in front of the U.S. Supreme Court. He has twice been named a “Legal Lion” by “Law360,” a legal news company, for Supreme Court and Federal Circuit Court victories.
- Robert Nystrom (Class of 1975) is a pharmacist and has remained an active member of the Brainerd Lakes community. He opened his pharmacy in downtown Brainerd after graduating from college and later established a second location in Pine River. After 20 years in the business, he sold his business to a major pharmacy chain. Nystrom served 17 years on the Brainerd Public Schools Board of Education.
Watch the Brainerd High School AP Lit/Comp class visit with Raymond and Kari Frisch here.
- Raymond Frisch (Class of 1948) taught at Ogilvie High School, where he was also librarian, director of junior and senior class plays, and competitive speech and one-act play coach. He also taught at Brainerd Junior College and Brainerd Community College (now Central Lakes College). He served as vice president and co-program chair of the Minnesota Council of Teachers of English in 1976.
-
- Elsa (Hasch) Garrison (1990) is a world-class professional sports photographer with literally dozens of Olympics, World Series, Super Bowl, and other championship credits in her resume, including the iconic Kobe and Gianna Bryant photograph.
- Jessica (Kramer) Ryan (1990) is an enrolled member of the Brotherton Indian Nation, lawyer, judge and advocate for Native American children and families.
- Gen. Mark Ness (1968) is a retired Air Force pilot who flew evacuation flights out of Saigon, commanded the Minnesota Air National Guard and was a leading Northwest Airlines pilot and pilot trainer.
- Elizabeth (Nolan) McGowan (1938), now deceased, was a journalist, including when women were not, throughout her life and in her later years also was a “senior advocate.”
Watch the Class of 2021 Distinguished Hall of Fame ceremony HERE.
- Elsa (Hasch) Garrison (1990) is a world-class professional sports photographer with literally dozens of Olympics, World Series, Super Bowl, and other championship credits in her resume, including the iconic Kobe and Gianna Bryant photograph.
-
- Richard “Dick” Ashmun (1946)
- Jennifer (Pecarich) Carlson (1987)
- Yen Chu (1989)
-