2007 Hall of Fame Inductees
Ryan N. Coffee ('94)
Ryan was student body president at South High, then earned a bachelor of science degree in physics and a bachelor of arts in philosophy in 1999 from the University of Arkansas. He followed that double achievement with another double at the University of Connecticut, first a master's in physics in 2001 and a doctorate in philosophy (emphasis on physics) in 2006. Ryan has been at Stanford University since 2006, first as a research associate from 2006-09, then as a staff scientist with the SLAC National Accelerator Lab doing research. A recent online biography states his research interest areas are: Understanding and applying optical control in molecular systems for multi-experiment correlation. Leveraging machine learning and artificial intelligence to accelerate chemical physics research. Understanding and applying ultrafast carrier dynamics in materials for applications in radiology.
John R. Costanza ('66)
Founder of JCIT in 1984, Costanza developed Demand Flow Technology, which revolutionized the manufacturing process worldwide. John is known as the Father of Flow Manufacturing, a concept that stood traditional manufacturing on its ear, and is one of the Heroes of U.S.Manufacturing for his help in returning U.S.manufacturing to world pre-eminence. He also is author of the best selling book, "A Quantum Leap: In Speed to Market."
Jeffrey W. Coyne ('82)
Class valedictorian, Jeff has work for LockheemMartin in Littleton, CO. He has worked as the Power Subsystem Lead Engineer for thePhoenix Mars Lander Spacecraft. He also has overseen design, manufacture, test, integration, launch support, and flight performance of PowerSubsystem, including avionics, batteries, and solar arrays. Previous position there was as a Mission operations engineer for the Mars GlobalSurveyor, Mars Odyssey, Stardust, Genesis, and Spitzer Space Telescope Programs.
Diane Frazzin Porter ('65)
Diane has been executive director of Pueblo Community College Foundation and former executive director of the Pueblo YWCA. Through her leadership, vision and dedication, Diane saved the Y from failure due to a variety of issues. In her nine years as its executive director, she brought the organization back from the brink. When she left the YWCA to assume a position at PCC, the YWCA was on firm financial footing and was a model program for women's shelters nationwide.
Louise Romero ('64) (deceased)
Louise pursued and earned her bachelor's degree in education from Southern Colorado State College in 1968 and a master's in education from The Ohio State University in 1970. She didn't stop there, but earned her Juris Doctorate degree from CU School of Law in 1980. Louise eventually returend to CU in the law department as Managing Senior Associate University Counsel. Prior to taking a position at CU Boulder in 1994, Louise was a shareholder and senior associate attorney at Brownstein Hyatt Farber & Strickland Law Firm. In 1993, she was one of people, and the only woman, honored by the CU School of Law for contributions to the legal profession and the community, in commemoration of the law school's 100th anniversary and the 25th anniversary of the school's minority program. In 1992, Louise served on the Colorado Hispanic Bar Association's Board of Directors and was the association secretary in 1994. She also was also a member of the American Bar Association, Colorado Bar Association, Colorado Women's Bar Association, and the Denver and Boulder Bar associations. She died in November 2005.
James E. Wessely (retired principal)
Before he became South High principal in 1996, Jim served as a guidance counselor there from 1972-85, and from 1985-96 as an assistant principal at Keating Alternate School. He retired as South's principal in 2007 after 20-plus years of tireless leadership in which he created an environment where academic time was protected and supported along with athletics; he also encouraged student and adult support. Among his many achievements, Mr. Wessely guided efforts to re-energize the band program, re-established the orchestra and marching band programs, and created means to buy new band uniforms. He also oversaw construction of a new science wing, remodeled old science rooms, and created regular classrooms from old science rooms. He also had South rewired so everyone had email and electronic grading access, and bought the first Macintosh writing lab for the Media Center. Jim also created the first parent-teacher conference program at South, which was the first in the history of Pueblo’s high schools. And he was a key player in establishing a permanent South High School Alumni Foundation, which supports students, teachers and the school in sundry ways. He left a legacy of adult-to-student respect and mentored many prospective administrators who continue to lead schools today.