2015 Hall of Fame Inductees
Sam Bole ('64)
Sam Bole was valedictorian of his class, then graduated from the Air Force Academy in 1968 with a Bachelor of Science degree in International Affairs. He flew the next 29 years in the Air Force and has more than 4,000 hours flight time. Col. Bole was assigned to the Pentagon in foreign military sales and was the F-4 and C-130 program manager for the Egyptian Air Force, ensuring it received the resources required to keep their aircraft operational. Following his Pentagon duty he was the commanding officer of the 21st Tactical Fighter Training Squadron at George AFB, CA. After serving in other command positions globally, Bole returned to the Air Force Academy as vice athletic director. He was responsible for the financial and logistical support of 27 intercollegiate men’s and women’s teams, intramurals, and physical education for 4,000 cadets until his retirement in 1997. Bole is a member of many organizations supporting the Air Force and the Academy, and is a member of the Military Affairs Committee of the Chamber of Commerce of Colorado Springs.
Marilyn Sly Leuszler ('63)
Marilyn Sly Leuszler, a 1963 graduate, is an artist living in Trinidad. Her specialty is Japanese art and spent ten years studying with the great master artists in Japan in both ink and brush artwork and silk embroidery. Her art has been shown in galleries throughout the United States, the Colorado Capitol Building and many Colorado airports. Lueszler is a board member of Arts for Colorado, the A.R. Mitchell Museum of Western Art, and chair of the Trinidad Arts and Cultural Advisory Commission and the Corazon de Trinidad Creative District. She has taught at many levels but specializes in bringing art to children.
Gerry Montgomery ('75)
Gerry Montgomery, a 1975 graduate is co-owner of Montgomery-Steward Funeral Directors Inc. He was chosen by the city of Pueblo to manage the city-owned Mountain View Cemetery in 1995 and spent countless hours expanding and renovating the cemetery. Montgomery has served as chairman of the board for Sangre de Cristo Hospice, is a board member of the CSU-P Foundation, and the KTSC advisory board. He is active in the Pueblo Downtown Association, the Pueblo Chamber of Commerce and many other local organizations. Montgomery has been the recipient of the Melvin Jones Fellow Award for humanitarian service, Lion of the Year, Keep Pueblo Beautiful Award, the Pueblo Downtown Association Shining Star Award, and the USC Outstanding American Achievement Award for exceptional service to and support of higher education.
Jamie Clark Pecha ('05)
Jamie Clark Pecha is a West Point graduate who was inducted into the Hall of Fame when she was a captain in the United States Army. Pecha excelled in academics and athletics while at South, receiving academic awards as an AP Scholar, National Association of Secondary School Principals’ Award, and she was student representative on the school bond committee. She qualified for state in track all four years in 11 events and was a four-year letterman in volleyball. Pecha carried her academic and athletic success on to West Point, graduating in the top 10 percent of her class and lettering in volleyball all four years. Pecha graduated Airborne School in 2010 and was a member and co-captain of the All-Army Volleyball team, the Armed Forces Volleyball team and the 2014 Army Female Athlete of the Year. Capt. Pecha was deployed to Afghanistan in 2011 and has been awarded 16 service ribbons including the Bronze Star. Pecha is a volunteer in both youth and senior sports programs.
Dr. Frank Ricotta (retired teacher)
Dr. Frank J. Ricotta is a retired South High School math teacher and District #60 administrator. Dr. Ricotta spent 21 years teaching at South and another 11 years in school administration. He served the 3rd Congressional District as an elected member of the state Board of Education for six years. He has served as president of the Roselawn Cemetery Board of Directors, the Catholic Diocese Finance Board, the Catholic School Board and the Parish Council. While at South Dr. Ricotta received a National Science Foundation Grant, was a class sponsor many times, and was sponsor of Key Club, Math Club and an SAT mentor. In his spare time he coached youth baseball and basketball.
John Wristen ('80)
John Wristen is a 1980 graduate of South, where he participated in basketball and track and was quarterback on the football team. Wristen attended the University of Southern Colorado and also was quarterback of its football team. He graduated in 1984 with a Master’s Degree in Special Education. His coaching career has taken him from Rocky Ford High School to Ft. Lewis College, Northwestern University, the University of Colorado and UCLA. Coach Wristen returned to Pueblo and Colorado State University-Pueblo in 2008, to resurrect the football program. His teams' successes are unparalleled. The Thunderwolves have been league champions every year since 2011 and were the NCAA Division II National Champions in 2014. Wristen has been named coach of the year multiple times. He also is involved in the United Way middle school mentoring program and is an ambassador for many local causes, including breast cancer awareness and research.