2011 Honorary Alumni Awards:

Gayle French, originally from Dunbar, NE, graduated from San Francisco State University with a Bachelors of Music degree.  Upon graduation, she was commissioned into the United States Air Force and was stationed with her husband at Grand Forks Air Force Base in North Dakota where she was active as a church organist for the base chapel and other community churches.  Mrs. French later separated from the USAF and moved to Plattsmouth, NE where she was the accompanist for the Offuttaires, a singing group of the Offutt Air Force Base Officer's Wives Club.  In 1994 Mrs. French and her family settled in Panama, NE.  She has been very active in the Norris Public Schools as a music educator and supporter.  She is currently in her 13th year as the Staff Accompanist.  Mrs. French is also active as a private piano instructor and has been the organist at the Panama Presbyterian Church for the past 16 years.  She has been happily married for 35 years to husband, Gene, a retired USAF officer, and is the proud mother of daughters Lenora and Rayla, who are both professional musicians and Norris alumni.  In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, gardening, cross-stitching and spending time with family.

Fred Gustin, was born and raised in Blair, NE. He graduated from Ceresco High School and later graduated from Doane College with a BA in Human Relations.  He joined the Army National Guard while a senior in high school.  Fred enjoyed a 36 year career with the Army National Guard, retiring on October 2, 29916 at the rank of Brigadier General.  Fred married his high school sweetheart on August 31, 1963.  They have two children, Chad (now married to Kathleen) and Michele (now married to Jacob Bliven).  They are blessed with 6 grandchildren.

Fred and family moved into the Norris School District in December, 1975 and both children graduated from Norris. He and his wife were involved with the Norris Athletic Boosters for a number of years and served as President for two years. Fred is a member of the American Legion Post 105 (41 years).  He announced Norris American Legion Baseball games for seven years and has been a member of the Hickman Area Kiwanis for 13 years. Fred has been a volunteer at Norris High School for nine years, assisting in the Small Engines class.  Other hobbies are camping, fishing and attending the grandchildren's school events and babysitting.