Norma Bondeson Gaffron ‘51
Norma Bondeson Gaffron graduated with honors from Winona State Teachers School (WSU) in 1951. She was active in marching band, Wenonah Players, the orientation team and YMCA and was awarded the Edna Hudson Howell Scholarship. Gaffron taught elementary school in Dodge Center, Duluth and Mounds View, MN from 1951-1960. She received her BS in education from the University of Minnesota in 1976.
Gaffron has been a successful freelance writer since 1977, with published articles in The Minneapolis Star Tribune, Field and Stream, SAIL, Jack and Jill, and Children’s Digest. She published five nonfiction books for middle grade readers that were reviewed by Book List and School Library Journal. Gaffron believes her greatest contribution has been her work in developing the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators in Minnesota. She received an award from the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, and the Anna Cross Giblin Nonfiction Research grant in 1992.
Dr. Scott M. Hannon ‘72, ’76
Scott Hannon, a lifelong Winonan, earned his BS ’72 and MS ’76 in industrial arts from Winona State University, as well as his sixth year certificate in education administration. He completed his EdD in educational leadership at the University of St. Thomas in 1996. Hannon was a national champion handball player representing WSU in the National Intercollegiate Handball Tournament.
Hannon served the Winona Area Public School (WAPS) system for more than 41 years as a teacher, principal, Director of Academic Affairs, and as Superintendent, retiring in 2014.
Hannon earned numerous honors including Winona Teacher of the Year in 1984, Minnesota Administrators Academy Leadership Award in 1991, Media Educators of Minnesota Administrator of the Year in 1997, Southeast Division Principal of the Year in 2000, and Minnesota Principal of the Year in 2001. He continues to serve on WSU Dept. of Education committees.
Distinguished Young Alumni
John Holst ‘99
John Holst graduated with a BS from WSU in 1999, earned his Doctorate of Osteopathic Medicine from Des Moines University Osteopathic Medical Center in 2004, and completed his residency in Emergency Medicine at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Holst has published articles for Case Reports in Pediatrics and the European Journal of Emergency Medicine, completed a FAST (Focused Advanced Specialty Training) in Ultrasound, and earned his RDMS (Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer) and RDCS (Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer) certifications.
Holst served five years active duty and eight years as a Reservist for the U.S. Navy as a flight surgeon, and was awarded the Naval Achievement Medal, the Naval Commendation Medal, and the Fleet Marine Force pin. He retired with the rank of Lieutenant Commander. He is currently the Ultrasound Director at St. Mary’s Hospital, Duluth, MN. His wife Heather, is a 2000 WSU Alumna.
Tasha Schuh ‘03
Tasha Schuh graduated Magna Cum Laude from WSU in 2003 with a BA in communication studies and a music minor. She also holds a BA in theology from Marantha College in Idaho.
Schuh is a motivational speaker who travels the country to tell her inspiring story. As a junior in high school, while practicing for opening night of her high school musical, Schuh fell 16 feet through a trap door on stage. The fall broke her neck, crushed her spinal cord and fractured her skull. Her book, “My Last Step Backward,” chronicles her journey from childhood to the horror of a near-fatal accident that led to the divine calling of a young lady making a difference in the world.
Nominated by Mayo Clinic, Schuh received the 2012 National Rehabilitation Champion Award, and was named Ms. Wheelchair USA 2012-13.
She sits on the board of the Rehab Unit Consumer Advisory Council through Mayo Clinic and mentors people who have recently experienced a spinal cord injury.
Schuh lives in Ellsworth, WI with her husband, Doug Drogorub.
