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Nominations are being accepted through June 1 for the annual Austin High School Distinguished Alumni recognition program that honors former students during Homecoming in the fall.

Distinguished Alumni honorees are chosen by a subcommittee of the Austin High School Alumni & Friends, a nonprofit that supports the Austin Public Education Foundation.

Nominees must be an Austin High alum who has been out of school for at least 10 years; have contributed to society in an exemplary manner; and have achieved outstanding success in business, a profession, the arts, humanitarian efforts or community service.

This year’s Homecoming festivities that involve the new Distinguished Alumni are Sept. 26-27.

Established in 2002, the Distinguished Alumni award program has honored 45 former AHS students with typically two honored each year. These honorees are celebrated at an all-school assembly in Austin High’s Knowlton Auditorium, where each speaks to the student body. If deceased, the honoree’s family speaks to the students. Distinguished alumni also have an evening dinner in the commons outside of the auditorium and get to ride in the Homecoming parade.

Nomination forms for Distinguished Alumni need to include the nominee’s information related to occupation and positions; career achievements and awards; civic achievements and awards; why the person would be a role model for AHS students; and more.

To nominate someone, go online at:

apefoundationahsalumni.com/20-2/ahs-alumni-and-friends/distinguished-alumni

Created in 1993, the AHS Alumni & Friends Association has a mission of “Preserving the Past and Planning the Future,” which is the same mission of the first AHS alumni group that began in 1894. Today’s AHS Alumni & Friends helps to make connections and provides opportunities for alumni to connect with other alumni, current students and the Austin community.

Membership in the Alumni & Friends Association helps the nonprofit continue “Preserving the Past and Planning the Future.” An annual membership of $15 gets you two P.S. Post-Sentinel newsletters mailed to you each year.

To become an Alumni member, send $15 to the AHS Alumni & Friends Association, P.O. Box 878, Austin, MN, 55912. You can email the Alumni board chair Jeni Lindberg at:  jeni.lindberg@austin.k12.mn.us.