Two added to Creston Hall of Fame

On Friday, the Creston Hall of Fame brought in two new inductees as a part of last week’s homecoming festivities.

Amy Higgins is a 1990 Creston graduate and was this year’s graduate inductee. She has worked as a writer and showrunner for Apple, Netflix and Disney, including earning an Emmy nomination for her writing on “Wander Over Yonder.”

Despite all the excitement of her career and the places she’s been, Higgins said in her speech that Creston is still the place that feels the most like home.

“I’ve been a lot of places, I’ve circled the globe and under all the circumstances, this is still my home and this is still the foundation that laid me. Here I feel the most me, I am the most truthful in myself,” Higgins said. “The people here, my parents that I wish were here today, my teachers and my friends who have always supported me, believed the best in me.”

Higgins encouraged people to surround themselves with those who build them up.

“I’ve always encouraged people to seek out the positive, move with people who love you, believe in you and imagine the best for you,” Higgins said.

The late Darwin West was named to the hall of fame as a contributor to the school district. West served as a district bus driver for 31 years, driving for both a daily route and other school activities. In addition, West was the master of ceremonies for CHS prom attendees and provided a multitude of other services to the school for fund-raising events.

“We really appreciate this honor for being a distinguished contributor and going into the Creston High School hall of fame,” West’s son Rod West said. “He did really enjoy being in the community and helping the school district, dealing with fundraisers and driving the school bus, whether that was just his daily route or taking all his kids on all the activities.”

Rod said that, while he wasn’t thrilled at first that his dad would be driving bus, he quickly warmed to the idea.

“I remember when he first started driving, I think probably at my age, maybe 10, 11 years old, I was like, Dad’s going to drive a school bus? What’s he going to do that for?” Rod said. “But I’ll tell you, all my buddies, when we were traveling up and down the road, going to all the activities over the years, we really enjoyed his company out there on the road too.”

Historically, nominations for the hall of fame are for a former graduate, former staff member and contributor. A staff member was not part of this year’s ceremony.

The homecoming queen was also coronated during the event. The nominees included:

Josie Mahan, daughter of Chad and Brenda Mahan.

Zoe Ralston, daughter of Wiliiam and Kathryn Ralston.

Grace Travis, daughter of Curt and Rachael Travis.

Morgan Van Gelder, daughter of Brad and Terri Van Gelder.

CC Zachary, daughter of Jean Weisshaar and Brian Zachary.

2022 Homecoming Queen Ami Patel crowned CC Zachary as the 2023 Homecoming Queen, with the help of flower girl Oakley Rosch and crown bearer Connor Buckalew.