If you graduated from Columbia High School, the Columbia Education Foundation wants you. The group is looking for distinguished alumni nominations, said Dave Cunningham, president. "We want to recognize graduates of Columbia and share their success with our students," he stated.

The Education Foundation formed in 2005 with a mission of supporting the Columbia School District. "Our main goal is to obtain funding, whether it's through donations from community members or corporations, endowments or fundraisers, so that we can assist the school district with funding programs," Cunningham explained. Funds raised might be used for anything from teacher grants for a specific project to purchasing classroom supplies. Money is also used for scholarships for graduating seniors as well as alumni scholarships, which are offered to all graduates no matter how long they've been out of high school.

The distinguished alumni program began in 2006. "There was a sports hall of fame, but there was a large segment of the community who deserved recognition for their contributions to the Columbia community and beyond in their post-high school life," Cunningham remarked. Over the years, the program has recognized scientists, professors, authors, doctors and entrepreneurs. Former Secretary of State and retired Army Gen. Colin Powell's deputy chief of staff was a Columbia graduate who was recognized through the program, Cunningham noted.

Alumni are inducted at a breakfast typically held in the fall, and then they spend the day in the district meeting with students.

"We try to fit them into classes based on their career," Cunningham said, noting that honorees also receive a plaque and will have a plaque displayed on the wall of fame in the lobby of the high school. The only requirement for nominees is they must have graduated from Columbia High School, and the foundation will recognize alumni posthumously.

"The distinguished alumni are people who we hope will make the kids say, 'Wow!' and inspire them to see what they can achieve after high school," Cunningham commented. "We want the students to listen to their stories and think, 'I could do that.'"

For more information on the Columbia Education Foundation and the distinguished alumni program, including the nomination form, visit http://www.columbiaef.org.