Jim Edwards
SHS Class of 1970 Kailua-Kona Bay
Hawaiian Ironman World Championships
Q. Please tell us a little about yourself/family and you/their history with Scottsbluff Public Schools.
A. I was born in Scottsbluff in 1951 and attended Lincoln Heights Elementary, Scottsbluff Jr. High and finally Scottsbluff Sr. High where I graduated in 1970. My two siblings, Linda, and Julie, followed the same school paths.
Q. What year did you graduate?
A. I graduated from Scottsbluff Sr. High in May of 1970.
Q. What can you say about your time in Scottsbluff Public Schools? How did it help prepare you for success later in life?
A. I believe that the education received in Scottsbluff Public Schools provided me with a well-rounded foundation for life. That foundation, whether that be in my post-secondary education or in my life before retirement, paid dividends.
Q. What did you do after high school? Did you go to college, enter the workforce or join the military?
A. After graduation, I attended and graduated from Nebraska Western College. After that I served in the Marine Corps in Southeast Asia with the 12th Marines for 15 months. After returning to the U.S., I attended Kearney State College and acquired a BS with emphasis in Accounting. After graduating from Kearney State College, I began my work in organizational management and lobbying for a period which would span 35 years.
Q. What is your greatest professional/personal accomplishment?
A. While this would be in the eyes of the beholder, my greatest professional accomplishments would be that I helped, through my lobbying efforts, enhanced educational opportunities for all students in Kansas. As far a personal accomplishments, I would identify my completion of eight Ironman (2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike and a 26.2 mile run) triathlons, including the World Championships in Hawaii.
Q. Were there any teachers or other staff members who you can think of who had an impact on you during your time in Scottsbluff Public Schools?
A. While it is really hard to single out individuals teachers who had an impact on me in my 13 years as a student, there is one who not only had an educational but personal impact. His name is Jim Pettit. He helped develop my love for math (helped with my accounting degree) as well as my love for running (led to my participation and success in endurance running, cycling and multi-sport events).
Q. Do you have any interesting or fun stories or memories to share about your time in high school?
A. None that I would admit to.
Q. If you are retired, are there any ways you have stayed connected or involved with Scottsbluff Public Schools?
A. I have attended every class reunion since graduation and have helped support Scottsbluff Schools Foundation & Friends.