Dr. Kahler developed and designed Oak Park High School. He continued to be Principal for 21 years. He was revered by all who worked or taught at Oak Park.
The Dr. Kahler Award was named after him to recognize non-graduates of Oak Park, that distinguished themselves while working for Oak Park by performing outstanding service to the school.
Lint, Gary Inducted in 2009
Gary Lint was employed for eleven years at Oak Park, in many areas as an IA. He developed the Cornerstone newsletter, which he wrote, published and distributed to the Oak Park parents. When he found there was no way for alumni to find information on their reunions, he developed the OP Alumni Assn. The Alumni Directory was developed, which now includes over 6000 names and other information.
He created the Oak Park Hall of Fame which will induct its fifth class into the Hall this fall. He produced the Hall of Fame ceremonies for the first 3 years. He initiated the Oak Park Alumni Scholarship program by soliciting donations from the alumni, friends of OP and through fundraisers. Oak Park has been able to award scholarships to offspring of alumni for the past three years. Gary received the Blue Apple Award for outstanding service and was nominated twice for District Employee of the Year from OP.
Kramme, Dr., Ken Inducted in 2014
Twenty-one of Dr. Kramme's 44 years were at OPHS. Since retiring in 2001 Kramme has worked part-time for UMKC and Liberty HS. He also serves on the KCMO Environmental Management Commission. Many Oakies remember him for thrilling ski weekends. He also led the Academic Aces to eight state Championships. NKC teachers remember his NEA work. Doc's excellence has been recognized in many venues, most notably at the White House in 1990, whereupon he received the Presidential Award.
Other honors include: Curtin-Matheson Teacher Award, Christa McAuliffe Award, M-NEA Political Action Award, SHARE Outstanding Educator, NKC Teacher of Distinction, OP Big Blue Award, Lou Smith Citation, Clay County Conservation District Award, NKC- NEA Volunteer of the Year, ACS Award, SCI Award, UMC Teacher Award & U of A Mentor Award.
Crews, Jerry Inducted in 2019
Jerry Crews has dedicated over 50 years of mentoring, coaching, and teaching at schools in Denver, Maple Park, and as a charter member at Oak Park High School. He led the football team from the early 70's to mid 80' and was the head track coach at two different times. He was the MO Class 4 Coach of the year in 1975. He was the athletic director from 1985- to the mid 90s and the KCIAAA Athletic Director of the year in 1995. During that time, he was also head golf coach.
He has received the "Dan Kahler True Blue" award and is a member of the GKC Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame. He has coached several all state athletes including a state champion 4x100 team, 800 m, and two-time state champion pole vaulter.
Currently he volunteers at his church and in several activities to help the Northland Community. He helped teach golf to special needs athletes. Jerry has never lost his desire to help kids and has left a lifetime legacy of students, athletes, and coaches that are indebted to him for his support, enthusiasm, knowledge and genuine spirit. He is truly an Oak Park icon.
Grace, Bill Inducted in 2019
Bill Grace was an Oak Park Faculty member from 1969-1993. His program blossomed through many contests, trips to the Missouri Music Educators Association Convention, and was widely known as an adjudicator/clinician for many Missouri Camps, contests, and competitions.
He volunteers as a committee member for our Alumni Association. He is still involved at the Liberty Community Chorus and is a frequent judge at District contests every spring. Bill Grace truly bleeds blue and is an integral part of what Oak Park is today.
Cain, Benny Inducted in 2024
Mr. Cain was Oak Park's third principal and an important part of OP's history. Mr. Cain is a lifelong resident of the northland and a graduate of NKCHS. He graduated from NWMSU and continued his education with a masters and specialist in high school administration from Central Missouri State University. He taught at Maple Park before going to Winnetonka when it first opened its doors in 1971. He coached the Griffins baseball in 1980 to the school's first state championship.
Always wanting to be a principal, in 1981 he transferred to Oak Park as an assistant principal, he took over as principal in 1994 and stayed in that position until he retired in 2001. After retirement, he became director of the NKC Alternative School but he continued his support of Oak Park and the School District. He has served on numerous bond issue committees and committees to improve schools and teacher instruction. He is a big supporter of Oak Park sports teams and undeniably will always be blue on blue.
Luyben, Annette Inducted in 2024
Annette was a part of the original faculty at OPHS as a Social Studies Teacher. She taught American History, American Government and International Relations. She also sponsored a Political Science Club during the early years. In 1966 she was hired for part time work by the Kansas City Chiefs to begin their first "in house" Cheerleading Squad. She continued as coach until 1969 when Oak Park offered her co-sponsorship of the Pep Club and Cheerleaders. At that time she approached Dr. Kahler with the idea of starting a Pom-Pon Squad, to add dance to sporting sidelines. He welcomed the idea, and the rest is history.
The Squad quickly gained a reputation of excellence and was asked to perform at area Universities and Pro Sporting Events, with the help of live music from the OPHS Pep Band. A standard of Excellence, achieved by hard work, was expected of every member.
Annette retired from teaching in 1980 to join her parents at their music store, Luyben Music, but continued to coach OPHS Pom-Pon as a volunteer until 2003. During this time the Squad won many state championships and participated with honors in National Competitions.
She received the DK Special Award in 1984 and the True Blue Award in 1996.
The music store still exists, but on a smaller scale and Annette now volunteers for the Normandy Scholarship Program begun by 2 of her former students. This program awards scholarships to high school juniors from each of the 4 high schools in the NKC School District. The program is sponsored by the WW II Museum and provides 2 weeks of immersive history study in Normandy France.
Mayabb, Gary Inducted in 2024
Gary Mayabb, known to everyone as "Coach" has spent the majority of his life serving others. He has helped develop young men and women into high character citizens through his teaching and coaching. He was known as Coach, but was always a teacher first. He earned the Blue Apple Award twice. He loved OP so much, that he got married at OPHS! His lasting impact on students and athletes came from his tireless work ethic, high standards, and passion for helping kids reach goals they didn't know were possible.
He was named associate head coach of Iowa University's Women's Wrestling Team and previously had been manager of the Greco-Roman program for the USA Wrestling team. He was a five-time member of the U.S. Olympic Team Training Camp staff. During his time at Oak Park, he led the Oakies to six State Wrestling Championships, his teams were nationally ranked eight times, won 38 individual championships, 96 state medalists and 145 state qualifiers. He is a two time NWCA Region Coach of the Year, recipient of a State Coach of the Year award, and two time NSHAA Wrestling Coach of the Year. More than 100 former student-athletes have gone on to coach at all levels.
