BELLEVUE, Neb. — The Bellevue Alumni Association will celebrate the achievements of eight distinguished graduates during the inaugural Bellevue Alumni Hall of Fame Induction Brunch on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at the Frank Kumor Career Center, 2812 Arboretum Drive.
The ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. and is open to the public. Tickets are $25 and include a brunch buffet. Attendees must register by Wednesday, April 8. Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available online (see links below).
The inaugural class features graduates from Bellevue High School, Bellevue East High School, and Bellevue West High School whose accomplishments span decades of leadership, service, and professional excellence.
“The Bellevue Alumni Hall of Fame is a project that has been in the works for years,” said Garrett Sims, Bellevue Alumni Director. “There are so many graduates of Bellevue Public Schools who have gone on to have an incredible impact on the world — truly changing things for the better. This inaugural class is special because they cover such a wide variety of careers and have each impacted their communities in very specific ways. These eight individuals have set the bar high for all future Hall of Fame classes!”
The Bellevue Alumni Hall of Fame was established to recognize outstanding alumni who have demonstrated personal excellence and made significant contributions to their communities through service, stewardship, and involvement.
Throughout 2025, the Bellevue Alumni Association accepted nominations from graduates, current and former teachers, and the community, with inductees selected by the Bellevue Alumni Advisory Committee — a group composed of Bellevue graduates.
The induction brunch is expected to last approximately one hour and will include recognition of each inductee and their achievements.
For tickets, sponsorships, or more information, visit:
Hall of Fame Induction Brunch Tickets: igfn.us/form/XTzG3w
Hall of Fame Induction Brunch Sponsorships: igfn.us/form/9g7ubA
2026 Bellevue Alumni Hall of Fame Inductees:
- Brian Hamilton (Bellevue High, Class of 1968): A leader in business and philanthropy, Hamilton built a successful automotive enterprise across Nebraska while remaining deeply committed to giving back. Alongside his wife Carey, he has supported education and community initiatives, leaving a lasting impact on the Bellevue community that helped shape his journey.
- Marjorie Simons-Bester (Bellevue High, Class of 1975): A nationally respected music educator and conductor, Dr. Simons-Bester has spent more than four decades advancing choral excellence. From Bellevue East to leading performances at Carnegie Hall and the United Nations, her influence has shaped generations of musicians and elevated the arts across the region.
- Steven Rowlee (Bellevue East, Class of 1983, Posthumous): A Navy Reservist during Desert Shield and Desert Storm and a devoted emergency room nurse, Rowlee was known as “Supernurse” for his calm, compassionate care. His legacy of service, courage, and kindness continues to inspire the Bellevue community he loved.
- Michael Plambeck (Bellevue West, Class of 1983, Posthumous): A state wrestling champion, summa cum laude graduate, and respected family law attorney, Plambeck devoted his life to serving others. Through his work in the courtroom and as a longtime youth coach and mentor, his legacy of integrity, generosity, and community impact continues to be felt across Bellevue.
- Brigette (Ferrante) Young (Bellevue East, Class of 1985): As President and CEO of Make-A-Wish Nebraska, Young has led efforts to grant nearly 2,000 wishes for children facing critical illnesses. A lifelong nonprofit leader, she continues to bring hope and joy to families across the state through her impactful work.
- Nicole (Weber) Shonka (Bellevue East, Class of 1993): Nebraska’s only fellowship-trained adult neuro-oncologist, Dr. Shonka is a national leader in brain cancer care and research. At UNMC’s Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, she is advancing treatment, expanding clinical trials, and helping build a premier Brain and Spine Cancer Center in Nebraska.
- Aaron Kyle (Bellevue West, Class of 1997): A leader in biomedical engineering and innovation, Dr. Kyle serves as Professor of the Practice at Duke University and is a fellow of both AIMBE and BMES. Through his work and NIH-funded outreach programs, he has inspired more than 1,000 students to pursue careers in STEM.
- Brian Fox (Bellevue West, Class of 2000): After more than a decade serving youth and families at Boys Town, Fox returned to Bellevue to lead and grow his family’s Cornhusker businesses. He continues to invest in the community while raising his family and carrying forward a legacy rooted in service and entrepreneurship.
Nominations for next year’s Bellevue Alumni Hall of Fame Class will be available beginning later this month. Check out the Bellevue Alumni website for details at www.bellevuealumni.net.
