Hall of Fame Class of 2017

Chris Monroe

Chris Monroe was a member of the Class of 1980. She is an author, illustrator, visual artist, and cartoonist. She is the author of nine children's picture books, as well as the illustrator of picture books by authors Kevin Kling, Jane Yolen, and Janice Levy. Her comic strip, "Violet Days" has been in print for over 20 years and is featured in the collection "Ultra Violet: Ten Years Of Violet Days." In 1999, City Pages named her Best Local Cartoonist. In 2016, she won an Emmy award for her animation artwork for "Kevin Kling: Lost And Found," a documentary produced by Twin Cities PBS.

Bob Mars

Bob Mars was a member of the Class of 1972. He had an outstanding athletic career at East, being one of a very few at the school to earn a bronze medal in track and field at the state meet. He was All-City and All-Conference in football, hockey, and track. Mars was Co-Captain of the Brown University hockey team where he led his team to the NCAA Frozen Four. Mars is President of the Mars Supply Company. He is a founding member of the Noper Foundation and a driving force behind establishing the Mrkonich scholarship and the Oberg-Skogg-Verchota Teacher Awards that have provided over $270,000 in scholarship grants to the East Community.

Herb Fritch

Herb Fritch was a member of the Class of 1968. He founded Cigna-HealthSpring and grew it into one of the largest Medicare Advantage plans in the country. Herb is co-owner of the NHL’s Nashville Predators and one of the Predator’s three alternative governors. Never forgetting his Duluth roots, the life lessons he learned here, and his love of hockey, he became one of the principal contributors to the Heritage Sports Center. He has said, “It is a privilege to make those opportunities and support available to present and future generations of Duluth’s children.”

Mike (Mern) Miernicki

Mike Miernicki was a Social Studies teacher, Birch Log Advisor, Danceline Advisor, Assistant Football Coach, Student Forum Advisor, Senior Class Advisor, Junior Class Advisor, Assemblies Advisor, Head Golf Coach, Photography Club Advisor, and Q&S Advisor. Mern was a 1992 Minnesota Terrific Teacher. He served as Activities Director, the Region Activities Director of the Year 2003, Vice President of the Duluth Federation of Teachers, and the Duluth School Board where he served as its chairman. Miernicki is currently the Whiteside Scholarship Committee Chairperson and Secretary of the East High School Foundation.

Irv St. John

Irv St. John was a Physical Education teacher and coach at East where he was a six-time conference champion, took four teams to the state tournament, and ended up with an overall record of 364-132 as head coach. He had a passion for mentoring his students and athletes and kept in touch with many after their playing days. He finished his career as East Athletic Director where he started the soccer program. Irv was a competitor all his life and is in the Bemidji State Athletic Hall of Fame, Minnesota Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame, and the NSIC Hall of Fame. Irv passed away in 2015.

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