2024 Warrior Hall of Fame Inductees

 

School District 197 Celebrates 2024 Warrior Hall of Fame

August 23, 2024—School District 197 and Two Rivers High School are proud to announce the 2024 inductees into the Warrior Hall of Fame. This honor recognizes individuals who have significantly contributed to the School District 197 community and excelled in various fields, including athletics, activities, the fine arts, academics, and philanthropy. This year’s inductees have not only left a mark during their time at Henry Sibley/Two Rivers High School but have also continued to make a positive impact in their post-district endeavors.

The 2024 inductees into the Warrior Hall of Fame are:
Eugene "Gene" Atkins, Henry Sibley Class of 1955 (deceased)
Laura Ashley Grattan, Henry Sibley Class of 1999
Erin Pash, Henry Sibley Class of 2005
Scott Van, Henry Sibley Class of 1974

This year’s inductees will be celebrated at the homecoming football game on Friday, September 27. The event will bring together current and former members of the School District 197 community, as well as friends and family of the honorees, to celebrate their remarkable achievements.

Inductee Biographies

Eugene "Gene" Atkins - Henry Sibley Class of 1955 (deceased):


Gene Atkins dedicated over five decades to public service in various capacities, profoundly impacting his community, county, and state. After graduating from Henry Sibley in 1955, Gene enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where he served as a quartermaster. Following his honorable discharge, he earned a B.A. in History from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls while working full-time. Gene then became a beloved history and civics teacher at Frances M. Grass Junior High in West St. Paul, where he inspired countless students to achieve success. Concurrently, he attended William Mitchell College of Law at night, earning his Juris Doctorate in 1968. Gene built a successful law practice in Dakota County and was appointed a Minnesota First District Court Judge in 1983 by Governor Rudy Perpich. Gene served with distinction until his retirement in 2003, becoming one of Minnesota's longest-serving judges. Gene also served as Mayor of Inver Grove Heights and on the Dakota County Board of Commissioners. Although Gene passed away in 2012, his legacy endures through the lives he touched as a teacher, attorney, judge, and public servant.


Laura Ashley Grattan, Henry Sibley Class of 1999:


Laura Ashley's high school career at Henry Sibley is marked by extraordinary achievements in athletics, academics, and community service. As a multi-sport athlete, she excelled in soccer, basketball, and track and field, earning numerous accolades and breaking records. She led her soccer team to state and section championships, earned three-time All-State and four-time All-Conference honors, and led the state in scoring for Class AA.  In basketball, she was a four-year letter winner and state participant, and in track and field, she participated in four state meets and received multiple MVP awards. Academically, Laura graduated as valedictorian with a 4.0 GPA, was a National Merit Commended Student, and was first chair alto saxophone in Sibley's band.  As a senior at Henry Sibley, Laura was a Mount Olivet Award (for the Outstanding MN High School Female Athlete of the Year), SAMMY Award (given to 25 students nationally for excellence in athletics, academics, leadership, and community service), Athena Award, and Triple "A" Award winner.  At Dartmouth College, she graduated summa cum laude, was a standout on the nationally-ranked Top 20 varsity soccer team, and was an active volunteer in the Upper Valley community.  At Harvard Business School, she was active in various clubs and assisted the American Red Cross. Professionally, Laura is now a Partner at Hg Capital and has held significant positions at leading private equity firms for over 20 years. Her community engagement includes multiple non-profit board memberships and youth coaching, showcasing her continued commitment to service and leadership. Laura currently lives in the Boston area with her husband, Brendan, and three active boys, Drew, Cole, and Wes.


Erin Pash - Henry Sibley Class of 2005:


Erin Pash has made remarkable strides in the field of mental health. As the CEO and founder of Ellie Mental Health Services, Erin has transformed mental health care with a mission to make it accessible and normalized for everyone. Under her leadership, Ellie Mental Health has grown from a single office in St. Paul to a nationwide presence with 225 clinics across 38 states, providing services to over 200,000 families. Beyond her professional achievements, Erin holds a master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy and is a licensed clinical supervisor and fellow with both the Minnesota and American Associations of Marriage and Family Therapy. Erin is also an author, professional speaker, and content creator, all while being a dedicated mother of six. Her contributions to the mental health field and her community, including volunteer work with the Two Rivers Athletic Association and ISD 197 Educational Foundation, highlight her as a true leader and innovator.

 


Scott Van, Henry Sibley Class of 1974:

As a three-sport athlete, Scott demonstrated leadership and excellence at Henry Sibley. He played on the first soccer team in school history, swam freestyle on the swimming team, and became a state champion in track and field. In his senior year, he was selected to be one of the captains for soccer, swimming, and track, making all-conference in all three sports. A highlight was winning the low, intermediate, and high hurdle events at the regional track meet and later taking first place in the high hurdles at the state meet. Scott was also selected as the Male Athlete of the Year for Henry Sibley. His academic achievements matched his athletic skills, consistently excelling in advanced coursework and earning exceptional grades. He made the "A Honor Roll" throughout high school and received an Optimist Club academic achievement award as a senior. Scott's wife and three daughters all completed their education in School District 197, and he has served on the ISD 197 Educational Foundation Board for over 15 years, supporting academic opportunities for students.