Diane (Nicksick) Allen is a 1986 Omaha Central graduate who taught English at Central from 1997 to 2025. One of the torch bearers of the CHS English teaching tradition (which she first learned as a student), Diane got her start in teaching at Lewis and Clark MS before coming back to her alma mater in 1997.

The 2018 CHS Teacher of the Year also sent her twin girls to Central. Listen to this charter member of "the Old '97s" and one of Central's most memorable educators tell her story.

(1:13) growing up, choosing CHS, working at Peony Park

(10:42) getting hired in OPS

(16:45) coming back to CHS

(21:42) English colleagues and holding up the standard

(25:02) Minority Scholars and Senior Class officers

(28:18) becoming a Central parent

(33:40) 2018 Teacher of the Year- Diane Allen

(36:44) deciding to retire in 2025

(40:00) Central in reflection

Host: Scott Wilson

Art: Beth Wilson

Intro and Mid-Pod Music: Drew Ruchti

Outro Music: Tallulah Hoeft- CHS '28 (sax and composition) and Luna Escalera - CHS '28 (piano). Produced by Gabriel Escalera

Thanks for listening to the show! "Chatting at the C" is supported by the Omaha Central High School Foundation. Consider supporting the CHSF by joining ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠"Generation C" ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠