Passing Periods Alumni Luncheon Series

The Passing Periods luncheon of 2025 featuring guest speaker Pete Festersen, CHS 1989. The longest serving member of the City Council in Omaha history, Pete was first elected to the City Council in 2009 and has served several terms as President. The third generation in his family to attend Central, Pete has held senior management positions with the Greater Omaha Chamber and the Peter Kiewit Foundation and was Deputy Chief of Staff to the Mayor. This luncheon was held at the Field Club of Omaha on October 10, 2025, and was emceed by J. Scott Barker, CHS 1981.

The Passing Periods luncheon of 2024, featuring guest speaker Pat Venditte, CHS 2004. Pat is a 2024 Hall of Fame inductee who made Major League Baseball history as the first ambidextrous pitcher in the modern era. His unique skill led to a change in baseball’s rules unofficially dubbed “The Venditte Rule” which requires the pitcher to declare his pitching hand before facing each batter. This luncheon was held at the Field Club of Omaha on October 18, 2024, and emceed by Alec Rome, CHS 2018.

The Passing Periods luncheon of 2023, featuring guest speaker Harry Gaylor. Harry is a 2022 Hall of Fame inductee who spent a remarkable 51 years as a classroom educator in OPS, highlighted by 36 years teaching at Central and leading the school’s award-winning DECA program. This luncheon was held at the Field Club of Omaha on October 20, 2023, and emceed by Alec Rome, CHS 2018.

The second Passing Periods luncheon of 2022, featuring guest speaker Jennifer Gruber, CHS 1994. Jenny is a NASA manager and engineer and 2022 Hall of Fame inductee This luncheon was held at the Field Club of Omaha on October 21, 2022, and emceed by Keith Bigsby, Ed.D.

The first Passing Periods luncheon of 2022, featuring guest speaker Rachel Jacobson, CHS 1996. Rachel is the founder of Film Streams who currently serves as President of Heritage Omaha. This luncheon was held at the Field Club of Omaha on March 8, 2022, and emceed by Keith Bigsby, Ed.D.

The only Passing Periods luncheon of 2021, featuring guest speaker Ms. Dionne Kirksey. This luncheon was held at the Omaha Press Club and emceed by Keith Bigsby Ed.D. Ms. Dionne Kirksey is the 20th principal of Central High School and the second female principal in school history.

The first Passing Periods luncheon of 2020, featuring guest speaker Sam Johnson, CHS 1981

The final Passing Periods luncheon of 2019, featuring guest speakers Mike Gaherty and Henry Cordes ('81)

The first Central High School Foundation "Passing Periods" Luncheon of 2019, featuring emcee Dr. Keith Bigsby, Bob McMeen, and Pete Wilger.