Chatting at the C

Jenn Emanuel is a 1989 Central High graduate and now a Math teacher at her alma mater. After a circuitous route in teaching and the business world, Jenn landed back at CHS in 2016. Known for high standards for her students, Jenn helps uphold the Central expectations and traditions that were instilled in her while she was an Eagle. Join us for this fun and heartfelt conversation with Ms. Emanuel! (...

Greg Emmel was principal at Omaha Central High School from 2006-2010. The Sioux Falls native spent 33 years in OPS before retiring into a job where he helps students who are struggling to get back on track. High School valedictorian. Pink Floyd fan. Proud dad and devoted husband. Join us for a conversation with a man who has dedicated his life to helping kids. (00:26) Sioux Falls, family, and a pa...

Charles Hinkle was the Social Studies Department Chair at Omaha Central from 2003 to 2009. Before he got into education, Colonel Hinkle was a USAF pilot in two wars during a 26-year military career. Please give a listen to this Kansas native's journey from far reaching locations around the globe all the way to CHS' Capitol Hill. (00:28) Kansas youth and sibling influences (10:00) B-52 and helicopt...

This is a special Memorial Day episode. Rob O'Brien is an Amsterdam-based filmmaker whose latest documentary project "The Adopted" looks at the grave adoption program at the Netherlands American Cemetery in Margraten . Each of the over 8,000 WWII American dead buried there are "adopted" by grateful local people as a way to preserve the memory of these individuals and as an...

Deron "The Worm" Larson has taught English and Creative Writing at Omaha Central since 2002. This humble, generous, and kind man has 3 Central graduates that call him "dad". Deron was also a chain crew member, an Old Man Basketball legend (where he earned the exalted "worm" nickname), as well as the Slam Poetry and Fine Lines sponsor. Ray Dewaele ("DeWally World") spent 45 years in education at ma...

As Central's IB students prepare this week to grapple with their big exams, let's chat with Cathy Andrus who was a counselor, and later Central's Guidance Director, before being instrumental in bringing the International Baccalaureate Programme to Omaha Central. As the first IB coordinator at CHS, Cathy helped shape Central's future by adding to its Tradition of Excellence. Through the vision to s...

We welcome Omaha Central counselor Michelle (Pleiss) Synowiecki to the podcast. Michelle started at CHS in 2002 as a long-term sub, before quickly moving to Social Studies where she became a favorite among the CHS student body. Michelle also coached the girls soccer team to their only State Tournament appearance in 2005, before focusing on a career in counseling. Join two old friends for a fun con...

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...

It is Opening Week for high school baseball in Nebraska, and we are joined by long-time Omaha Central coach and Special Education teacher Jerry Kreber. From Iowa to the Omaha Public Schools, Coach Kreber has always put hard work at the center of all he does. Join us as we discuss his amazing career path to becoming the Head Coach of Central Baseball. (00:26) Iowa youth, family, college, and baseba...

The Boumas have a long history at Omaha Central. Lyn was choir director from 1993 until she retired in 2021. Lyn's husband and accompanist Stephen is a 1981 Eagle, but his family history at Central reaches back into the 19th century. Their daughter Claire is a 2021 Eagle graduate (5th generation) and now carries on the family tradition as a music teacher in Minnesota. Hear about the award-winning...

We are joined by outstanding history teacher and 2016 Central Eagle McKenna Paintin to talk about her journey from CHS grad to CHS teacher, and the "butterfly effect" of her choice to attend Central back in 2012. She is one of the MANY talented young teacher alums who have returned to The Nest. It was fun to talk with someone at the start of their Central teaching career. (00:32) OPS kid and picki...

We chatted with Pete Wilger , retired Performing Arts Dept. Chair, marching and pep band leader and all-around good egg. Pete grew up in OPS, started his career in Yutan, and then came to Central in 1991 and worked here until his retirement in 2018. Pete recieved the Alice Buffett Award in 2008, the Central HS Teacher of the Year Award in 2010, and was the Nebraska Music Educator of the Year in 20...

The great Dr. Gaylord E. “Doc” Moller was at Central from 1963 until his retirement in 1995, including the last 27 years as principal. He grew up and taught originally in small town Nebraska (“Doc” was a childhood nickname) before coming to downtown Omaha. An entire generation of Eagle students and faculty members recall his tenure at the helm of Central with great fondness. Enjoy this “Moller-gra...

Stan Standifer taught P.E. at Omaha Central from 1971-2003. He also coached football, girls volleyball, and girls and boys basketball. Stan grew up in OPS and was football star at UNO, even earning a roster invite from the Oakland Raiders before settling in to his career at CHS. Stan also served during Desert Storm with the US Navy Reserves. Coach Stan remains a positive memory for so many in the...

The incomparable Rita Ryan taught Latin at Omaha Central for 42 years, from 1971-2013. Rita was inducted the following year into the Central Hall of Fame . She took Eagle students and families to Europe 15 times, and ran the country's oldest Latin Club while at CHS. For generations of Eagles, a Rita Ryan mention brings a smile to their faces everytime. Rita passed away in 2022. The Register on her...

We are joined by legendary 1992 Omaha Central grad and former basketball coach Eric Behrens to talk about his days as a student at CHS, his historic run as coach, a member of CHS' blue ribbon chain crew, and then moving on to being a college coach and now a principal in OPS. Join us for a great, extended conversation with Eric, and stay tuned for some orginal music from some talented CHS music...

Dan Daly taught English at Omaha Central from 1962-1999 and served as Department Chair from 1976-99. Dan discussed his approach to English teaching, his success in the AP program, and other thoughts about changes at CHS during his tenure. Dan was a 1989 Alice Buffett Award winner and was Central's Teacher of the Year for 1972. He was inducted into the ⁠Central Hall of Fame in 2011.⁠ This interview...

We chatted with the wonderful Jean Whitten who taught science at Omaha Central High from 1996 until her retirement in 2015. Jean was at Lewis and Clark MS for 5 years before that, but her story starts in the state of Texas and winds around the United States until landing in The Nest. As a Central parent to two Eagles, Science department chair, wilderness expedition leader, and fantastic colleague,...

Virginia Lee Pratt (CHS 1937) taught at her alma mater, Omaha Central High School, from 1941-1982. She was a math teacher and Math Department Chair. Ms. Pratt is in the Central Hall of Fame. Ms. Pratt was 88 at the time of this interview. She passed in 2015 at 96 in Omaha. This interview was conducted in August of 2007 by: Barry Combs (1950) HOF Dr. Orville Menard (1951) HOF Dr. Jim Wigton (1966)...

Matt Shafer taught business and coached at Omaha Central from 1997-2004. Matt's son and daughter both later attended CHS, and his son Jackson returned as a Math teacher in 2019, another one of Central's faculty members from the alumni ranks. (1:10) Matt's youth and influential teachers (11:35) hired at Lewis and Clark MS (19:40) moving to Central HS (27:30) moving to Alice Buffett MS (...

On this “Hall of Fame Week” episode we talk about Omaha Central Hall of Fame Distinguished Educator Paul Semrad. Paul was at CHS from 1973-2005. He taught Social Studies, was Central's very first Girls Basketball coach (where he won back-to-back titles and a Class A record 58 straight wins in 1983 and 1984), and then finished his career as an Asst. Principal. Paul passed away in 2020, but we sat d...

Another special "Central High history" episode! This episode focuses on Omaha Central Hall of Famer Marion G. Crandell from the Omaha High School Class of 1889. Marion, who was a French language teacher, volunteered to go to France during The Great War in 1918 to help soldiers behind the lines recuperate from combat. Marion was killed during the German offensive in March of 1918 and is believed to...

We are joined by retired Central Social Studies teacher and head football coach, Jay Ball . Jay is a 1980 CHS graduate , who taught and coached in OPS for 30 years, including from 2006-2017 at Omaha Central High School. Jay was heavily influenced by his father Jerry, but Jay also notes the numerous great teachers, coaches, and colleagues who helped him along the way. Jay won a State football title...

Special "Central history" episode. We normally talk about Omaha Central teachers, but we had such a great opportunity to talk about CHS Hall of Famer John Pehle (CHS 1926) with historian Rebecca Erbelding. John attended Creighton and Yale Law School before starting at the Treasury Department under Secretary Henry Morgenthau, Jr. . During WWII, John advocated for, and then ran, the War Refugee Boar...

What happens when two long-time teacher friends sit down for a chat? You get a mega-pod. We are joined by veteran Omaha Central High teacher, Social Studies Department chair, and former CHS wrestling coach Jimmie Foster to talk about his 28+ years at Central and much more... (1:42) growing up in Oklahoma (6:00) Shannon/ Coach Denney at UNO/ OOOSSS! orgins (12:50) OPS' Minority Interns program (23:...