Legacy Stadium Wall of Fame Award
The Cherry Creek School District Board of Education considers a legacy to be “a gift handed down from the past.” The Cherry Creek Legacy Stadium Educational Leadership Wall of Fame Award recognizes those individuals and groups who go beyond the day-to-day demands of their position to create an exceptional educational environment in the Cherry Creek School District.
Legacy Stadium Educational Leadership Wall of Fame Award recipients include former superintendents Dr. Richard Koeppe, Dr. Robert Tschirki, Dr. Monte Moses and Mary Chesley, school and district administrator John Buckner, educators Jack Platt, Dr. Judy Hilton, and Eric Flor, community volunteer Robin Thorsen and a group of Polton Award Honorees. Karen Fisher and Michael Langlett are the most recent additions to the Wall of Fame, honored in April 2026.
You can visit the Legacy Stadium Wall of Fame at Legacy Stadium 26101 E. Arapahoe Road, Aurora, CO 80016.
Meet our Honorees
Karen Fisher
For decades, Karen Fisher served the children and families of Cherry Creek Schools - first as a dedicated parent leader and community volunteer, then as a two-term Board of Education member. As Board President, she championed innovative career pathways, expanded school-based health centers and mental health supports, and helped secure critical funding through successful bond and mill initiatives. Her visionary, compassionate leadership leaves a lasting legacy for generations.
Inducted into the Wall of Fame 2026
Michael Langlett
While serving as Executive Director of Auxiliary Services, Michael led the new construction or renovation of every building in CCSD during a period of rapid growth. In every instance, he delivered an outstanding facility. Michael leaves a remarkable legacy for the construction projects he supervised, including Legacy Stadium, but his leadership, hard work, and integrity are even more cherished, and embody the district motto of “Dedicated to Excellence.”
Inducted into the Wall of Fame 2026
Janice McDonald
Longtime district volunteer, employee, and board member
As a member of the Cherry Creek School District Board of Education, Janice McDonald always asked "How are the children?". This question prioritized children in every decision made and every action taken by McDonald and her fellow Board members. McDonald worked tirelessly to strengthen community involvement and close the achievement gap for all students. Through her focused, thoughtful, and compassionate leadership, she ensured that the children of Cherry Creek have every opportunity to learn, thrive, and succeed.
Inducted into the Wall of Fame 2025
Mary Chesley
Superintendent of Schools 2009-2013
Mary Chesley fostered a culture of learning and furthered academic excellence in Cherry Creek Schools even as she led the district through on of the most difficult economic periods in its history. An inspirational leader, she established Veterans Week in Cherry Creek Schools. Her legacy of compassion, collaboration, and commitment to children carries through to the present and serves as a bridge to our future.
Inducted into the Wall of Fame 2017
Dr. Judy Hilton
District Administration 1979-2000
Dr. Judy Hilton demonstrated the importance of leadership in elevating the educational experience for students while instilling a culture of excellence throughout the district. She expected the best of each of us in the service of students and modeled those high expectations in her own daily work. Her contributions as a visionary, mentor, and keen intellect have forever bettered Cherry Creek Schools.
Inducted into the Wall of Fame 2017
John Buckner
District Administration 1975-2008
John Buckner was a fearless and inspirational leader in the Cherry Creek School District for 33 years. A courageous man with the backbone to stand in the storm, he also served in the Colorado legislature. He was a tireless community servant, a champion of children, and a mentor for teachers and administrators, especially those of color. He empowered countless students and educators to achieve their dreams.
Eric Flor
District Administration 1987-2014
Eric Flor is the epitome of an inspirational leader. During and even after his time in the Cherry Creek School District, he helped forge the next generation of school and district leaders through his integrity, commitment, and compassion. He led by example, was exceptional at building and valuing relationships, modeled how to take care of people, and, more importantly, always put students first.
Dr. Jack Platt
District Administration 1956-1994
Dr. Jack Platt's foresight in establishing K-12 curriculum built the foundation for the districts PreK-12 program. He fostered the adoption of innovative and best practices in all subject areas. His compassion, integrity, and fierce dedication to excellence set an example for all to follow.
Inducted into the Wall of Fame 2012
Dr. Monte Moses
Superintendent of Schools 1999-2003
Dr. Monte Moses advanced the district during a period of rapid and diverse growth. Under his visionary leadership, the district pursued the goals of excellence, equity, and college preparedness for all students.
Inducted into the Wall of Fame 2012
Dr. Robert Tschirki
Superintendent of Schools 1990-1999
Dr. Robert Tschirki elevated the Cherry Creek School District's tradition of excellence through focus, energy, and commitment. He strengthened us all by valuing each person, striving for excellence, and being a role model of integrity.
Inducted into the Wall of Fame 2012
Dr. Richard Koeppe
Superintendent of Schools 1972-1987
Dr. Richard Koeppe led the district with wit, wisdom, and direction during a period of rapid growth. Under his leadership, the Cherry Creek School District became known as one of the best in Colorado and the nation.
Inducted into the Wall of Fame 2012
Robin Thorsen
Exemplary volunteer
Robin Thorsen furthered the welfare of students by being an exemplary volunteer whose commitment to excellence included chairing three bond and budget elections, championing the developmental assets, and serving in many school and community leadership positions.
Russell C. Polton Memorial Award
Prior to the Legacy Stadium Wall of Fame, the award was the Russell C. Polton Memorial Award.
Because he had them in such great abundance, and because he was a generous man, Russell Polton gave us these gifts:
Grace when we were awkward
Understanding when we would not understand
Dignity when we lost ours
Strength when we weakened
Reason when we were torn by emotion
Integrity when we doubted even ourselves
Unity when we were divided and, above all
The selflessness of his own service
Russell C. Polton Memorial Award Honorees
The following individuals have received the award:
1976 Evelyn Price
1977 Joseph Cordova
1977 Winifred Decker
1979 Roberta Sadler
1980 Lorraine Delay
1980 Robert Wilson
1982 Luree Wolff
1983 Virginia Berry
1983 Don Goe
1984 Joan Burdick
1988 Gerry Ingram
1988 Richard L. Banta, Jr.
1989 George Mansfield
1989 Patricia Hayes
1989 Kurby Lyle
1991 Norma Sherman
1991 Louise Woelber
1993 Raymond "Pete" Peterson
1997 Grace K. Tanaka
1999 Robert D. Tschirki
1999 Terry T. Conley
2000 Mike Woolford
2001 Paul N. Tschetter, M.D.
Legacy Stadium Wall of Fame Award Nomination Process
For more information about the Legacy Stadium Educational Leadership Wall of Fame Award, see Board of Education policy BDF-R-8.
Article VI: Nomination Process (from BOE policy BDF-R-8)
Section I: Categories of Nominees
Eligible categories of recipients, along with presumptive minimum service requirements, include, without limitation, the following:
- District level administrators (ten years)
- School level administrators (ten years)
- Board of Education members (ten years, including other volunteer service or employment)
- Community volunteers (ten years)
- Legislator (member of the Colorado General Assembly or United States Congress for eight years, plus other volunteer service or employment)
- Teachers (twenty years)
- Classified personnel (twenty years)
- Members of committees, boards, organizations or groups, etc. (five years)
- Other categories (may be considered)
Section II: Criteria for Nominees
- Nominees must have a minimum of five (5) years experience of direct involvement with the Cherry Creek School District. Recipients’ contributions must demonstrate more than a brief burst of brilliance; they must stand the test of time and leave a lasting legacy. Accordingly, except in cases of obvious legacy, recipients shall not be honored prior to two years following final termination of formalized service to the school district.
- Efforts of nominees must have revolved around the District’s mission to “inspire every student to think, to learn, to achieve and to care.” Specifically, nominees must be individuals or groups who demonstrate some or all of the following:
- Capture the “spirit of excellence” that permeates the District;
- Demonstrate effective and inspirational leadership;
- Demonstrate and encourage creativity, innovation, and best practices;
- Foster cooperation between the District and the community;
- Maintain a continuing dialogue with students and parents as well as faculty and staff;
- Keep abreast of developments in the field of education;
- Encourage team spirit and unity;
- Exemplify commitment to the vision and mission of the District;
Section III: Procedures for Nominations
- The WFAC will publicly announce that it is accepting nominations not less than every two years. In years that nominations are solicited, an announcement will be made at the beginning of each school year.
- Nominations may be made by anyone, except that individuals may not nominate themselves.
- Members of the nominating committee may not be nominated during the time they are serving on the committee
- Nominations shall be made by completion of the nomination form as described in BDF-E-1, Wall of Fame Educational Leadership Awards Nomination Form
- Nominations must also include:
- No more than five (5) significant and substantive letters of support by individuals including the person making the nomination
- A career summary
- A description of contributions in one or more of the nomination criteria described above
- All nominations are due by November 15 of the years in which there is a call for nominations.
- There shall be no requirement for one or more nominations to be submitted in any year
- No more than two nominees shall be submitted to the Board of Education in any one school year
- Following receipt of a nomination, the Board of Education shall, in its sole and absolute discretion, determine whether a nominee shall be honored
- Announcement of honoree(s) shall be made no later than March 1 of any year