09/24/2026
The Hall of Fame Induction is next Friday, October 2! The 2026 inductees are Victor Braden, Dr. Wakon Fowler and Linda Stelzer. Congratulations to each inductee and their family! The Reception and Induction Ceremony will be on Friday, October 2, starting at 5 pm in the Vernon Filley Art Museum. Also, each inductee will be introduced at the Homecoming Assembly at 1:30 pm in the PHS gym. Each inductee's picture will be permanently displayed in the Greenback Hall of Fame Display located in the Pratt High School Commons.
The public is invited to attend the Reception and Induction Ceremony. There is no cost for attendees; however, reservations are highly encouraged for planning purposes. Please contact Hannah RItz at Pratt High School at 620-672-4540 or email ([email protected]) We hope that you can stop by prior to the football game and congratulate our inductees!
The Greenback Hall of Fame was established as a way to honor and recognize the successes and accomplishments of Pratt High School alumni. These inductees will join the other HOF individuals, alumni and contributors who have made a significant contribution to the Greenback traditions of grit, team, respect, passion, and valor. The Greenback Hall of Fame Display and HOF Induction Ceremony are both funded through donations and at no cost to the USD 382 taxpayers.
Here is a brief introduction to each of our 2026 Greenback Hall of Fame Inductees.
VICTOR BRADEN
Major General Victor Braden, a 1978 Pratt High School graduate, has dedicated his life to service through both military leadership and public safety. Since 2018, he has commanded the 35th Infantry Division of the Kansas National Guard at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, building upon extensive overseas service in Kuwait, Bosnia, and Germany. His distinguished military career has earned numerous honors, including the Legion of Merit and two Bronze Stars for heroic or meritorious achievement in a combat zone. In his civilian career, Major General Braden served from 2010 to 2024 as leader of the Kansas Attorney General’s Criminal Litigation Division, overseeing the prosecution of murderers, major drug traffickers, and child predators. He holds a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Kansas and a Juris Doctor degree from Washburn University. Through his exceptional leadership, commitment to justice, and service to both state and nation, Major General Braden exemplifies a life of service to all Americans.
DR. WAKON FOWLER
Dr Wakon Fowler is a life-long resident of Pratt and graduated from PHS in 1988. He began practicing as a physician in 1999. For over 15 years, his clinic performed sports physicals on students and donated the proceeds to the booster club. He is one of the founding members of the Agape clinic, which provides monthly free medical care to the under-resourced patrons in the community. Wakon is an active member of his church, serving in various leadership and instructional positions. He has also volunteered for 10 medical mission trips to Peru, bringing needed care to the unreached population. Dr Fowler has proudly served the Pratt community for 27 years through delivering hundreds of babies and caring for many generations of families throughout their lives.
LINDA STELZER
Linda was a PHS graduate in the Class of 1968. Her educational philosophy was to build the foundation of children’s minds and spirits that would “Open Attitudes, Open Doors”, guiding them into the future. For 41 years, Linda balanced high-touch connection with high-tech equity. She turned her classroom into a sanctuary—using a porch swing, sailboat, and balloon volleyball to ensure every middle schooler felt fiercely seen and included. A pioneer in digital learning, Linda replaced traditional workbooks with iPads and iMovies, leveling the playing field so every student could shine regardless of their background. By bridging the gap between a child’s world and the classroom, the Kansas Teacher Hall of Fame inductee proved that innovation and belonging are the true foundations for a successful life.