Omaha High School opened with five teachers on staff
1911
Name Central High School began to be used
1915
Legendary English teacher Sara Vore Taylor completed the first version of the Style Book
1922
The Annual was renamed to the O Book
1926
The “Eagle” nickname was adopted
1957
Newsweek named Central to top 38 high schools in the nation
1962
First annual Homecoming celebrated in November
1977
“Purple Feather Day” was started by P.E.P. (Parents, Educators & Pupils)
1979
Central officially added to National Register of Historic Places
1984
Separate stairwells ended - both boys & girls could use either one
1996
Central High School Foundation was created
2001
Old cafeteria space on 4th floor was converted to computer labs
2005
Seemann Stadium opened & dedicated
2008
Sports Illustrated named Central High School one of the top ten high school athletic programs in the country
2010
Generation C is formed and Keith and Michele Bigsby and Dave and Carol Van Metre are first Co-Chairs
Generation “C” Mission Statement
Generation “C” is the official support group recognized by Central High School. The mission is to contribute to the advancement of Central High School to achieve the following goals:
- Raise money for special projects and services for Central High School and Student and Alumni activities that are not provided through the district budget allocation.
- Sponsor and conduct activities which foster positive community, family and student spirit.
- Ensure good communication and exchange of information between Central High School and its supporters.
Contributions are tax deductible and all usage is approved by the Principal and the Central High School Foundation Board of Directors.
Eagle Levels
For your convenience, we have established two ways for you to join!
Click here to print and mail your donation
(Adobe Acrobat PDF, link opens in a new window)Make your payment online via credit card or PayPal:
Select your preferred Eagle Level and click the PayPal donate button below:
* Dues are good for 12 months after receipt of payment.
Questions? Call (402) 556-1996 or email micheler@chsfomaha.org
Generation “C” Co-Chairs
Dr. Keith and Michele Bigsby
Dr. Keith Bigsby became the 18th principal of Central High
School on July 1st, 2010. Keith, who has been with the
Omaha Public Schools for the past 28 years, has served as a
teacher, department head, assistant principal and a coach
at Central. Dr. Bigsby has also been involved with a number
of curricular and community initiatives that continue to
impact Central High School. These efforts include co-writing
the WINGS 21 (Workforce Initiative for the Next Generation of
Students for the 21st century) Nebraska Lottery Grant, the U.S.
Department of Education Urban and Rural Opportunities
Grant, and the TRIO College Bound - Upward Bound Grant.
Michele is an Assistant Director in the Management
Information Systems Department at Werner Enterprises. Keith
and Michele have been married for 25 years. While neither
Keith nor Michele attended Central, their daughters Casey
(CHS 2005), Michaela (CHS 2012) and Maureen (CHS 2014)
are Eagles.
L-R: Keith & Michele Bigsby, Carol & Dave Van Metre.
Dave and Carol Van Metre
The Van Metres have significantly enhanced the health and
well being for students at Central High School through
contributions that created state-of-the-art weight training
and fitness facilities at the school. While neither Dave nor
Carol attended Central, their sons David (CHS ’82) and
James (CHS ’81) enjoyed academic and athletic success,
and the family has shown support for Central ever since.
Mostly recently the City of Omaha, named the Central High
School softball field at
Columbus Park,
Van Metre Field, in
recognition for their
efforts in raising
thousands of dollars for
athletic fields across
the city to build and
improve softball,
baseball, soccer,
tennis and football
facilities for the
Omaha Public
Schools.