One individual and one group to be inducted into the Jordan Public Schools Hall of Fame on October 2, 2026.

Immediate Release 8/21/26

One individual and one group to be inducted into the Jordan Public Schools Hall of Fame on October 2, 2026. 

Jordan Public Schools will host a Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Friday, October 2, 2026, at 5:00pm in the Jordan High School auditorium. Being honored in this ceremony will be one individual and one group with lifetime accomplishments in arts, athletics and contributions to Jordan Public Schools. 

Hall of Fame 2026 inductees include:

• Laurie Allmann, Class of 1976 – Fine Arts 

Laurie Allmann, Class of 1976, is being honored for her outstanding achievements in fine arts as an inductee into the Hall of Fame. An accomplished environmental writer, essayist, and poet, Allmann has shared her voice and perspective through her published works, including Far From Tame: Reflections from the Heart of Continent and An Hour from Now.  Her second book of poetry, titled Places, everyone, will be published in fall of 2026 by Nodin Press. Award-winning poet, essayist, and naturalist, Laurie brings decades of environmental advocacy and creative writing to her work exploring the natural world. Allmann was a longtime naturalist and program director at Carpenter Nature Center, Hastings. As a freelance science/conservation writer, she has worked with Minnesota Public Radio, the Science Museum of Minnesota, The Nature Conservancy, the Minnesota Land Trust, and the Bell Museum of Natural History, among others. She is co-editor of Agate magazine. Her acclaimed 1996 essay collection, Far from Tame: Reflections from the Heart of a Continent, earned a Minnesota Book Award for its thoughtful integration of regional ecology and narrative nonfiction. Known for her clear, spare, and unpretentious style, her writing translates rigorous ecological science into accessible literature that honors the wildness of the Upper Midwest. Allmann was also a trailblazer in Jordan athletics, serving as captain and starter on Jordan’s first-ever girls volleyball and basketball teams. Allmann also excelled in badminton, earning the Jordan program’s singles championship for three consecutive years. Through both her athletic achievements and her distinguished writing career, Allmann has made a lasting impact far beyond her years at Jordan High School. 

• 1958-1959 One Act Play “Aria Da Capo” – Team 

The Jordan High School 1958–1959 One Act Play cast and crew of Aria da Capo are being honored as Hall of Fame inductees for an extraordinary achievement that made school history. In 1959, the production captured the State Festival Championship, earning Jordan High School its first-ever state championship. 

Cast: Connie Knutson, George Colling, Les Ploen, Ed Beckman (posthumous), and Gary Fischer (posthumous) 

Student Director: Virginia Yarusso (posthumous)

Director: Frank Plut (posthumous)

Together, the cast and directors demonstrated exceptional talent, discipline, teamwork, and commitment to the performing arts. Their state championship established a proud tradition of excellence for Jordan High School and gave future generations of students a remarkable achievement to build upon. Jordan High School proudly recognizes the members of the 1958–1959 Aria da Capo production for their historic accomplishment and lasting contribution to the Jordan community. 

The induction ceremony for the Hall of Fame Class of 2026 will be open to the public. Following the induction ceremony, the Hall of Fame inductees will be honored at halftime of the Homecoming football game at Ames Field. 

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Date: October 2, 2026
Time: 5:00pm
Location: JHS Auditorium
600 Sunset Dr., Jordan, MN 55352

About Jordan Public School District 717
The mission of Jordan Public Schools is to inspire a caring community to ignite learning, innovation and success for all. The district is located on Highway 169, just nine miles south of Shakopee and 45 minutes south of Minneapolis and St. Paul, in the beautiful Minnesota River Valley. The student and family friendly academic campus, home to approximately 1,900 students, includes Jordan High School, Jordan Middle School, Jordan Elementary School, and Jordan Community Education and Recreation. Jordan Public Schools places an emphasis on educating 21st century learners and providing "real world experiences" throughout the district. The district is proud to include the only Parent Aware Four Star rated preschool program in Jordan. Full details and information for Jordan Public Schools can be found on the website > isd717.org.