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ISD 197 announced four new inductees into the Warrior Hall of Fame. These are members of the ISD 197 community who have “become a person of distinction from service to country, state, community, or school.”
The Warrior Hall of Fame Class of 2024 includes:
- Eugene “Gene” Atkins: Sibley Class of 1955 (deceased), a Navy veteran, teacher at Grass Junior High, mayor of Inver Grove Heights, and 30 years as a judge.
- Laura Ashley Grattan: Henry Sibley Class of 1999, decorated athlete and scholar at Henry Sibley and beyond.
- Erin Pash: Henry Sibley Class of 2005, the CEO and founder of Ellie Mental Health Services and a leading mental health advocate.
- Scott Van: Henry Sibley Class of 1974, all-conference athlete in three sports and ISD 197 Educational Foundation board member for more than 15 years.
Event: The 2024 class will be celebrated at the homecoming football game on Friday, September 27.
Selection process: Hall of Fame inductees were nominated by the community and chosen by a selection committee made up of the Two Rivers principal and activities director, plus Two Rivers staff and community members.
Warrior Hall of Fame Class of 2024
Below are details of the inductee biographies from ISD 197:
Eugene “Gene” Atkins
After graduating from Sibley High School in 1955, Gene Atkins dedicated over five decades to public service:
- Served in the U.S. Navy as a quartermaster.
- Taught history and civics at Grass Junior High in West St. Paul.
- Governor Rudy Perpich appointed Atkins to the First District Court in 1983 where he spent 30 years as a judge.
- Elected as the mayor of Inver Grove Heights from 1971 to 1978 and the Dakota County Board of Commissioners from 1979 to 1983 (his son, Joe Atkins, would also serve in both roles).
Atkins passed away in 2012, leaving a legacy as a teacher, attorney, judge, and public servant.
Laura Ashley Grattan
A 1999 graudate of Henry Sibley, Laura Ashley Grattan left a mark in athletics, academics, and community service:
- Athletics: A multi-sport athlete, Grattan excelled in soccer, basketball, and track and field. She led her soccer team to state and section championships, earned three-time All-State and four-time All-Conference honors, and led the state in scoring for Class AA. As a senior Grattan won the Mount Olivet Award for outstanding Minnesota high school female athlete of the year.
- Academics: Grattan graduated as valedictorian with a 4.0 GPA.
- Community: In high school she won the SAMMY Award, given to just 25 students nationally for excellence in athletics, academics, leadership, and community service. At Harvard Business School she volunteered with the Red Cross and has served on multiple nonprofit boards and coached youth sports.
Today, Grattan is a partner at Hg Capital and lives in the Boston area with her husband, Brendan, and three active boys, Drew, Cole, and Wes.
Erin Pash
A 2005 Henry Sibley graduate, Erin Pash is the CEO and founder of Ellie Mental Health Services. She grew the mental health provider from a single office to a nationwide presence with 225 clinics across 38 states. Pash is also an author, professional speaker, and content creator.
Pash designed the mental health wellness check program for the West St. Paul Police Department.
Her volunteer work includes the Two Rivers Athletic Association and ISD 197 Educational Foundation. She has six children and too many cats.
“There are two paths to successful business. One is you’re an entrepreneur and you try 20 things and one sticks. You’re passionate about entrepreneurship. The other is you’re passionate about one thing and because you’re so passionate, people can’t help but want to join you. That’s me.”
Erin Pash, By All Means podcast
Scott Van
A 1974 graduate of Henry Sibley, Scott Van was an all-conference athlete in soccer, swimming, and track. He played on the school’s first soccer team and became a track and field state champion in high hurdles.
Van made the “A Honor Roll” throughout high school and received an Optimist Club academic achievement award as a senior.
Van’s three daughters graduated from Henry Sibley, and he has served on the ISD 197 Educational Foundation Board for over 15 years, supporting academic opportunities for students.
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