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    Support

    If maintaining Central High School's Tradition of Excellence is something that’s important to you, there is a way to give.

    • Make a Donation Make a donation to support Central High School.
    • Generation “C” Annual campaign meeting emerging needs and challenges.
    • Honor and Memorial Giving Give in honor of family, friends, or to celebrate special occasions.
    • The Legacy Fund You have the power to share your Legacy.
    • Matching Gifts Double your donation through matching gifts from employers.
    • First Class Challenge An exciting rivalry for classes holding reunions each year.
    • Planned Giving Plan ahead for continuing to give or through an estate.
    • Scholarships Awarding endowed scholarships to graduating seniors.
    • Sponsorships Corporate partners support education in their communities.
    • Emergency Fund Support students and staff through short-term financial difficulties.
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  • Events

    Events

    Your pride in Central High School — and its pride in you — are lifelong. Attend an event to connect with Central alumni and supporters.

    • Alumni Luncheon Series Catch up with friends and teachers you haven't seen since first period.
    • Rock the Nest Trivia Night Test your knowledge at our annual interactive trivia contest.
    • Senior Recognition Ceremony Honoring distinguished graduating Central High School seniors.
    • Golf Fore Eagles Play a round of golf with alumni at the historic Field Club of Omaha.
    • Hall of Fame Recognizing distinguished alumni, faculty, and community supporters.
    • Affinity Reunions Reminisce about your favorite Central memories during virtual reunions.
    • StrivTV Watch live events, including games and recognitions, on StrivTV.
  • Newsroom

    Newsroom

    No matter where you are, stay connected to The Nest by browsing publications and multimedia in the Newsroom.

    • Podcast Listen to interviews of Central alumni on the Eagle Tales podcast.
    • Blog Read the Quill & Feather, the official blog of the Central High School Foundation.
    • Media Read about the Central High School Foundation in local media.
    • Newsletters Catch up on news you might have missed in our newsletter archive.
    • O-Book Archives Relive memories by visiting our searchable yearbook archive.
    • Register Archives Browse the archive of the oldest newspaper west of the Mississippi.
    • Publications Browse historical documents written and researched by alumni.
    • Annual Reports Read our yearly publication detailing accomplishments and stories.
    • Press Releases View statements released to local media.
  • Alumni

    Alumni

    We are proud of the accomplishments that our alumni family - 35,000 worldwide - achieve every day.

    • Reunions We all like to keep in touch, and reunions are a great way to do that.
    • Update Your Record Has your name changed? Mailing address? Update your record today.
    • Lost Alumni We have lost track of these alumni! Help us locate your lost classmates.
    • Deceased Alumni In memory of our classmates who have passed away.
    • Alumni Library Explore the literary and artistic achievements of Central’s alumni.
    • War Casualties In Honor of Those Who Served, In Memory of Those Who Died.
    • Alumni Store Purchase Central merchandise and gifts in our alumni store.
    • CHS Memories Read favorite memories from alumni about their time at Central.
    • Resources Visit this page for preferred vendors of Central High School.
  • Search

  • About
  • Support
    • Make a Donation Make a donation to support Central High School.
    • Generation “C” Annual campaign meeting emerging needs and challenges.
    • Honor and Memorial Giving Give in honor of family, friends, or to celebrate special occasions.
    • The Legacy Fund You have the power to share your Legacy.
    • Matching Gifts Double your donation through matching gifts from employers.
    • First Class Challenge An exciting rivalry for classes holding reunions each year.
    • Planned Giving Plan ahead for continuing to give or through an estate.
    • Scholarships Awarding endowed scholarships to graduating seniors.
    • Sponsorships Corporate partners support education in their communities.
    • Emergency Fund Support students and staff through short-term financial difficulties.
  • Impact
  • Events
    • Alumni Luncheon Series Catch up with friends and teachers you haven't seen since first period.
    • Rock the Nest Trivia Night Test your knowledge at our annual interactive trivia contest.
    • Senior Recognition Ceremony Honoring distinguished graduating Central High School seniors.
    • Golf Fore Eagles Play a round of golf with alumni at the historic Field Club of Omaha.
    • Hall of Fame Recognizing distinguished alumni, faculty, and community supporters.
    • Affinity Reunions Reminisce about your favorite Central memories during virtual reunions.
    • StrivTV Watch live events, including games and recognitions, on StrivTV.
  • Newsroom
    • Podcast Listen to interviews of Central alumni on the Eagle Tales podcast.
    • Blog Read the Quill & Feather, the official blog of the Central High School Foundation.
    • Media Read about the Central High School Foundation in local media.
    • Newsletters Catch up on news you might have missed in our newsletter archive.
    • O-Book Archives Relive memories by visiting our searchable yearbook archive.
    • Register Archives Browse the archive of the oldest newspaper west of the Mississippi.
    • Publications Browse historical documents written and researched by alumni.
    • Annual Reports Read our yearly publication detailing accomplishments and stories.
    • Press Releases View statements released to local media.
  • Alumni
    • Reunions We all like to keep in touch, and reunions are a great way to do that.
    • Update Your Record Has your name changed? Mailing address? Update your record today.
    • Lost Alumni We have lost track of these alumni! Help us locate your lost classmates.
    • Deceased Alumni In memory of our classmates who have passed away.
    • Alumni Library Explore the literary and artistic achievements of Central’s alumni.
    • War Casualties In Honor of Those Who Served, In Memory of Those Who Died.
    • Alumni Store Purchase Central merchandise and gifts in our alumni store.
    • CHS Memories Read favorite memories from alumni about their time at Central.
    • Resources Visit this page for preferred vendors of Central High School.
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Home Hall of Fame Henry Cordes

Hall of Fame | Class of 1981

Henry Cordes

Over nearly four decades with The Omaha World-Herald, Cordes has been recognized as one of Nebraska’s most influential journalists. He joined the paper’s sports department months after graduating from Central in 1981. Upon graduating from UNO he joined the news staff covering crime. He went on to serve six years as statehouse bureau chief and has since specialized in public policy, special projects and investigations. He’s the only five-time winner of UNL’s Sorensen Award, awarded each year to recognize Nebraska’s most distinguished work of journalism. His investigative work has shined light on poverty in north Omaha, revealed a finance scandal that forced the resignation of the chancellor of his college alma mater, and uncovered excessive executive pay at Goodwill, leading to wholesale leadership changes. His story on a 2007 mass shooting was featured in the Poynter Institute’s book “Best Newspaper Writing,” and he has won national awards for deadline writing, sports writing and investigative reporting. He served as president of the Omaha Press Club and authored three books, two on Nebraska football history and one on an Omaha serial killer. His proudest accomplishment, though, is fathering two 2017 Central grads, daughters Thelma and Lucy.

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