The 2025-2026 class of the Wall of Honor at Hutchinson High School features a trio of HHS alumni.
The honorees are Brett Ballard, class of 1998; Glenna Burden, class of 1991; and Dwight Hemmerling, class of 1966.
Sponsored by the HHS Alumni Association and Hutchinson High School, the group will be honored during a banquet at 6:00 p.m. Thursday, September 25 in the HHS Career and Technical Education Academy, 800 15th Circle. The public is invited and encouraged to attend as we celebrate three individuals who have dedicated their lives to making Hutchinson and the world a better place.
Reservations must be made and purchased in advance for the banquet. Seats cost $15 each and can be purchased weekdays at the HHS main office, 810 East 13th, from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. from September 2 through September 19.
The three honorees formally will take their place on the Wall of Honor prior to the Homecoming Game at about 6:20 p.m. Friday, September 26th at Gowan’s Stadium.
For more information, call (620) 615-4100.
Brett Ballard, Class of 1998
After graduating from Hutchinson High School in 1998, Brett played basketball at Hutchinson Community College before completing his collegiate career and earning his degree at the University of Kansas. There, he was part of a Final Four team in the storied Jayhawks program under legendary coach Roy Williams.
His passion for competition and teaching quickly transitioned into coaching. He served on staff and won National Championship at KU under Bill Self and later became head coach at Baker University.
In 2017, Brett was named Head Men’s Basketball Coach at Washburn University. Under his leadership, the Ichabods have become one of the premier NCAA Division II programs in the nation. Known for his commitment to excellence, character, and student-athlete development, Brett has guided Washburn to multiple NCAA Tournament appearances and a conference championship.
His impact reaches far beyond wins and losses—shaping young lives through mentorship, discipline, and integrity. A respected leader in the coaching community and a proud Kansan, Brett Ballard embodies the values of determination, humility, and service that define Hutchinson High School.
Glenna Burden, Class of 1991
A fierce proponent of student empowerment, Glenna believes in giving students the skills, opportunities, and encouragement they need to succeed in their life path. Education is the opportunity everyone has to gain skills for any path they take.
While attending Hutchinson High School (1987-1991), Glenna was very active in Debate and Forensics, qualifying for national competition three times, and was ranked in the top 15 National Forensics League students in the nation. At Southwestern College, she competed in debate and graduated magna cum laude in 1994. She earned her Master's Degree in Teaching from Friends University.
Glenna believes that it is a tremendous honor and a great responsibility to work with young people, helping them find their passion and pursue it. Creating a Government and English class for technical career students is just one of the ways that Glenna seeks to connect students with the real-world applications of their learning. Exposing students to experiences and opportunities for learning is Glenna’s core belief about what education should deliver. In line with that philosophy, Glenna is very involved in many educational pursuits, always with the goal of helping students gain better life preparation. She serves as faculty advisor to outside organizations and to several activities and programs at the high school. She loves teaching and encourages students to advocate for themselves and stay persistent.
Dwight Hemmerling, Class of 1966
Dwight attended Hutchinson High School, graduating in 1966 with an excellent academic foundation. A standout athlete for the Salthawks, he earned Second Team All-State honors in football and won a state championship in heavyweight wrestling.
Awarded athletic scholarships to Kansas State University, Dwight lettered in both football and wrestling. In 1971, he was the wrestling team’s High Point Man and qualified for the NCAA Tournament. That year, Dwight graduated from KSU and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Infantry through ROTC. He served on active duty and in the Reserves, earning an honorable discharge as a Captain. Dwight is a member of the American Legion.
Dwight spent nine years teaching several subjects and coaching wrestling, football, and track in Wamego and Marysville. During that time, Dwight earned master’s degrees in Physical Education and School Building & District-Level Administration. He was a long-standing member of Phi Epsilon Kappa and Phi Delta Kappa education honoraries for 50 years.
He served 25 years as a building administrator and athletic director across K–12 education. For ten years, he represented schools on the KSHSAA Board of Directors at both high school and middle school levels. During his tenure, four significant changes were implemented: Rule 10, allowing non-educators to coach; Rule 52, establishing sportsmanship standards; introduction of the 3-Point Line for basketball; and Scholars Bowl competition. Dwight was honored as Kansas Middle School Athletic Director of the Year in 2003. Under his leadership, new activities such as tennis, Scholars Bowl, and expanded opportunities for women were introduced in his schools.
After retiring from education, he worked for TECH as a service coordinator for individuals with disabilities. Dwight continues supporting student-athletes by scoring wrestling, basketball, and state volleyball tournaments. He also volunteered in his wife’s first-grade classroom and remains active at church, teaching RCIA and participating in the Knights of Columbus and Cursillo.