The Distinguished Alumni ceremony serves as more than just a celebration of past achievements—it stands as a meaningful moment of connection between current and former students. By highlighting the accomplishments of those who once walked the same halls, the event reminds current students that success can grow from the very experiences they are living now. This annual tradition honors individuals who have made significant contributions in their career and communities, while also offering inspiration to today’s students. Delivering the call proved a tad more convenient as recipient Ken Levine still makes his home in the E-wing of the school he has always called home.

Cory Beaulieu, cross categorical teacher and former assistant principal, emphasized the importance of the ceremony to students and what it offers them.

“The hope is that students see someone who literally sat in the same place as them and can be inspired by what they too can accomplish in life when they pursue their passion,” he said.

Principal Becky Montour said that the tradition of Distinguished Alumni not only allows students to admire a former West student, but helps them realize their own potential at the same time.

“It’s important for current students to see successful alumni to hopefully realize that they are capable of great things and that people who have been in the same classrooms and seats as them have gone on to do amazing things,” she said.

Over the years award winners have fallen under a wide range of different career paths.

“We’ve had winners from many different areas, including the military, journalism, science and medical research, professional wrestling, education, and many, many more,” Beaulieu said.

Among this year’s nominees, Kenneth Levine, math teacher and former coach at West, stood out as someone whose professional success, dedication to education and athletics, and strong character makes him a powerful example of what it means to lead with integrity and purpose. According to Montour, Levine fully embodies these traits.

“He is a successful teacher who has positively impacted the lives of thousands of students over the course of his career. He has made significant contributions to the athletic community at OWHS and in the community,” she said. “To me, Mr. Levine stands out for the last two pieces of the rubric: his character is second to none and he lives his life with integrity.”

Beaulieu felt that Levine earned this award through his unmatched dedication to West.

“Mr. Levine has dedicated his entire life to this school, his career, and his community,” he said. “He is not only a phenomenal educator who is loved by his students, but he gives back to the school community through his time in many other ways, and he has been doing so consistently for 30-40 years.”

Senior Max Bowden, as a member of the distinguished alumni committee, introduced Levine at the ceremony by highlighting his connections to the school that run back to his youth.

“As a student at West, he participated in football, basketball, baseball, and student council, as well as intramurals. He earned first team all conference honors in football and was voted team co-captain. He was inducted into the O’Neil National Honors Society and is president of the varsity club, graduating with highest honors,” he said. “His involvement allowed him to become close with many teachers and coaches, learning the values that make him who he is today.”

Bowden continued that Levine returned to West after college and has since been very involved in the school’s community and culture.

“In the fall of 1990, he became a math teacher here at West, where he immediately became involved in coaching baseball, track and football. He became the winningest coach in our school's history, all while remaining dedicated to his work in the classroom,” he said. “In 2001, he became a certified strength and conditioning specialist, helping to found the CATS program to build the character and athleticism of our high school and middle school athletes.”

Levine had mixed feelings at the ceremony.

“I am honored to be receiving this award, but I also feel kind of embarrassed by it because I do think it’s a big honor,” he said.

Levine then stated how he had to start stepping away from the many roles that he held at West due to upcoming retirement.

“Coming into this year, I knew that this might be my last year, and this has been like a second home to me for a long time,” he said. “I knew I had to wean myself out of this place a little bit, so I didn’t coach football this year, which was hard.”

Levine wholly attributes his success to his close friends and family.

“I wouldn’t be here without the help and support of so many people, and it’s impossible for me to go through and thank every single one of them,” he said. “I justified getting this award by using it as a chance to thank those people that have helped me.”

Early in life, Levine adopted a mindset of hard work and dedication through sports, specifically through a lesson from former West boys’ basketball coach and namesake of the track and field, Bob Meronk.

“Shooters have slumps. Talent isn't always there, but guys that hustle, guys that work hard, they're going to get rebounds, they’re going to get loose balls. And he pointed at me and was like, that should be your pick. And a light bulb went off,” he said. “I was like 11 years old, and I thought, you know, effort, attitude, and pride are really the keys, not so much how talented you are, but how much you put into what you’re doing.”

Despite his accomplishments, Levine remained consistently humble throughout his speech. Beaulieu noted that Levine’s humility is very characteristic.

“Mr. Levine always goes above and beyond, but he never wants recognition or attention for what he does, although he deserves it,” he said.

Beaulieu explained that nominees are chosen partly based on their relatability to students and strides to reach success even when faced with challenges.

“A major benefit is that our winner can usually speak to our current students and explain their path to success, which is inevitably never a straight line,” he said. “Our students can see that all success, no matter what field it may be in, comes with difficulties and moments of failure.”

Levine himself shared how he sacrificed time with family and friends in order to fulfill his responsibilities as a coach and teacher. Though this was no easy task, Levine is confident that this was not time wasted.

“There’s a ton of guilt and gratitude that goes with this. I’ve missed a lot of time with family. That’s been hard, but I think it’s worth it,” he said. “My mom and dad were there from the very beginning, coming to our games, laughing at us. And Alyssa, my daughter, you had to grow up with a deadbeat dad. There were plenty of times where I was at practice or correcting tests where I wish I could have been doing things with you, but the stuff we were doing I think was important, and I hope you saw that and learned from that. ”

Beaulieu added that the Distinguished Alumni ceremony gives staff an opportunity to reflect on the impact that they make in the lives of their students in and out of the classroom.

“For staff, it is a good yearly reminder of their impact on students and how important their job truly is,” he said. “All winners are inspired by someone they encountered at school.”

Levine concurred that students don’t always realize how much effort staff and administrators put into meeting students’ needs.

“The guilt is I see teachers and staff members all around the school putting in tons of time and going above and beyond for you kids, so I hope you appreciate them. There’s a lot of people here that deserve awards like this,” he said. “There’s tons of people that coach, they put on musicals and concerts, art shows, they put out our award-winning student newspaper, our yearbook and so many other things that people put time and effort into because they know that you kids are worth it. Hopefully, you remember and take advantage of this for the rest of your lives.”

According to Beaulieu, the core of celebrating Distinguished Alumni is what students take away and bring to the table in the community.

“I think the key thing that students can learn about our community is that there are many opportunities, there are many areas to participate in, and there is much that can come back in return if you get involved in areas of your interest and share your talents with those around you,” he said.

Levine concluded by encouraging West students to take their strengths and run with them towards success.

“If you take that talent and apply your effort, apply your attitude, apply your pride, I’m very sure that some of you are going to get awards like this or even bigger awards,” he said. “And I hope that I'm still around and you invite me back and I can watch you up here being very uneasy and giving a speech like this. So thank you very much.”

by Jazbia Farooq and Phoebe Fletcher

Published April 27, 2026

Oshkosh West Index Volume 122 Issue VII

Levine honored for life of service to West as student, teacher, and coach