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Many graduates of Taylors Falls have made their marks in their local communities, and now there will be a very visible reminder of their accomplishments on a wall in their old school.

Taylors Falls alumni have been getting together for all-school reunions every year, reminiscing about what the school was like when it was a K-12 school and they were counted amongst its graduates.

Since 1992, the school has been a K-5 school, merged with the Chisago Lakes School District.

Still, the alumni like to take time to visit the school and walk its halls, noting things that have changed and others that remain the same. Several alumni toured the school and stopped and chatted before their alumni gathering last Friday, June 5.

Among them was Duane Olson, TF class of 1958. Olson served as a greeter in the lobby of Taylors Falls Elementary, where he also proudly pointed out a new addition to its bricks - the Taylors Falls Wall of Honor.

About two years ago, Olson and some of his fellow alumni decided to form a foundation, in order to give back to the school that holds so many memories for them.

As they started collecting donations from alumni and other groups, the foundation members also wanted a way to honor alumni who have contributed significantly to their communities and society. The Taylors Falls Wall of Honor was the answer.

Plaques spelling out those five words, along with five plaques listing honorees under different categories now hang on the wall outside the school gymnasium.

Olson said the foundation members chose the first five honorees with difficulty, because there are so many names that could be up there in this first round.

The foundation plans to continue adding five more names every year to the Wall of Honor. This year's honorees include: Outstanding Graduate Award (1915-1992): Rev. Marvin A. Palmquist (1938); Outstanding Citizen Award: Alton E. Berg (1935); Outstanding Staff/Faculty Award: E. Holger Moberg (1943-1980); Extracurricular Award (1915-1952): Dale Westlund (1948); Extracurricular Award (1953-1992): LaVonne Cedergren Johnson (1961).

Olson is especially proud of the success of the alumni foundation since its inception. Nearly $10,000 has been raised so far, and he planned to encourage more alumni to become involved and donate to the foundation at the June 5 banquet at Trollhaugen.

The foundation board recently awarded around $2,000 in grants to Taylors Falls Elementary. The money will be used to fund technology and other classroom needs. Olson knows the grants come at a very needed time.

"The school lost $140,000 in state aid this year, so this is a way to help keep good programs going," Olson said. "Hopefully, the grants will be even greater next year."

Olson expressed his gratitude toward Taylors Falls Elementary Principal Joe Thimm, who has been very cooperative and supportive of the foundation and alumni.

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