Hillcrest pride runs deep — once a Panther, always a Panther. Every fall, the Hillcrest High School Alumni Association recognizes a handful of noteworthy classmates who are nominated by their peers during a fundraising event to support the school.

“We get quite a number of nominees,” says Betsy Nelson, a member of the class of 1968 who is active in the association.

Set for Oct. 18, the fundraiser will take place at the Prestonwood Country Club and include a cocktail hour (with a cash bar), followed by dinner and the induction of eight Hillcrest graduates who have led interesting lives and given back to their communities. The Distinguished Alumni class began in 2013 during the school’s 75th anniversary, with new classmates added every year.

“We have a vast array of alumni from all walks of life,” Nelson says. “Each person needs a letter of recommendation that’s seconded by at least two other people.”

  • George Tobolowsky, class of 1967, earned a law degree and built a successful practice, but his creative side wasn’t fulfilled. Ten years ago, he switched to making large-form abstract sculptures, which led to 26 solo exhibitions all across the globe, in addition to numerous accolades from the art world. He even donated the piece “Surfing the Warehouse” to Hillcrest last fall.
  • John Arnold, class of 1992, had great success at Enron before launching his own multi-billion-dollar energy hedge fund, Centaurus Advisors. In 2010, this member of The Forbes’ 400 list took part in Warren Buffet’s Giving Pledge, promising to donate half his wealth to worthy causes. The Laura and John Arnold Foundation has a number of charitable aims.
  • Stephen Coke, class of 1963, earned his law degree from SMU and distinguished himself in real estate, estate planning and commercial litigation. He is an active community leader serving as president of the North Dallas Chamber of Commerce as well as his work with the Dallas Arboretum, Boy Scouts, Dallas County Hospital District and more.
  • Dr. Thomas Koenig, class of 1955, was a football star in his day who went on to play for SMU. He later found his love of teaching chemistry, working as a professor for the University of Illinois and later the University of Oregon. He was nominated for the honor by three of his former teammates and five former students.
  • Peter Vogel, class of 1965, was an early pioneer at the intersection of law and computers. He set many legal standards in cases of intellectual property information technology and currently works for the Texas-based firm, Gardere. He also served as president of the Dallas Bar Association and helped bring the Texas court system online.
  • Dr. Dudley Weeks, class of 1957, has dedicated his life to bringing peace to conflict-torn nations. He served in the Peace Corps in Borneo and has consulted on peace talks in more than 100 countries. He is also the author of “Life in the Quality Lane.”
  • Kelly Franklin McCann, Sr., class of 1945, attended the school when it was still called Vickery Hillcrest, where he excelled at football and earned a scholarship to play for Baylor. He eventually joined the family battery business, but his strong faith inspired him to become the life deacon at Parks Cities Baptist Church.

This year’s Distinguished Service Award goes to Nelson herself, who has long planned reunions and other alumni-focused events for the school. Nelson, a 1968 graduate, spent decades working as a teacher before dedicating most of her time to charitable causes ranging from the Junior League of Dallas to the Hillcrest High School Community Foundation.

“I was so touched,” she says. “I have a boyfriend I hadn’t seen since 1968 who nominated me.”

The Oct. 18 event is open to all. Tickets cost $65, and help the alumni association provide scholarships for promising graduating seniors each year. To buy tickets or learn more, contact HHSAA@hillcrestalums.org.