The Clinton Community School District and the Clinton High School Hall of Honor Committee are proud to announce the 2025 Hall of Honor Class. The inductees are Cy Cave, Romero Davis, Dr. Rachelle Keck, Keith Knutsen, Scott Morehead, and Gabriella Torres.
Chairperson of the Hall of Honor Committee, Dennis Duerling, stated that “the sixth Hall of Honor class continues to show the depth of Clinton High School Alumni who have gone on to make major differences in their careers which impact those around them. Two of the six this year are recognized by their accomplishments in the Arts, one is for his contributions to the Clinton Community School District, the fourth is recognized for his Community Service, the fifth served at the highest levels of military service, and the sixth currently serves as a university president. Each of these inductees have demonstrated the inspiring levels of achievement and serve as distinguished contributors to their respective professions. ”
Inductees:
Cy Cave (CHS Class of 1972) was nominated for Exceptional Contributions to the Clinton Community School District. Mr. Cave worked for the Clinton Community School District (CCSD) on the grounds crew for over 50 years. Cy served with distinction and was a key member of the grounds department’s evolution. Cy experienced the implementation of various technologies and machinery that has made work more efficient, safer, and ultimately improving CCSD facilities and grounds. Because of his position, Cy served and supported, in some way, every single student over his 50 year career with the CCSD.
Romero Davis (CHS Class of 1995) was nominated for his work in Community Service. Mr. Davis has over 2 decades of experience in the social sector and serves as the Director of Child and Family Well-being at Social Current, a national nonprofit partner agency. He specializes in providing transformative training workshops on visioning and planning, social determinants of health, and culturally responsive support for families and communities. A sought-after consultant, trainer, and speaker, Romero blends his professional expertise and lived experience to educate and collaborate with educators, law enforcement, students, national leaders, and family-serving agencies across the United States. Romero has led key initiatives in partnership with the Department of Justice’s Office of Victims of Crime, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention and Bureau of Justice Assistance, advancing equitable solutions for community and family well-being, advocating for wellness, and driving major policy reform across the country. As a qualified administrator of the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI), he works with leaders nationally and internationally to foster cultural competence in organizations and communities. Romero has extensive experience coordinating services for victims and perpetrators of family violence, working closely with law enforcement and community stakeholders to develop strategies that support families impacted by violence and poverty. He also created a leadership development program designed to build lifelong skills and teach core concepts to youth and adults affected by the criminal justice and foster care systems. Previously, Romero served as program director for family violence intervention programs across multiple U.S. counties & states, delivering innovative and compassionate solutions for both victims and offenders which have shaped policies across the United States. His visionary approach continues to empower communities, foster leadership, and promote equitable outcomes nationwide. Romero received his Bachelor of Arts from Capella University, in Sociology and is Dad of four wonderful children, long time coach and proud husband of 19 years.
Dr. Rachelle (Karstens) Keck (CHS Class of 1988) was nominated for her accomplishments in the category of Professional Career Accomplishments. Dr. Keck serves as Grand View University’s 14th and first female president, Dr. Rachelle Keck graduated with a B.A. in Psychology from Wartburg College, after which she earned her Juris Doctorate from the University of Iowa College of Law. One of nine children, she is proud to be a first-generation college student, going on to earn a Ph.D. in Education from Drake University. Dr. Keck began her career as a prosecutor before establishing her own law firm. After two decades practicing law, she pivoted to a career in higher education, leading to philanthropic roles at the University of Iowa Foundation and Indian Hills Community College. Dr. Keck was then hired as the Chief of Staff and University Counsel for Briar Cliff University, and, in 2018, was selected as Briar Cliff’s 11th President. She has served as Grand View’s president since 2022. At the national level, Dr. Keck serves on the Board for the National Association of Independent Colleges, and the Network for ELCA Colleges and Universities. An international speaker and author, Dr. Keck has been invited to speak on a variety of topics, including higher education and the future of work, law, philanthropy, and leadership. She most recently served as the 2024 American Keynote Speaker for Denmark’s annual 4th of July celebration, Rebildfesten.
Keith A. Knutsen (CHS Class of 1986) was nominated for his accomplishments in the category of Distinguished Military Service. Captain Keith A. Knutsen retired from the U.S. Navy in October 2022 after 36 years of distinguished service. His final role was as Commanding Officer of Engineering Assessments Pacific, where he oversaw the engineering training, inspection, and certification of all ships in the Pacific Fleet for five years. Captain Knutsen was appointed to the United States Naval Academy by Senator Charles Grassley, graduating in 1990 with a Bachelor of Science in General Engineering. Captain Knutsen attended the United States Naval War College, earning a Master’s Degree in National Security and Strategic Studies. Captain Knutsen’s sea duty began aboard the USS Fletcher (DD 992) as Auxiliaries Officer, Navigator, and Chief Engineer. He subsequently served on USS Kinkaid (DD 965), USS Port Royal (CG 73), and commanded multiple vessels including USS Pelican (MHC 53) and USS Taylor (FFG 50). His leadership extended to operations enforcing United Nations sanctions in the Persian Gulf, and he deployed to areas of strategic importance including Iraq, the Mediterranean, and the Black Sea, where USS Taylor supported NATO efforts during the 2008 Russo-Georgian conflict. He was later promoted Commodore of the Mine Counter Measures THREE Squadron, responsible for nine Mine Sweepers (MCMs); five in San Diego and four in Bahrain. He also held several significant shore assignments, including time at the Chief of Naval Operations staff in Washington, DC, roles in Basra, Iraq as the U.S. 5th Fleet representative to Multinational Division Southeast and Senior Military Advisor to the United States State Department Regional Embassy Office, and Deputy Director of the Senior Officer Ship Material Readiness Course. His awards include the Legion of Merit (2 awards), Meritorious Service Medal (4 awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (4 awards), and Navy Achievement Medal (2 awards). Captain Knutsen now resides in Jacksonville, Florida.
Scott Morehead (CHS Class of 2000) was nominated for his accomplishments within The Arts. Mr. Morehead is a writer and a stage and television actor. As a member of the “etc.” ensemble at world-renowned The Second City in Chicago, Scott has also performed with The Second City’s Touring Company (Mighty, Mighty!), The Improvised Shakespeare Company (Baby Wants Candy and at iO with The Late 90’s). Scott has co-written and starred on stage in the “etc.” reviews Soul Brother, Where Art Thou? and A Red Line Runs Through It. He portrayed Jack Kellog on the television show, Chicago Med. Some of his other credits include Dropping the Question, Master of Inventions, ¡Viva el Mariachi! and The Origins of Wit and Humor.
Gabriella Torres (CHS Class of 1997) was nominated for her contributions to The Arts. Gabi is a visual artist, creative placemaker, and arts advocate living, painting, and creating in her hometown of Clinton, Iowa. In 2023, the Iowa Arts Council named her as an Iowa Artist Fellow to complement her receiving the Governor’s Arts Awards for Special Recognition as an Emerging Arts Leader in Iowa. Throughout the midwest, Gabi is renowned for her creative placemaking and public art projects that transform underutilized spaces into dynamic community gathering spaces and cultural destinations that help spur economic development and community growth. Originally a poet, teacher, and abstract artist, in 2021, she began developing large scale art projects that helped communities redefine themselves. In 2022, Gabi installed The Grove, an “art forest” that recast a downtown Clinton pocket park into an outdoor art gallery that features a new Iowa artist every summer. In 2023, with her partner Chris Shannon, she created Paint it Back, an annual street art festival that brings national and local artists together to cover an old 8,000 square foot garage in murals. What is now known as the Paint it Back Building has made the Northend a cultural destination, attracting visitors from surrounding areas each year. In 2024, Gabi implemented the massive art project Wildness, in partnership with Clinton County Conservation, that utilized all natural materials to connect residents to their natural landscapes. Her art career has been featured through Living Local on Iowa PBS, Arts Midwest in Minneapolis, the Iowa Arts Summit, the Iowa Arts Council, Iowa DNR, iLEAD Leadership, and the Professional Developers of Iowa. Through her advocacy and tireless work for the arts, the State of Iowa has recognized Clinton as an arts and cultural leader exemplified by Clinton becoming one of the inaugural towns in the state’s Creative Placemaking Accelerator Program. Gabi is still actively creating abstract pieces, and in November 2024, her work was displayed at Bitfactory Gallery in Denver.
The mission of the Clinton High School Alumni Hall of Honor is to recognize those who attended Clinton High School and have distinguished themselves in their careers, communities and personal lives. These individuals are held up to Clinton students as examples of citizenship and success.
The induction of the 2025 Hall of Honor Class will be in conjunction with the Academic Awards ceremony scheduled for April 25, 2025.
