2021 Hall of Fame Inductees
Jack "Keith" Frazier, Class of 1966,
An eight-time letter winner as a Colt in wrestling, football, and track, Frazier was a force to be reckoned with at South. Upon graduation, he attended the University of Southern Colorado, where he earned both his BA and MA. Keith taught and coached countless kids throughout his 30 years as a PE teacher at Jefferson and Heritage Elementary Schools, retiring in 2000. During summer break, he began working with the city's gymnastic program, where he was first introduced to coaching the sport. Keith built a gymnastic program that benefited many throughout the years and gave Pueblo a reputation as a powerhouse in gymnastics. Keith's love for gymnastics has elevated the entire sport. While coaching, he designed the spring floor (using tennis balls) for floor exercise in gymnastics. He never copyrighted this idea and freely shared it, where it was used in gymnastic programs worldwide. He went on to coach at the high school and collegiate level and opened his own gymnastics club. In 1978, his team brought home Pueblo's first girls' state championship in any sport, winning girls gymnastics. Keith's teams have achieved numerous division, league, state, and national accolades throughout his tenure, making him one of the most decorated gymnastic coaches in Pueblo history. As a teacher and coach, he challenged his students to strive to work as a team to be better, work harder, and reach higher. Keith is an active volunteer with Habitat for Humanity and a proud member of the American Legion Patriot Guard, where he is part of the ritual team that provides services for fallen soldiers.
Kerry Ballotti Nutter, Class of 1981,
made South history by being part of the team to bring South its first State title in basketball in 1979. Kerry went to CSU-Fort Collins after her high school graduation, graduating in 1985 with a BS in Construction Management. Upon graduating, Kerry worked for Bechtel Construction Company, moving across the country for assignments on complex, multibillion-dollar construction projects. She has held key positions in some of the nation’s most significant construction projects, including nuclear power plants and Boston’s Big Dig. While working on the Big Dig, she earned her MBA from Simmons College, graduating with honors. Kerry’s career had many highlights at Bechtel, including becoming a registered broker for the SEC and serving as the Chief of Staff to the President of Bechtel Civil. Following a successful career at Bechtel, she started her own Program Management consulting business, which she has managed for the past eleven years. Throughout her career, Kerry has focused on making the world a better place by mentoring young professionals, assisting disadvantaged individuals, and helping those in need. She has generously supported many nonprofits with both her time and financially, including SOS Children’s Village, ACE Chicago Mentorship Program, The Legacy Guild, St. Jude’s, and many more. Kerry continues to be an inspiration for many and is a strong advocate for women in athletics and the construction industry.
Dr. Keith Owen, Class 0f 1988,
Dr. Keith Owen has profoundly shaped public education at both the State and National levels. Upon graduation from South, Keith attended Colorado State University in Fort Collins, graduating in 1993 with a BS in Psychology as well as completing the Elementary Education Licensure Program. Upon graduation, Keith returned to Pueblo, where he taught second grade at then South feeder school Carlile Elementary. While at Carlisle, Keith worked to obtain his Master’s degree, earning his MA in Educational Leadership as well as completing the Principal Licensure Program in 1998. Upon receiving his Master’s degree, Keith began his first foray into school administration by becoming the assistant principal at John Mall High School in Walsenburg. As an administrator, he quickly learned how issues with reading in Elementary school impacted students’ success while in high school. In 1999, he became the Principal of South feeder School Beulah Heights. Taking what he learned at John Mall High School, he made reading a key focus by onboarding the Lindamood Bell Program. He ensured all teachers were fully trained in the program and taught classes every day. During his five years at Beulah Heights, the school’s performance improved to the point that President George W. Bush recognized it as one of the nation’s top-performing Title I schools. In 2004, Owen earned his Ph.D. in Educational Administration as well as completed the Superintendent Licensure Program from the University of Denver. From 2004-2008, Keith served as Assistant Superintendent of Pueblo City Schools. In 2008, Keith became Superintendent of Schools at Durango District 9-R. In 2011, Keith supported public education at the state and national levels by becoming the Deputy Commissioner of Education for the Colorado Department of Education. In this role, he oversaw the state’s special education programs, federal programs, support for local school districts, and all accountability systems. In 2015, Keith started his current position as the Superintendent for the Fountain-Fort Carson District, where he oversees 20,000 employees and students. As a Superintendent, he has provided leadership for the development and implementation of the strategic plan. He also provided disciplined leadership when the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020, helping ensure his students and staff were supported. Keith’s leadership during the pandemic, coupled with his student-first approach, earned him the honor of becoming the 2021 Colorado Superintendent of the Year.
Laura Schwartzenberger, Class of 1996,
At South, Schwartzenberger was an athletic star, becoming a state qualifier in swimming as well as competing in golf and diving. Laura was a member of the National Honor Society and was crowned Winter Sports Queen. After graduating, she studied Criminology at Northeastern University near Boston and then earned her master’s degree in International Studies from the University of Denver. In 2005, Laura achieved her career goal by becoming an FBI agent. After graduating from Quantico, she landed in Albuquerque. In 2007, she applied and became the first-ever—and still the only ever—female FBI SWAT team member in Albuquerque. In 2010, she was reassigned to Miami, Florida. During her time in Miami, she was a member of the evidence response team and underwater search and recovery team, where she completed 17 underwater forensic searches. She used her diving skills to help others, including helping rescue victims after the 2018 earthquake in Haiti. Later in her career, she transferred to the Violent Crimes and Fugitive Task Force, eventually finding her calling in what she called her dream job—Violent Crimes Against Children Task Force. As a loving mother, Laura had tremendous passion and enthusiasm for her work and was determined to make a difference in the lives of children. She would regularly educate students about cyber safety as well as help fight crimes against children. Laura was among the first responders following the Parkland school shooting in February 2018. Her hard work did not go unrecognized; she received the LEO Award for Federal Agent of the Year in 2016 and received the Outstanding Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award in both 2016 and 2019. On February 2nd, 2021, Laura made the ultimate sacrifice while executing a federal court-ordered search warrant in a crimes against children investigation in Sunrise, Florida. She died protecting children and helping make the world a safer place. She leaves behind a husband and two sons.
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Scott Bridgman, Class of 1976,
A four-sport athlete, Bridgman graduated from South High School, where he was involved in many clubs and served as the Student Body President. Upon graduation, Bridgman was appointed to the United States Military Academy at West Point. He returned to Pueblo to graduate with honors from the University of Southern Colorado with a BS in Business in 1980 and earned his MA in Management from Webster University in 1991. Scott has been a lifetime southwest Pueblo resident and has served in leadership positions with some of Pueblo’s most prominent employers through the years. At CF&I Steel, Bridgman held various management positions, ending as the General Foreman of the Casters-Steel Production. At Sealy Components Group, Bridgman oversaw the entire operation as a Plant Manager. Scott brought his management talent to The Trane Company, where he held various leadership positions, including the Manufacturing & Operations Manager, HR Manager, and the Manager of Order Fulfillment. He rounded out his career as a Project Manager focused on Oracle implementation across various plants in the United States and Mexico, where he retired in 2018. Bridgman is known for elevating and supporting the Pueblo community. He has served as a past board member of the Interfaith Hospitality Network and the South High School Alumni Foundation. Although it is on hold due to the COVID pandemic, Bridgman has been instrumental in bringing a blood donation center back to Pueblo and has worked with the Board of Parkview and Vitalant Blood Centers to make this become a reality. He has also promoted Pueblo by being a Content Coordinator/Writer for “Southwest Pueblo Neighbors” magazine, where he highlights the profiles of many southwest Pueblo families, including many South graduates and students.
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Joe Bassetti (Teacher),
Joe Bassetti was a decorated veteran as well as a charter staff member of South High School. Before teaching at South, Bassetti served in the U.S. Army Infantry during the Korean War from 1951-1953. Upon leaving the U.S. Army, Mr. Bassetti started his career at Corwin Junior High School before coming to South in 1959. Throughout his 30 year career as an educator, he inspired countless students in the art of woodworking, welding, and industrial arts. He was known to help with any project needed at South, from building stages for assemblies to constructing sets for proms. Mr. Bassetti made history at South by creating, in cooperation with the welding program, the first crowns for REMUDA. These crowns graced REMUDA royalty for at least 35 years. Family was everything to Bassetti, and he loved to use his talents in the vocations to make many things for them and people in the community, including clocks, signs, and jewelry. Joe was a member of Holy Family Parish, South High Alumni, Fraternal Order of Eagles #145, Musicians Union, and Rockhounds. He passed away in 2021.