Springfield Public Schools will honor two outstanding graduates by inducting them into the 2024 Hall of Fame on Friday, Oct. 4. Each year, SPS chooses alumni who have achieved success in their profession, contributed to their community or distinguished themselves in ways that make them inspirational examples for current SPS students.
The Class of 2024 SPS Hall of Fame inductees are Billy Gene Cooper, community volunteer and mentor; and L. Denise Fredrick, community leader and retired educator. They have each dedicated their lives to supporting and elevating others, in their professions and volunteer work.
Cooper, a 1968 graduate of Central High School, was employed for 28 years as a workforce development specialist, guiding others in their journey to success, ultimately earning the honor of Missouri’s Workforce Development Professional of the Year. Overcoming many challenges and barriers in his own life, Cooper is dedicated to helping others realize their full potential.
His lengthy volunteer roles include coaching youth sports for 40 years through the Boys and Girls Clubs and serving for 31 years at Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts.
Fredrick, a 1972 graduate of Hillcrest High School, started her career as an educator at Kickapoo High School where she shared her love of science with students.
She distinguished herself as an outstanding educator and received multiple honors including SPS Teacher of the Year, National Milken Educator award, Missouri State University Outstanding Young Alumni and Science Teachers of Missouri Presidential Citation.
In addition to her extensive career as a teacher and administrator at SPS, Fredrick served on the Board of Education for 12 years, including seven years as president or vice president. She played a key role in the success of two bond proposals that resulted in an investment of $330 million to improve schools districtwide.
The SPS Hall of Fame is made possible by the following generous sponsors: Foundation for Springfield Public Schools, 417 Magazine, Mattax Neu Prater Eye Center, Ozarks Coca-Cola Dr. Pepper Bottling Company, ADsmith Marketing & Advertising and KY3.
