Graduate Kenneth Stribling, from the class of 1970, has been named Hamilton High School’s 2025 Distinguished Alumnus Award recipient. Nominations for this award are solicited from the community and voted on by Hamilton High School faculty. The recognition serves as a historical account of the excellence nurtured at Hamilton High School.
While a student at Hamilton High School (HHS), Mr. Stribling was an incredibly involved athlete who participated in football, basketball, baseball, wrestling and track. He was a part of the Lettermen’s Club during both his junior and senior years. Mr. Stribling was a member of the choir during his sophomore, junior and senior years. During his freshman year, he also took part in band and the school play.
“My high school years were probably some of my most memorable,” reflects Mr. Stribling, who says when he occasionally travels through the Sussex area it brings a smile to his face. “Receiving this award is an honor for not only me, but also my parents who always endured,” he adds. “I feel honored to know I can carry on the Hamilton legacy. I will never forget my roots and I still identify as a Hamilton alum,” he adds.
After working at a Milwaukee trucking company for more than 30 years, Mr. Stribling became involved with organizing first locally, then nationally, to protect retirees’ pension funds. His wife Beverly was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer around this same time. “She made me promise that I would not quit until congress arrived at a solution,” he explains. In 2018, Mr. Stribling was invited to testify before a Senate Committee. This eventually provided him the opportunity to travel the country and spend time in our nation’s capital working alongside some of the country’s most influential politicians from both sides of the aisle. Mr. Stribling’s wife lost her battle with cancer in 2019 but always remained a driving inspiration behind his efforts to protect pension funds. Mr. Stribling was named president of the National United Committee to Protect Pensions in 2020. In August of 2024, he found himself again in the national spotlight following his speech at the Democratic National Committee in Chicago.
“I have been a very, very fortunate person to have been involved in the things I’ve been involved with and the unbelievable opportunities that came along with this,” Mr. Stribling shares, noting it has been an honor and a privilege to be part of such important work. “None of this would have been possible without my nurturing parents and the supportive Hamilton School District community,” he adds. “I was taught to stand up for what I believe in from a very young age and have carried that with me my entire life.”
When he reflects on his high school days, he says he remembers bell-bottoms and lifelong friendships. Mr. Stribling often attends the HHS reunion held in Sussex every summer. He now has grandchildren beginning their own high school careers and among the advice he shares with them is to treat people the way you want to be treated, with respect and dignity.
“You never know what path life is going to take you on, so be prepared,” shares Mr. Stribling. “Don’t get too far over your skis,” he cautions.
A Hamilton Distinguished Alumnus Award recipient is selected every year from community submissions. This tradition dates back to 1989. A submission form can be found on the school district website.