Central Public Schools - Education Is Central

Here are some more Raiders who are excited to be back in school! We have had some great photos shared with us so far. Keep them coming!

Let’s introduce another honoree joining the Central Hall of Fame this year at the 2nd Annual Raider Rally and Hall of Fame Induction on October 4, 2025, at the Hamburg Community Hall.

Jack Noennig was raised in Hamburg where his father was the principal and a teacher at Emmanuel Lutheran School and his mother was a church organist and piano teacher. He would later follow both of his parent’s paths with education (his vocation) and music (his avocation).

He started piano lessons at age 5 and convinced his mother to let him study violin. Jack traveled by bus to McPhail for lessons since there were no string teachers in the area and went on to perform with “The Golden Strings” six nights a week at the Radisson Hotel in Minneapolis as an adult.

After graduating from Central High School as part of the class of 1959, he earned a degree from Concordia and a doctorate from the U of M. He had a long and impactful career in education, starting the string program in Minnetonka where he taught elementary grades and served as assistant principal. He was also principal at Central Elementary from 1972-1979 was known to encourage staff to think out of the box and to take curriculum beyond the textbook and help children apply it.

Bongards On Wheels (BOW) was developed for grades 5 and 6 and was an initiative where students and staff took a one week field trip to Northern MN and lived and applied the curriculum with lessons taught during travel time. Planning stages for a new elementary school began under his leadership. He helped form a committee to explore earth sheltered schools in response to the energy crisis of the 1970s. He served as superintendent in different Minnesota school districts throughout his career.

Family has always been important to Jack. When he was growing up at home, the Noennig Family Orchestra consisted of his mom on piano, dad on violin, brother on cello, sister on flute and Jack on violin. Music continues to bond his family. In 2005 the Noennig Family Orchestra, consisting of Jack on violin, son Joel on string bass, daughter Joy on violin, and daughters Cathie and Melissa playing keyboard and piano, played for the 150th anniversary of Glencoe. The older grandchildren were invited to join in and his wife Janet was behind the scenes making sure everything ran smoothly. Shortly after that, other musicians from the area joined and the group became known as the community strings, which still plays in smaller community venues.

Congratulations and thanks for your huge impact on the community Jack!

Get your tickets to Raider Rally now: https://108raiderrally.com/

The Central Booster Club is excited to host the 2nd Annual Raider Rally and Hall of Fame Induction on October 4, 2025, at the Hamburg Community Hall.

As we look ahead to this fun event, we also want to highlight the folks who will be joining the Central Hall of Fame!

Our first 2025 honoree is a member of the class of 1984 who took his passion for music and photography to some rocking places. Rob Shanahan played drums in percussion from grades 5-12 in programs including marching band, concert band, jazz band, drum line, and swing choir. He also lettered in football, was homecoming royalty, and received the John Phillips Sousa Award his senior year.

After high school, he attended Mankato State University until he left his senior year and moved to Los Angeles with his brother, living in a van purchased from teacher Ross Mason.

"After moving to Los Angeles, it took a few years to get traction, then I started as a contract photographer for the NFL, Major League Baseball, the Los Angeles Clippers, and the LA Kings, eventually finding my way in the music industry and becoming the 'Photographer to the Rock Stars' (Google’s words, not mine)," said Rob. " I’ve had the honor of working with & photographing almost every major music star of the past 30 years, and it all started with Mr. Schroer and the Central Music Program!"

Rob has published two photography book with forewords by Ringo Starr and Sheila E. respectively, and an epilogue by Keith Richards in his second book. He has also been drumming for The Hollywood Stones for 31 years, serves as a Corporate Keynote Speaker, travels the world and is a self described health & fitness junkie and proud girl dad. He and his wife of 29 years, Hillary, have a 26-year-old daughter, Chloe.

Congratulations Rob!

Get your tickets to Raider Rally now: https://108raiderrally.com/