Meet Stephenville High School's 4 new distinguished alumni.
Special to Beneath the Surface News
Stephenville High School has named Ms. Kathy Hampton, Dr. Sam Pack, Dr. Kevin Vanden Berge and Colonel Kenny Weldon as its 2025 Distinguished Alumni.
A reception in their honor will be held at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, March 13, at Stephenville High School.
The community is invited to attend.
In addition to the Distinguished Alumni reception, all four recipients will have the opportunity to speak to current SHS students at the school’s Career Day on Friday, March 14.
Here’s a look at each of the honorees.
Ms. Kathy Hampton, Class of 1988
● SISD-Central Elementary Teacher -1993-2000
● Elementary Principal Meridian/Granbury-2000-2004 Exemplary Campus, and
National Blue Ribbon School
● SISD-Hook Elementary Principal- 2004-2014 Exemplary Campus, Jim Boyd Instructional Leader Award, and HEB Excellence in Education Finalist
● Stephenville ISD Executive Director of HR and Student Services 2014-Present-A Rated District, HEB School District Excellence in Education Finalist, and SISD Core Value for Excellence
● Leadership role in church, community programs, and Erath County United Way
● Proud mother of Austin Landes (Class of 2014) and Blair Landes (Class of 2017)
Dr. Sam Pack, Class of 1956
● Ford Motor Company
● Hall of Fame (2016)
● Lifetime Achievement Award (2024)
● Texas Automobile Dealers Association
● “Legend” Award (2005)
● U.S. House of Representatives
● Congressional Patriot Award (2024)
● Brookhaven College-Dallas College
● Inaugural “Pillar of the Community” Award (2018)
● Tarleton State University
● Legacy Award (2023)
● Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters (2023)
● Naming of the Dr. Sam Pack College of Business (2024)
Dr. Kevin Vanden Berge, Class of 1997
● Graduate of Tarleton State University, Magna Cum Laude, Outstanding Graduate for
College of Chemistry, B.S. in Biology and Chemistry
● Member of the TSU band, John Tarleton Spirit Award, Mr. TSU
● Doctor of Medicine from Texas Tech University and UTSW Orthopaedic residency
● Orthopaedic surgeon at VB Orthopaedics and Chief of Surgery at Texas Health
Stephenville
● Loving husband and father of three sons
Colonel Kenny Weldon, Class of 1981
● Graduate, U. S. Air Force Academy, Class of 1985
● Colonel, U.S. Air Force (Retired), 1985-2011
● Mayor, City of Stephenville, 2012-2018
● Dean, Leadership & Military College and Commandant of Cadets, Tarleton State University
● Director, Brazos River Authority
