Westonka Athletic, Fine Arts Halls of Fame Welcome 2026 Inductees

The Westonka High School Athletic Hall of Fame and Fine Arts Hall of Fame officially inducted the Class of 2026 on Oct. 2 at a morning ceremony at the Westonka Performing Arts Center. Athletic awards were presented to Dick Halvarson – Teacher/Coach; Taylor Kuehl – Class of 2011; Jake Saatzer – Class of 2007; and Fritz Soule – Class of 1944/Teacher/Coach/Activities Director. This year's fine arts awards went to Tiffany Winter Beitler – Class of 2002 Artist/Performer; Donald and Janis Gulbrandson – Directors/Teachers/Advisors; and Christopher Morrissey – Class of 1999 Artist/Performer.

The induction ceremony was held during Homecoming Week in conjunction with the annual Homecoming Alumni Breakfast at WHS. Westonka Activities Director Jeff Peterson highlighted the accomplishments of each member in front of a crowd of alumni, family members, and staff.

"Our Hall of Fame inductees embody the tradition, passion, and pursuit of excellence that define our Westonka Community," said Peterson. "Their contributions extend far beyond the field, classroom, court, or stage, leaving a lasting impact on our school and community. We are incredibly proud to celebrate their enduring legacy."

Athletic Hall of Fame Inductees

Dick Halvarson – Teacher/Coach

• Dick “Pops” Halvarson dedicated 35 years to Westonka Public Schools, leaving an enduring legacy as an educator, coach, mentor, and lifelong supporter of White Hawks athletics.
• Halvarson taught physical education for 20 years and science for 15 years while coaching football for 35 seasons and hockey for 30 seasons. Whether leading athletes on the field, coaching on the ice, or spending countless hours flooding outdoor rinks so young players could practice, his commitment to students extended far beyond the classroom.
• Following retirement, he continued substitute teaching into his 70s, announced wrestling and basketball events, and remained a familiar face at White Hawks competitions. Above all, Dick cherished the relationships he built with students, athletes, coaches, colleagues, and families, inspiring generations through his dedication, character, and unwavering support of Westonka athletics.

Taylor Kuehl – Class of 2011

• Taylor Kuehl is one of the most accomplished multisport athletes in Westonka history, earning 13 varsity letters across soccer, tennis, golf, and hockey. She was a captain in three sports, earned All-Conference recognition in hockey all five varsity seasons, and received All-State honors four times, including three First Team selections.
• During her senior season, Kuehl led the Metro in scoring with 102 points and finished as the runner-up for Minnesota Ms. Hockey. She also earned All-Conference recognition in soccer and golf, serving as captain in both programs.
• Her athletic success and leadership earned her a full D1 hockey scholarship to Ohio State University. At Ohio State, Kuehl played on the Buckeyes' top lines throughout her career, finishing among the program's top 10 forwards in six statistical categories. She was awarded the prestigious Big Ten Medal of Honor before beginning a successful professional career working for the Columbus Blue Jackets and later Google.

Jake Saatzer – Class of 2007

• Jake Saatzer built one of the most decorated wrestling careers in Westonka history. A five-time state tournament qualifier, three-time state place winner, and 2007 Class AA 140-pound state champion, he earned six All-Conference honors and finished his career with 211 victories, a school record for many years that now ranks second all-time.
• A senior captain and respected leader, Saatzer helped build one of Westonka’s largest wrestling classes through his work ethic and dedication, contributing to four conference championships and two section runner-up finishes. He also excelled as a starting defensive back for the White Hawks football team.
• Saatzer continued his wrestling career at Augsburg University, where he was a member of two NCAA Division III National Championship teams. Today, he continues to give back to the sport through No Nonsense Wrestling and by mentoring wrestlers in the Westonka youth and high school programs, leaving a lasting impact on generations of White Hawks.

Fritz Soule – Class of 1944/Teacher/Coach/Activities Director

• Few individuals have shaped Westonka athletics as profoundly as Frederick “Fritz” Soule. A four-time Minnesota State Wrestling Tournament place winner from 1941-44, Soule finished third twice and runner-up twice before graduating from Mound High School in 1944. He was inducted into the Minnesota Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1980 and the Westonka Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2012.
• After serving in World War II and earning his teaching degree from St. Cloud State, Soule returned to Mound in 1956 to begin a 30-year career as a teacher, coach, and athletic director. He helped establish youth sports opportunities throughout the community, coached championship baseball teams, and served as a statewide advocate for high school athletics. As AD from 1970-86, he also announced countless athletic events.
• Above all, Soule is remembered for his unwavering love of young people. Whether teaching, mentoring athletes, or quietly providing equipment to those in need, he dedicated his life to helping every child succeed.

Fine Arts Hall of Fame Inductees

Tiffany Winter Beitler – Class of 2002 Artist/Performer

• A gifted musician, performer and visual artist, Tiffany Winter Beitler demonstrated a remarkable creative range during her years at Westonka. She participated in prestigious honor choirs, Concert Choir, MaddJazz and Pop Singers, performed in musical theatre productions and received the Kris Miller Outstanding Musician Award as a senior.
• Beitler carried that creative foundation into a successful career in marketing and design. In 2015, she founded her own marketing agency, now Plaid Moose Creative, where she leads a growing team providing marketing strategy and creative services. That same year, she wrote, designed and self-published Lake Minnetonka Eats, which earned a 2016 Independent Publisher Book Award for Midwest Regional Non-Fiction.
• Her creative talents have also made a lasting impact throughout the Westonka community. Beitler has contributed branding, design and marketing expertise to numerous local nonprofit and community initiatives and is a co-founder of the Eli Hart Foundation, helping bring its community playground project to life. Through her work as an entrepreneur, author, designer and community leader, Beitler has built a career that reflects the creativity, versatility and commitment to others that distinguished her as a student at Westonka.

Donald and Janis Gulbrandson – Directors/Teachers/Advisors

• For three decades, Donald and Janis Gulbrandson - affectionately known to generations of students as Mr. and Mrs. G - were the heart of Westonka theatre.
• From 1957 to 1987, Mr. G directed more than 30 major plays and musicals and 25 one-act productions while teaching English and speech and advising student theatre activities. His productions ranged from “Our Town” and “Arsenic and Old Lace” to “Oklahoma!”, “The Music Man” and “Guys and Dolls.” Through theatre, he challenged students to take creative risks, discover their talents and develop confidence that extended far beyond the stage.
• Mrs. G was his creative partner throughout those three decades, volunteering countless hours as a costume designer, costumer and assistant director. Working with ingenuity and artistry, she designed and constructed costumes that brought characters and productions to life while providing encouragement and guidance to generations of student performers.
• Together, Mr. and Mrs. G created far more than memorable productions. They built a vibrant theatre community in which students found their voices, developed their creativity and discovered a lifelong appreciation for the performing arts. Their extraordinary dedication and influence helped establish a tradition of theatre excellence at Westonka that continues today.

Christopher Morrissey – Class of 1999 Artist/Performer

• An artistic, insightful, creative and thoughtful student, Chris Morrissey helped transform the theatre program and music scene at Westonka. What began with a bass and a natural talent for music grew into an extraordinary career as a songwriter, bassist, singer, composer, bandleader and music director.
• Based in Brooklyn, Morrissey has released seven records as a composer and bandleader and has toured five continents alongside acclaimed artists including Norah Jones, Sara Bareilles, Andrew Bird, Chris Thile, Boy George and many others. As a music director, he has assembled bands and created arrangements for artists including Sara Bareilles, Sharon Van Etten, Maren Morris and Elle King. Morrissey has been featured in Bass Player Magazine, received commissions from The Jazz Gallery and The Jazz Coalition, and serves on the adjunct faculty of The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music. 
• From his beginnings as a young musician at Westonka to stages around the world, Morrissey exemplifies the creativity, dedication and artistic excellence celebrated by the Westonka Fine Arts Hall of Fame.

To nominate a standout alumnus or coach for the Athletic HOF, please fill out the Athletic Hall of Fame Nomination Form. Nominations for the Fine Arts HOF can be submitted via the Fine Arts Hall of Fame Nomination Form. Paper forms are also available at the WHS Activities Office.