Don Hall, CHS Class of 1942

HOF 2007 – Fine Arts

Hall originated and edited SD’s first newspaper supplements devoted to arts and entertainment in The Roundup, The Comet and the Aberdeen American News (Out and About).  He co-founded the Aberdeen Community Theatre, founded the Aberdeen Film Society, wrote the centennial pageants for Aberdeen and Faulkton.  He reviewed all levels of plays, musicals, pageants, concerts, art galleries in Aberdeen and around the region.

Achievements and Awards at CHS
Federated Jewelers Award ’42 (my first wrist watch)
CHS Insignia for Forensics: Declamation and Debate
CHS Insignia for Dramatics/Stagecraft
Word Craft Award in Creative Writing (editor of 1941 issue)
Quill and Scroll for Journalism (Blue and Gold, KABR)
Winner of the S.D. V.F.W. Patriotic Essay Contest (’42)
S.D. Boys State Certificate in 1941: Elected Lt. Governor, selected best Citizen.
Keystone Honor Society (two years)
CHS School Insignia for Social Service, 2; Leadership; “A” Honor Roll
School Certificate for Perfect Record of Attendance (not late, not tardy)
Honorary Lifetime Member, International Thepian Society, CHS troupe #1246, bestowed by Thomas Kelly in 1976

Unique Contributions to CHS:
1975-Present: DH Drama Award to “Most Promising CHS Sophomore (actors, crew members, conceived with Thomas F. Kelly
Presented 3-5 minute CHS news on KABR’s local noon broadcast for two years (’40-’41; ’41-’42)
Introduced “Eaglean Follies ’42 audience to first feminine co-emcee (Stacy Meyers Brown), setting a precedent that lasted as long as the Follies did.
Other achievements and awards (received elsewhere than CHS)
Medals and ribbons from the US Army – WWII.
44th Honorary Member of the Masquers, “for distinguished service and commitment to the theatre at NSU.
Three awards from the Aberdeen Area Arts Council
Three awards (“10-year Techie, Lifetime Achievement and D.H.H. Scholarship Endowment) from the Aberdeen Community Theatre (ACT).

Other accomplishments:
Originated and edited S.D.’s first newspaper supplements devoted to arts and entertainment; “Where and When,” The Roundup; “Up and Coming”, The Comet” “Out and About”, Aberdeen American News.
Co Founded the Aberdeen Community Theatre.
Founded the Aberdeen Film Society
Wrote the centennial pageants: “10 by 10 for Aberdeen, “50/50” for Faulkton
Reviewed plays, musicals, pageants, concerts, art galleries, all levels (school, college, community, professional) in Aberdeen, Britton-to-Faulkton, Webster-to-Mobridge