The Tracy Area Public Schools’ Wall of Fame grew by two members at last Thursday’s 2025 TAPS American Educaton Banquet as Dr. Paul Schons (Class of 1958) and AnnMarie Mickelson (Class of 1985) were inducted.
The Wall of Fame was started in 1995, and since that time, now 67 Tracy Area High School graduates have been inducted because of their life’s work, community services and their success.
Tracy Area Public Schools Supt. Chad Anderson said the Wall of Fame shows students what they can be and that the possibilities for lifelong success are limitless when you start your journey in Tracy.
“Some of the things people have been doing are remarkable,” said Anderson. “We have an amazing school, wonderful teachers, staff members, paras and administration.”
Dr. Paul Schons
From 1956-1962, Schons attend the College of St. Thomas in St. Paul, where he graduated with a B.A. Degree in German, with concentrations in Latin, music and secondary education. While at St. Thomas, Schons was active in the Education Club, Concert Band and other work on campus.
Schons taught high school German, Latin and geography from 1962-1965, and also directed choir and band. In 1964, he was accepted into the NDEA Institute at the University of Colorado in Boulder and earned an M.A. Degree in German. He was hired by the College of St. Thomas in 1967 and taught there for 45 years.
PAUL SCHONS SPEAKS ABOUT HIS FATHER — the late Dr. Paul Schons, TAHS Class of 1958, who was inducted into the school’s Wall of Fame at last week’s banquet. Photo / Per Peterson
Becky Averill and Judy Bergs attended the education banquet on behalf of Wall of Fame inductee AnnMarie Mickelson. They are pictured with TAPS Supt. Chad Anderson. Photo / Per Peterson
He was also enrolled at the University of Minnesota and earned a degree in German in 1974 and founded the Study Abroad Program at St. Thomas and was given the title of Foreign Studies Coordinator. He was chair of the German Department at St. Thomas for 15 years. After his death, the language lab at St. Thomas was named after him.
“When thinking about what to tell you about my dad, I could go over all the papers, books and speeches — all the things he has written — but I’d much rather tell you about who he was as person,” Schons’ son, Paul, said. “He had an incredible passion for his faith, his family and, of course, teaching. He gave 100% to his students.”
Schons added that teaching wasn’t just a job for his father, it was a way for him to not just educate the students, but to help them live their best life.
“I can’t tell you the number of students he went above and beyond for,” he said. “Many have come up to me and have told me how much he meant to them.”
AnnMarie (Mickelson) Killian After graduating from TAHS in 1985, Killian pursued a bachelor’s degree in business administration and communication from St. Cloud State University, followed by her Executive MBA from the University of St. Thomas. Today, she serves as president and CEO of TDI for Access, an organization dedicated to ensuring that information and communication technology is accessible to everyone.
Killian’s leadership is geared toward creating a more inclusive world by strengthening accessibility for older adults, military veterans and individuals with disabilities who might face barriers to communication and technology. Killian serves as vice-chair of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Consumer Advocacy Network and is a member of the Coalition of Organization for Accessible Technology.
Killian was unable to attend last week’s banquet; her sisters Becky Averill and Judy Bergs accepted the honor on her behalf.
“She is in the heart of our nation, Washington, DC, doing what she has been called to do — pushing for legislative support on a critical bill that will ensure accessibility for all in this digital era,” Bergs said. “She is profoundly grateful for this recognition and for each of you who are part of this moment.”
Bergs said that growing up, Killian learned at an early age that obstacles can be turned into direction. Being deaf, she said, didn’t change who she was, but instead strengthened her focus, depend her empathy and sharpened her purpose.
“She carried those lessons with her into every chapter of her life,” Bergs said. “Today, she leads with unwavering commitment to ensure people with disabilities have access to opportunities and a seat at every table. Her work has always been grounded in something simple but powerful – everyone deserves to be seen, heard and valued.”
KILLIAN
