Murray, NEB- On Thursday, January 2, an extremely important and influential figure in the Conestoga community lost her battle with breast cancer. Allison Welch passed at age 55, surrounded by her husband, sons, and dogs in her home in Beaver Lake. Welch was a fifth-generation Nebraskan and grew up on the south shore of Lake McConaughy.
She graduated from Ogallala High School in 1987 and received a Bachelor of Journalism degree from the University of Nebraska in 1991. While at UNL, she served as rush chair for Kappa Alpha Theta and was involved in many other activities. On August 22, 1998, she married Lawrence (Larry) Welch, Jr., who currently serves as a judge on the Nebraska Court of Appeals. He also coaches boys soccer and mock trial at Conestoga. They have three sons who all graduated from here.
Welch was very passionate about improving and supporting Conestoga Public Schools. She was the president of the Conestoga Board of Education at the time of her passing and served for 8 years total. She also served the Conestoga PTO, Conestoga Foundation, and Booster Club. Additionally, she was a TeamMates mentor. Welch was known for her strong leadership. She raised funds and planned Conestoga’s outdoor classroom, Cougar Hallow, which was certified and featured by the Arbor Day Foundation. In 2023, she received the Ann Mactier Leadership for Learning Award from the Nebraska Department of Education and Nebraska Association of School Boards. Her involvement in Conestoga has convinced many others to put the same effort forward.
Most recently, she led a difficult but successful campaign to approve a desperately needed school bond. Welch persevered through multiple failed attempts for students, faculty, and the community. Her persistence in communicating and promoting the need for critical renovations and updates of the school facilities will impact generations to come. The $33M bond she helped pass will add improvements everywhere, including a secure entrance, updated science classrooms, and a new STS wing of the building.
Tracey Priefert, treasurer of the Board, stated, “It was Allison’s forward-looking vision, hard work, and leadership that led to these tangible educational improvements to the district.” Because of her, students who attend Conestoga will have access to updated facilities, but more importantly, be safer while learning.
While her career is full of many accomplishments, fellow board member Candace Kelley expressed, “I truly believe Allison’s greatest impact was the way that she loved, cared, and served our community. She has inspired us all to live a life of service to our others.” Welch was described by close friends and family as having a beautiful soul and open heart. “Her wisdom, kindness, and intelligence were impressive, but her humor and witty one-liners made the whole room laugh,” said Kelley.
Priefert, who was a very close friend, has many good memories with Welch, but her favorite is golfing with her. “Allison loved to golf; not because she was headed for the LPGA or anything, but because she loved having fun with friends. She also didn’t take herself, or golf, too seriously and wouldn’t hesitate to have some self-deprecating humor once in a while. Anyway, I remember her having a not-so-great golf shot during a match and instead of being grumpy about it, she did a somersault right there on the course!”
Her loss will be felt not only deeply by her family and loved ones but also by the whole community. This Tuesday, Conestoga is hosting a basketball pink-out game to honor her.
If you are interested in filling the school board vacancy, visit the link below to fill out an application. Once the existing board members have discussed all applicants, they vote on who to appoint.
Link: https://www.conestogacougars.org/board-of-education
