"College entrance for Helga [Zirkel] is the end of a long road. Evanston [Illinois] High's aptitude and interest tests channeled her toward an art major. Then advisors helped her plan a program and choose a college. 'I almost wish I could have stayed longer,' she says. 'There's so much I don't know.'" Photo by Douglas Jones, from the September 22, 1964, edition of LOOK.

Helga Zirkel Schwarten at an outdoor restaraunt table in the suburban Chicago area. Despite being elected homecoming queen at Evanston High, she says she experienced some discrimination because her family immigrated from Germany after WWII. She did go on to study at the Chicago Art Institute. With her husband Tom, they raised three daughters. After a recent cancer scare, Helga returned to painting with determination. Some of her work can be seen here. Photo by Bill Ganzel, July, 2018.

Marc & Kathy LeBaron, Lincoln NE
Don Freeman, York NE
Kelly Holthus, York NE
Paul Smith, Omaha NE
Tom and Lisa Smith, Lincoln NE
Jim and Karen Linder, Omaha NE
John and Anne Nelson, Omaha NE
Dwight and Margaret Ganzel, Lincoln, NE
Betty and Debby Cooper, Bethesda, MD
Todd and Betiana Simon Foundation, Omaha NE
Arthur and Christine Zygielbaum, Lincoln NE
Sally Ruben and Hardy Leggett, York NE
Dr. Annette Wiechert
Julie and Charlie Willnerd, Bennet, NE
Fred Clark, Clark Creative Group, Omaha NE
David Landis, Lincoln NE

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