Abilene-Cooper High Hall of Fame inductees known for music talents after leaving

Honesty, sincerity and graciousness were all delivered to Cooper High School students sitting in the auditorium Friday morning.

Both Christa Black Gifford and George Hogan, the latest enshrined individuals in the school's Hall of Fame, offered a little of each, plus a whole lot more in their remarks.

Gifford, class of 1996, and Hogan, class of 1977, have accomplished much in their chosen career paths: music.

She has toured with many musical groups, including The Jonas Brothers, while he has performed opera on a number of Public Broadcasting Service shows and on the stage of the Sydney Opera House in Australia.

Friday's ceremony marked a return to a bit of normal for the school, having not had an induction ceremony in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

It had been an annual tradition during homecoming week to honor a couple outstanding alumni or former teachers for their contributions to the school.

More:Surprise! Cooper hall induction catches retiring cheerleading coach Wise off guard

Real talk and a hint of flare

As Cooper High teacher Jimmy Pogue introduced Gifford, she gave the crowd a little shoulder shimmy in excitement.

Then, as she grabbed the microphone, she treated the students to a little honesty.

Gifford, who told a story of her high school self's desire to be loved by all around her, opened up about straying from her self-identity when alcohol was placed in front of her at 15.

Found in a large glass, the beer tempted her while she partied with girls who were all older at the time.

It represented a true test, she said, and she didn't like the results as much as she thought she might.

Her story, she hopes, has a chance to reach the ears of student who may, themselves, be facing a similar situation or carrying the same desires. Coddling them because they're young or ignoring the struggles they face, she said, does no one any good. 

"It's better to be honest and meet them wherever they're at," she said.

Gifford, who lives in Costa Rica, was on her flight from Houston to Abilene on Friday morning as the school's pep rally honored her.

She said the plane was on the tarmac about to take off when the party started. As her name was about to be read, service cut out as they were in the air.

Hours later, she stood on the stage accepting her recognition. It was an honor her younger self craved, but she said her years of experience mellowed that aspect of her personality.

No longer is she craving affection from everyone around her. She instead finds it from within.

"Don't change a thing," she said, pondering if she could go back and talk to her younger self, sitting with a beer cup in front of her. "You can't find who you are if you don't know who you aren't."

A love for teachers

Hogan's deep, bass voice rumbled out of the speakers as he told his own stories of attending CHS.

Though his didn't involve admitting to consuming alcohol, he did offer the audience a story of a young man with asthma who wanted nothing more than to sing his heart out.

This youth was told he could never do anything in life that required lung power, like his true passion. And that sports, too, were absolutely out of the question due to reduced lung capacity.

A doctor's visit revealed, Hogan said, scar tissue in the lungs. But the doctor also found it interesting that the lungs were strong. Extremely strong, Hogan said.

That child went on to sign a record deal and sing around the world.

"That young man was me," he said.

He attributed his success singing to the teachers who brought him along. His middle school teacher at Mann Junior High auditioned him and did a double-take when the bass voice came out of his mouth.

Earning the Hall of Fame honor is a representation of both his and his teachers' hard work, he said.

Today, Hogan gives back to his teachers by paying it forward as one himself. 

"For me, this is an acknowledgement of the great teaching I received when I was younger," Hogan said. "They've all passed away, but they were all very proud for me. I'm proud to be paying it forward to others."

Timothy Chipp covers education and is general assignments reporter for the Abilene Reporter-News. If you appreciate locally driven news, you can support local journalists with a digital subscription to ReporterNews.com. 

CHS Hall of Fame inductees

Gifford has toured with popular music act The Jonas Brothers and crossover Christian musician Michael W. Smith and written music for artists including American Idol winner Jordin Sparks. She has written two books, "Heart Made Whole," and "God Loves Ugly," and contributes articles to news sources like The Huffington Post, according to the biography available on her website, christablackgifford.com.

Hogan has performed and directed several operas filmed and broadcast on Public Broadcasting Service, including shows in Carnegie Hall in New York City, at the Sydney Opera House in Sydney, Australia, and in various European venues. He's also an accomplished voice actor, providing narration and commercial services for hire. His website is thegeorgehogan.com.