Joan Fagerness – WHS Class of 1976

Volleyball

Basketball–  letter winner; 2 time All conference; Played in the first Minnesota State Girls Basketball Tournament

Track – letter winner; 2 time State Track & Field Meet participant Shot Put; 4th place Shot Put State Track Meet, Arnold T. Sanderson Best Field Events Award; WHS school record of the Girls Shot Put

Awards – Female Athlete of the Year ‘76

College – Mankato State University – Track, 3 years, 3 time qualifier for the Nationals; Pursued a degree in Criminal Justice; University of Minnesota – Track

Joan was in the U.S. Armed Services from March 1981 to February 1987, in which she was a member of the All-Army track team, and at one point was ranked 14th in the nation for the women’s Shot Put. In 1988, Joan was hired as the first female firefighter/paramedic in the 100 year history of the Hawaii County Fire Department, and is still currently employed there.  Joan is the daughter of Lee and Armella Fagerness and resides in Hilo, Hawaii. She was inducted into the Trojan Hall of Fame in 1996.