BGISD Announces Hall of Honor Class of 2024

Bowling Green Independent Schools would like to introduce and congratulate the Bowling Green High School Hall of Honor, Class of 2024: Pam Thurman, Class of 1971; Felicia Bland, Class of 1984; and Patrick Martin, Class of 1997. The honorees and their families plan to visit BGHS on Friday, September 27th for a small luncheon, and tour of the school, prior to being introduced on the field at the Homecoming football game.

The Hall of Honor was established to recognize the outstanding character, achievements, and contributions of Bowling Green High School graduates.  A distinguished honoree demonstrates the district motto of “Excellence Is Worth The Effort” in their professional careers, civic endeavors, and personal relationships.

Pam Thurman

Pam Thurman is a 1971 graduate of Bowling Green High. She has been teaching music over the past four decades, only taking time off to help raise three musician daughters. Her experience has been extensive, from preschool to college, in vocal, instrumental and general music, and teacher education, in public and private schools in Minnesota and Kentucky. 

Pam is currently the Head of the Education Committee of Arts of Southern Kentucky at SKYPAC (Southern Kentucky Performing Arts Center). There she also co-directs the Golden Chorale and directs the Southern Kentucky Junior Orff Ensemble. This is her 25th season as a member of Orchestra Kentucky (oboe) and is currently also music teacher at Holy Trinity Lutheran School (preschool-6th grades). 

Awards include Third District Elementary Music Teacher of the Year, Bowling Green Human Rights Commission Women of Achievement Award in the Arts, inducted into the Music Wall of Fame at Western Kentucky University, Distinguished Educator Award in Performing Arts from Western Kentucky University, and last September was named WBKO Hometown Hero. She is married to Michael Thurman and they have 9 grandchildren. 

Felicia Bland

Felicia Bland is a 1984 graduate of Bowling Green High School. She is an alumna of Western Kentucky University, as well as a graduate of The American School of Broadcasting. After Moving to Miami, Florida for a brief time, she relocated back to Bowling Green and started her job with Girl Scouts of Kentuckiana, where she presently serves as the Membership Experience Coordinator. 

Felicia has worked for Girl Scouts for over 23 years in the areas of Recruitment and Outreach. Through her background in Marketing & Communications, she often connects with local media outlets to highlight individuals, events and community happenings for Girl Scouts and other organizations.

With a passion for the arts and children, she teaches and works with several youth organizations throughout the state of Kentucky, often volunteering her time on weekends at community festivals and religious events. She has an extensive background in Spiritual Dance, Mime & Music, and has taught youth and adults all over the state of Kentucky.

She is the Co-Founder and Master Instructor for Gifts of Praise Ministries, which is a Faith Based Creative Arts Ministry that works closely with Curbside Ministries for the Embrace Empathy program at Parker Bennett Curry Elementary.

Felicia is the proud mom to daughter Kerprecia, who is also a BGHS Alumni, Class of 2011, and together they founded “Princess With A Purpose,” for our Special Needs Community in Bowling Green.

Patrick Martin

Commander (CDR) Patrick Martin, graduated from Bowling Green High School in 1997, then earned a Bachelor’s degree in Aviation from Eastern Kentucky University. He started his career as a Certified Flight Instructor and First Officer in Memphis, Tennessee, then joined the Navy in 2004. He completed flight training and was designated a Naval Aviator in 2006.

Throughout his military career, CDR Martin held various roles, including instructor and officer positions. He served three deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, operating from Al Asad Air Base in Iraq. He completed advanced training, and contributed to testing new aircraft systems including executing the first Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile from a carrier-based electronic aircraft. He also earned a Master’s degree in Aviation Safety from the Embry Riddle Aeronautical University.

CDR Martin retired in December 2023 after 20 years of service, with over 195 combat missions, and more than 3,300 hours of military flight time and 2,000 civilian flight hours. His awards include two Meritorious Service Medals, nine Air Medal Strike/Flight awards, two Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals and numerous campaign and service awards.

Patrick now works as a First Officer with Delta Airlines, flying domestic and international routes on the Boeing 757 and 767. He lives in Pensacola, FL, with his wife Christina and daughter Ella Greer.