Gary Ales' Friendship Club Legacy Honored
![Humboldt honors Gary Ales]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1763996899/sppsorg/h41wf48dvckrcykkcbrq/740e29bc-cab4-4ca8-a30c-0c51d7889e8a.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1763996899/sppsorg/h41wf48dvckrcykkcbrq/740e29bc-cab4-4ca8-a30c-0c51d7889e8a.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1763996899/sppsorg/h41wf48dvckrcykkcbrq/740e29bc-cab4-4ca8-a30c-0c51d7889e8a.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1763996899/sppsorg/h41wf48dvckrcykkcbrq/740e29bc-cab4-4ca8-a30c-0c51d7889e8a.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1763996899/sppsorg/h41wf48dvckrcykkcbrq/740e29bc-cab4-4ca8-a30c-0c51d7889e8a.jpg","width":1536}])
Family, friends, colleagues and former students of Gary Ales gathered at Humboldt High School last week to remember the longtime Saint Paul Public Schools educator and counselor. Ales and his wife Jean brought the Friendship Club to many SPPS schools, including Humboldt, where he served as a counselor after 24 years of teaching at Johnson.
With the help of Ales’ former neighbors, his legacy will live on at Humboldt. The school is installing a hydroponic system to assure students receive access to fresh produce. In addition, Ales’ gift of volunteering will continue within the Women’s and Men’s groups at Humboldt. Earlier this month, the Women’s club volunteered at the Neighborhood House to provide food for the holidays to those who need it.
Finally, the school will name the PBIS Store (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) after Ales, awarding students for modeling behavior like he showed.
Retired SPPS principal Mary Mackbee attended the event, as did current Humboldt principal Dr. Valerie Littles-Butler and St. Paul City Council President Rebecca Noecker.