JUDY (JENSEN) TESAR

Class of 1961
​Inducted in 2019

Judy was inducted into the SHSAA Hall of Fame in 2019.

Judy graduated from South in 1961.  During her years at South, Judy was on the Honor Roll her sophomore, junior and senior years.  She was on the varsity cheer squad for three years, was an exchange student, a member of GAA, Future Teachers Association, Inter-City Student Council as Treasurer, and has served on the class reunion committee since graduation.   
 
Judy attended Omaha University graduating in 1965 with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education.  She was involved in a number of activities while at OU.  Judy was named “Woman of the Year” by the Omaha Alumni Panhellenic Association in 1998.  This club is made up of women from 21 different sororities.  Judy has been an active member of the Alpha Xi Delta Sorority for over 40 years.  Her award was given for her continuous service to her local alumnae chapter, having served in every office of her chapter.  Judy has received the Evelyn Schellak Sisterhood Award in 1967 and again in 1980 for outstanding work in the Alpha Xi Delta Alum Association.  She was  their pledge class president in 1962, active class vice-president in 1964-65, their alumnae regional officer where she traveled to four states representing Alpha Xi, sophomore and junior class secretary, junior prom queen, member of the Angel Flight Honorary of the Arnold Air Society, Panhellenic Representative and Ma-ie Day Princess in 1965.
 
Judy taught third and fourth grades, 28 years in pre-kindergarten program at St. Paul United Methodist, where she was the director for 26 years.  She developed their three-day-a-week program to a five-day-a-week program with both morning and afternoon classes.  She’s taught several UNO student teachers, and has been endorsed by the Love and Logic Parenting program, and taught the program to parents for many years. She was nominated for an Outstanding Early Childhood Award in 1995.  She holds a lifetime membership in the PTA and served on the UNO Board of Directors for six years.
 
Judy has also been a very active member in various community organizations – Sokol Camp Association past secretary. This organization provides boy scouting with facilities and activities, as well as many other children events through the Kids of Camp.  She is currently the treasurer of the Women’s Auxiliary.  She was the past-president 2017-2019 of CHI Creighton Univ. Med Center Bergan Mercy Auxiliary, a volunteer for the American Heart Association, and the American Cancer Association. 
 
Judy is a founding member of the SHS Alumni Association and has served as an active member of the Alumni Board since its inception.  She was the Hall of Fame Chair for two years, worked on our 60’s decade dances, spaghetti dinners, and is a perpetual volunteer for numerous committees and has participated in nearly all alumni events.
 
Judy has been married to Rudy Tesar-1960 for 54 years.  They have three daughters and six grandchildren.