Ames High School officials recommend naming theater space after Wayne "Hank" Hansen

Those who have long advocated for part of Ames High School to be named after a widely beloved former theater teacher may soon get their wish.

Ames Superintendent Julious Lawson said during Monday's school board meeting that it's the official recommendation for the high school's performing arts space to be named after Wayne "Hank" Hansen.

Hansen, originally of Manilla, Iowa, taught speech and English in Ames for more than 30 years and built the high school's theater program, according to his obituary. He died in September 2020 in Ames at the age of 80.

Dozens of supporters have written testimonies on Hansen's behalf about the positive impact he had on their lives and professional trajectories. People have been reading those submitted statements to the Ames school board at meetings for about a year, seeking for the high school's new theater space to be named after Hansen.

There has also been a Change.org petition active for two years in support of the new theater space being named after Hansen. More than 2,000 people have signed that petition.

There will be a full school board vote ahead on whether to actually attach Hansen's name to the high school theater. Board president Sabrina Shields-Cook said the vote would probably come at the next meeting, which is scheduled for April 10 at 5:30 p.m.

“It’s exciting to have this come to fruition," Shields-Cook said.

Lawson said he would find out in the meantime if the high school's theater space is officially designated as an auditorium or as a performing arts center.

Phillip Sitter covers education for the Ames Tribune, including Iowa State University and PreK-12 schools in Ames and elsewhere in Story County. Phillip can be reached via email at psitter@gannett.com. He is on Twitter @pslifeisabeauty.

This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: Ames school board to vote on naming theater after Wayne "Hank" Hansen