Two Aurora alums to be inducted to Hall of Fame

Two members of the Aurora High School Classes of 1963 and 1973 will be inducted into the Alumni Hall of Fame this Friday during A’ROR’N Days festivities. The presentation will be made during the intermission of the BD & the Boys concert sponsored by the Alumni Association. The concert is scheduled for 6:30-8:30 p.m. on the southwest corner of the square. 
The first 2023 inductee is Beth (Troester) Andrews who graduated from Aurora High School in 1973 and is celebrating her 50-year anniversary since graduation. After high school, she attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln majoring in home economics education. 
Beth married Dennis Andrews in December of 1976 and started her married life on a farm outside of Hampton. Dennis and Beth have four children and 10 (soon to be 11 and 12) grandchildren. 
She has been instrumental in the Hamilton County 4-H programs starting out as a child and continuing through to adulthood as a leader of various 4-H groups. She has also been a 4-H judge for over 30 years. 
She is the event coordinator of the Hamilton County Spelling Bee and works tirelessly organizing the local school backpack program which provides families much-needed food items during the school year and through the summer months as well. 
Andrews volunteers at the 12th Street Cinema and has also been a valuable volunteer at the Hamilton County Senior Center, delivering Meals on Wheels to homebound residents in the county. She also serves on the board of the Hamilton County Food Pantry.
She is a founding member of the Cross of Christ Church in Aurora and is responsible for sanctuary banners and flowers, among many other duties. She was nominated by her classmates for the alumni award. 
The second Aurora alum to be inducted on Friday is Jim Higby who graduated from Aurora High School as a member of the Class of 1963. He was active in band and vocal music, track and cross country and drama and class plays. 
Higby attended Kearney State College for three years, then transferred to the San Francisco College of Mortuary Science, graduating in 1967. He then returned to Aurora where he served his apprenticeship at Higby Mortuary, continuing as the third generation in the family business. 
Higby married Linda Caudle on Nov. 26, 1967, in Healdsburg, Calif., and the couple was blessed with two children, Paul and Ann. 
When Higby was growing up in Aurora, it was a “Tom Sawyer” type of town where everyone knew everyone and was willing to help out when needed. Jim and his dad, Eldon, served the community with great dignity and respect at times in people’s lives when both qualities were very much needed. 
Higby was active in Jaycees, serving as president, and was also involved with the Aurora Community Theatre. He was an active member of Rotary for over 40 years and also served on the Chamber of Commerce Board. He was an active member of the United Methodist Church, serving on several committees and singing with the choir, as well as working with the youth. He also took part in Lay Witness Missions in Nebraska and North and South Dakota. 
Higby retired from Higby-McQuiston Mortuary in December 2010 and he and Linda now make their home in Mesquite, Nev.