From time to time, Pattonville hears good news about its graduates. Here are four recent success stories from the classes of 1988, 1991 and 2001. -Read-More- Robert Behnken, Class of 1988 NASA recently announced that Behnken, a lieutenant colonel in the US Air Force, will be returning to space in December 2009. Behnken took his first voyage into space in March 2008 aboard the space shuttle Endeavor on a mission to the International Space Station. Last November, he visited Pattonville High School to share his experience with students. To read the NASA press release on Behnken's next trip to the International Space Station, click here. Martin Nance, Class of 2001 Martin Nance had an up-close and personal view of Super Bowl XLIII. Although he did not dress for the game, he was on the sidelines cheering on his teammates on the winning Pittsburgh Steelers, where he is a wide receiver on the Steelers' practice squad. Nance will receive a Super Bowl ring. For a recent Post-Dispatch story featuring Nance, click here.To view Nance's NFL player Web page, click here. Scott Buford, Class of 1988 Scott Buford has made his mark on Hollywood. Buford is art director for the Television Academy, which encompasses the Primetime Emmy Awards. Buford says, he's very involved "with the overall look and feel of the Academy and the show, and I have designed three physical awards for the Academy, including the College Television Award, The Television Academy Honors award, and the Televisionary Award." Buford is responsible for designing, art directing and managing the "brand" of the Television Academy. He begins the process for the Emmy Awards show by "deciding our 'look' for the year, and then gradually adding in the network, producers, party planners, magazines and media into the Emmy fold. It's an all-encompassing creative position, sometimes stressful, but I love it."         Buford credits retired Pattonville High School art teacher Linda Bowers with inspiring him to a career in art. Bowers placed one of his unfinished works into a gallery show at the Missouri State Capitol.  "The Governor at the time, John Ashcroft, saw my work and liked it so much that he decided to hang it in his office and start a whole 'young artists series,' highlighting young talent in the state of Missouri," Buford said. "I was the inaugural artist picked for this program, complete with a press conference and special dinner in Jefferson City. It was a wonderfully exciting time. Through that experience, I received a partial scholarship to SMSU, and later graduated with a BFA in design. If it weren’t for Mrs. Bowers, I would never have pursued art professionally, so she really jumpstarted my career!" To view some of Buford's work for the Television Academy, as well as an article on an award he designed, click here. Dave Nielsen, Class of 1991 Dave Nielsen is making a name for himself by making a difference for children. Nielsen was recently named Teacher of the Year for the Wentzville School District. He is a math teacher at Timberland High School in Wentzville. For a photo and story on Nielsen and his award, click here. -End-