Hometown high school recognizes Press Club's Priebe

National Press Club member Louis Victor Priebe, although a Washington resident since 1970, is clearly a man who still loves his hometown of Enid, Oklahoma.

Now the community he was raised in is letting him know that the feeling is mutual.

Priebe, the recipient of the 2011 Berny Krug Award, has recently received Enid High School’s ``Pride of the Plainsman Award," an honor given to alumni and benefactors who have excelled in their individual career fields.

A public relations veteran who graduated from Enid High in 1959, Priebe says that he was particularly struck by the award’s selection process.

“You’re nominated by the community, but it’s the students that select the recipients,” Priebe said in an interview. “It kind of reflects both of their standards.”

Priebe notes that while he’s not able to get back to Oklahoma nearly as often as he likes, he nevertheless keeps in close contact with his hometown to avoid an “inside-the-Beltway mentality.”

“There was another member of Press Club several years ago by the name of Will Rogers who never forgot where he came from -- Claremore, Oklahoma,” Priebe said. “And I’ve tried to never forget where I’m from.”

Priebe added that several of the friends he’s stayed in touch with have paid visits to the Press Club and found that it matches the plain state’s hospitality.

“They felt like they were home at the Press Club, even though they were 1,200 miles away,” Priebe said.