Since 1871, thousands of students have become alumni of Lincoln High School.

One of those grads, was John Stubbs.

In 1935, Stubbs officially became a member of a select group of people honored to receive a diploma from Lincoln's first high school.

Now, years after his death, John and his wife, Nancy, are leaving their legacy, making sure the future of Lincoln High, as well as other Lincoln schools are bright.

"Imagine you go to class with someone named John Stubbs, and you think, 'He's really nice, but I'll never see him again. I'll never talk to him,' but you don't really know someone's character, until you see what they do. John Stubbs might have talked the talk, but then, he walked the walk," said Phoebe Perry, Junior, Lincoln High School.

A walk down the halls of Lincoln High School, among classmates and friends.

A place he and his wife Nancy did not return, since his graduation in 1935.

A career Navy man, John Stubbs passed away in 1996.

Nancy passed away in 2008.

Nearly 75 years after his graduation, the Stubbs have given back to Lincoln.

"We honor John and Nancy Stubbs for their generous $1 million gift," said Steve Navin, Chair, Foundation for LPS.

That gift will benefit future and current students, like Perry.

"I feel really humbled, because I don't know if I would have that same kind of empathy, and think back when I have enough money to give to a foundation," said Perry.

"A lot of lincoln high students have walked these halls before, and now, one of them has made a large contribution that is going to make a difference in their lives," said Dr. Mike Wortman, Principal, Lincoln High School.

25 percent of the $1 million will go to Lincoln High School, for renovation projects and grants for teachers and administration, as well as a scholarship possibility for future graduates like Perry.

"It's wonderful, because a lot of us have a difficult time, especially in Lincoln High school, of getting funds to go to higher education, and to go further in our education and to pursue our passions," said Perry.

75 percent of the gift will be placed into the John D. Stubbs and Nancy C. Stubbs Fund for Excellence in Education.

A fund the Foundation for Lincoln Public Schools says will benefit students, teachers, faculty, everyone.

"The Stubbs do not have children. This is their legacy forever, and just the power of that, forever, is an incredible example for all of us to think about what we want our legacy to be," said Barbara Bartle, President, Foundation for LPS.

"It sets the example for students here today, and students who will hear about this, to know the impact and difference it makes when you give back."

Giving back to a cause so near and dear to their hearts.

Taking care of Lincoln's students, as if they were their own.

"I hope future generations will walk the walk, because gifts like this are so rare," said Perry.

Following graduation in 1935, John Stubbs enlisted in the Navy.

He and his wife Nancy lived on the East Coast until their deaths.

While working on the gift, Nancy told Foundation officials her husband fondly remembered growing up in Lincoln and attending Lincoln High.

For more information on Lincoln High School and the Foundation for Lincoln Public Schools, click the link below.