Three BHS alumni honored by South Suburban Conference

The South Suburban Conference (SSC) honored three Burnsville High School graduates at its annual Achievement and Award Celebration on April 29. 

Tori Dixon (Class of 2010) received an SSC Achievement Award for athletics, Cedric Yarbrough (1991) received an SSC Achievement Award for fine arts, and Mark Riggs (1983) was honored for Distinguished Service to the Students and Programs of the South Suburban Conference for his role as longtime teacher and coach at BHS. 

Cedric Yarbrough

Cedric Yarbrough is an actor and comedian with an astounding 30-year career in Hollywood. He was influenced and encouraged early on by his mother to pursue his love of the arts. It was his first acting teacher, Burnsville High School theatre arts and music teacher Mark Mraz, who gave him the confidence to believe in his dreams and compelled him to go after them. 

After high school, Yarbrough studied theatre at Inver Hills Community College and Minnesota State University Mankato. 

Yarbrough has had starring roles in television hits like Emmy-nominated “Reno 911!,” “Speechless” and “The Goldbergs.” He’s also a prolific voice actor, appearing in animated series “The Boondocks,” “Family Guy,” “Kung Fu Panda 4,” “Bojack Horseman,” “Bugs Bunny,” and many more. He’s worked alongside titans of comedy, including Steve Carrell, Will Ferrell, Amy Poehler and Melissa McCarthy. His theatre work in Minnesota – at Burnsville High School then at Mixed Blood Theatre, The Children’s Theatre and Dudley Rigg’s Brave New Workshop – helped lay the groundwork for him to break out of the comedy box and land his most recent role in Oscar Award-winning director Clint Eastwood’s latest thriller, “Juror #2.” 

Yarbrough was inducted into the Burnsville High School Hall of Fame in the fall of 2025. His story is one of talent, perseverance and the lasting impact of a supportive Burnsville community. From the classrooms and stages of Burnsville High School to the bright lights of Hollywood, he has carried with him the encouragement of the teachers, mentors, and family who first believed in his dreams.Today, Cedric not only represents the success of a Burnsville graduate on a very bright stage, but also serves as an inspiration to the next generation of students who want to blaze their own path in the world. 

Tori Dixon

A 2010 graduate of Burnsville High School, Tori Dixon was recognized with the Achievement Award in Athletics for her outstanding athletic accomplishments in high school and beyond.

Dixon was a dominant force on the volleyball court at Burnsville High School. From 2006 to 2009, she earned four All-Conference, three All-State, two All-Metro and one All-American awards. In her senior season, she led her team to a 21–9 record and a No. 2 seed in the Class AAA State Tournament, finishing third overall while earning All-Tournament honors. Dixon amassed 498 kills, 226 digs, and 68 service aces as a senior while hitting an astounding .534. 

Dixon continued her rise at the University of Minnesota, where she became one of the most decorated players in program history. She helped the Gophers to the Sweet 16 of the national volleyball tournament in 2011 and 2013, and the Elite 8 in 2012. As a two-time AVCA All-American and three-time All-Big Ten selection, Dixon finished her collegiate career ranked fifth all-time in total blocks (507), ninth in career kills (1,479), and set the program record for career hitting percentage at .369. Her .436 hitting percentage as a junior remains a single-season school record. 

Dixon was inducted into the Burnsville High School Hall of Fame Class of 2021, as well as the University of Minnesota’s M Club Hall of Fame Class of 2024.   

On the international stage, Dixon reached the pinnacle of the sport as a member of the U.S. Women's National Volleyball Team that captured the gold medal at the FIVB Volleyball Women's World Championship. She was also named Best Middle Blocker at the 2014 Women’s Pan-American Volleyball Cup. In total, she earned 13 medals as a member of the national team and qualified for two Olympic games.

Dixon also serves as a coach and mentor for the “Give It Back Foundation,” which was founded in 2015 by USA Women’s National Volleyball team members who share the mission of leading the next generation of athletes toward healthy competition and generosity. Based on the core values of “Lead. Play. Compete,” they began a journey to instill the spirit of the Olympics and World Championship within young athletes in their local communities.

Mark Riggs

Mark Riggs, a 1983 graduate of Burnsville High School, has devoted more than four decades of service to the South Suburban Conference as a student-athlete, coach, educator and activities leader. After beginning his teaching career at Belle Plaine High School, he returned to his alma mater in 1990 and was actively involved until his retirement in 2023, completing 36 years as an educator. 

Riggs’ impact is most evident through his long-standing leadership in athletics. He coached football for 31 years (1990–2021) as both an assistant and head coach, shaping generations of student-athletes through a commitment to discipline, character and team-first values. He was the head wrestling coach for 30 years (1990–2020) and also served as head track coach for five years (1990-1995). Additionally, he directed youth football and wrestling camps, summer strength and conditioning camps, and athletic programs for students with special needs. Through these leadership roles, he focused on promoting excellence and quality experiences for all students, ultimately strengthening community connections and developing future student-athletes.

From 2012–2023, he served as the Assistant Athletic & Activities Coordinator, supervising athletic programs across all three seasons and supporting postseason competition. In this role, he collaborated with South Suburban Conference schools to ensure quality experiences rooted in sportsmanship and integrity.

Beyond coaching, some of Mark’s most impactful contributions came through student-leadership and inclusive programming. For 24 years, he served as the student council advisor. In this role, he organized major school-wide events, leadership initiatives and service/volunteer projects, including Polar Plunge, Minneapolis Miracle, Armful of Love, Relay for Life, and Feed My Starving Children. Through these activities, he helped foster school pride, community engagement and a sense of belonging. He consistently involved students in conference leadership meetings, emphasizing character, service and collaboration.

A passionate advocate for inclusion, Mark coordinated multiple athletic opportunities for students with special needs and organized district-wide track and field events for students with disabilities. He earned recognition for this transformative work, receiving District 191 Inclusive Education Practices and Life Changer of the Year Awards and being named District 191 Teacher of the Year.

Mark’s career reflects a steadfast commitment to leadership, inclusivity, and educational excellence. Through coaching, advising and service to his community, he has positively impacted students, strengthened school culture and community, and advanced the mission of the South Suburban Conference.