Five inducted into the LH Life Achievement Hall of Fame
The Laurel Highlands Academic Foundation Saturday morning honored five more of its own by inducting them into the district’s Life Achievement Hall of Fame.
Established in the spring of 2012, the Hall of Fame now consists of 13 honorees. This year’s class includes the late Joseph DiNunno of the 1938 class of South Union; Dr. George Garrow of the 1977 class of Laurel Highlands; Dr. Mark Esper of the 1982 class of Laurel Highlands; Douglas Matthews of the 1983 class of Laurel Highlands; and Dr. David Sheba of the 1990 class of Laurel Highlands.
The purpose of the Hall of Fame is to honor past students from Laurel Highlands, along with the former North and South Union High Schools, who have made an impact by distinguishing themselves in their career, community or society, or have brought recognition to the district, said Jes Hutson, who served as emcee of the induction ceremony held at the Holiday Inn in Uniontown.
Hall of Fame nominees can be eligible because of their contributions in their professional career, public service, education, military service, music and the arts, athletics and other, he pointed out.
“They (the inductees) are an inspiration to the students and to us all,” Hutson stated.
Laurel Highlands is one of four school districts in Fayette County to have a Hall of Fame. This year’s inductees were chosen from about 20 to 25 nominations.
Founded in 1996, the foundation is a non-profit organization formed by friends of the Laurel Highlands School District. The goals of the volunteer board of trustees, which acts independently from the school board, are to provide resources for additional enrichment activities, resources for unique student learning needs and extend the opportunities for quality education for students by fundraising, charitable individual and corporate contributions and student scholarships.
“Since its founding, the foundation has been able to put hundreds of thousands of dollars back into the district,” said chairman Gary Carter. “Everything we do goes back to our kids, back into the district.”
District programs sponsored by the foundation include: Outreach Programs such as Touchstone Center for the Arts and Crafts; Artist/Author in Residence Program for the elementary grades; Annual Community Spirit Day; and Family Reading Night.
At Saturday’s ceremony, each of the inductees were introduced and gave brief acceptance speeches during which they expressed how honored they were to now be included in the Hall of Fame.
And, each attributed Laurel Highlands for “planting the seeds” for their success.