Wednesday, January 07, 2009
Teacher~Administrator
Nominees
Teacher~Administrator
Nominees
Teacher~Administrator
Nominees
Teacher~Administrator Nominees
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(blank)
|
|
(blank)
|
(blank)
|
(blank)
|
A native of Ganges, Ohio, Jeanette Bly Egleston Allard ’50
dedicated 32 years to teaching high school students business English and law
as well as typing and accounting. During her student years at SHS, Ms. Allard
was a Whippet band majorette. Afterward she earned her bachelor’s degree
at Baldwin-Wallace. She then taught in Medina, Ohio, for four years before
returning to Shelby where she taught at SHS for 18 years and at Pioneer Joint
Vocational School for 10 years. Her involvement extended outside the classroom
as she served as advisor to Tri-Hi-Y and to the typists for Whippet Tales,
the school newspaper. In all, some 2,500 students benefited from Jeanette’s
teaching and guidance. Fifty years after beginning her career, she continues
as a part-time teacher. An alum observes, “She still sees many of her
students and is interested in their lives, families and careers. She inspired
many to achieve a higher level than the students themselves thought was possible.”
Ms. Allard also co-authored a book on the history of one-room schoolhouses
in Richland County and participated in the preservation of Morton School,
the one-room schoolhouse on rural West Main Street. She lives in Shelby.
(Return to top of list!)
Bruce Archdeacon was born in 1907 and graduated from Seville High
School in Medina County. He earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees,
studying at Fenn College (now Cleveland State), Wilmington College, Ashland
University, Ohio State, Case Western Reserve and American University. For
more than 30 years he taught chemistry and physics and, in the words of a
former student, “was outstanding in his knowledge of the fields which
proved interesting and valuable to so many of us. He patiently found ways
to explain those things that some were not quick to grasp. He was firmly in
charge but always a respectful leader. And his teaching style commanded respect.
He went out of his way to assure that his labs were properly stocked and that
the required materials were ready.” Says a second alum: “Mr. Archdeacon
was a demanding teacher, and I was not his best student. But, looking back
on it now, I realize that what I know, understand and believe are rooted in
those basics that he worked so hard to teach. I will never forget the sign
he had hanging on the wall of his lab: ‘This is a laboratory –
a place for LABOR, not ORATORY.’” Remarks a third alum: “He
prepared me well for not only my college coursework but for a solid foundation
for my career.” Mr. Archdeacon passed away in 1977.
(Return to top of list!)
A 1944 Willard High School graduate, Joan Arrington taught
at SHS for 30 years, from 1954-1984. Before coming to SHS, she taught one
year at Willard High School and for two years taught sixth grade in Attica,
Ohio. She is a graduate of Heidelberg College. The 1974 Scarlet S was dedicated
to her. Observes a former student, “She treated her students as adults,
as long as they behaved in that manner. I felt she was giving us respect,
and most of us felt obligated to return that respect. It wasn’t difficult,
as Joan earned her title, ‘teacher,’ every day. I never saw her
slack off – never. She prepared me well for college. I never took an
essay test when Joan was not there helping in some small or large way. Finally,
and importantly, I realized only these last few months that Joan had helped
me become a better teacher. I, like her, give it my most sincere effort every
day. What the heck, I learned from the best.” Joan Arrington passed
away unexpectedly on September 3, 2006 at her home in Willard.
(Return to top of list!)
Paul Curry could be aptly characterized as a man for all educational
seasons. Born in 1902 in Ashland, Paul graduated from Ashland University in
1924 and immediately came to SHS where for six years he taught math and coached
football and basketball. In fact, he is the only SHS head coach to win conference
championships in both football (his teams won 29, lost 13 and tied 4) and
basketball, with the titles coming when Shelby was in the North Central Ohio
League. Then for 28 years, Paul served on Shelby’s Board of Education.
Comments an alum, “His was a lifelong interest and love for education
– and specifically the success of Shelby’s educational system.
In addition, quietly from behind the scenes, he provided financial aid to
several SHS graduates to enable them to attend college. He was a consummate
teacher – always encouraging the learner to higher personal goals. His
life bespoke of integrity and a strong sense of justice. And his love for
Shelby never wavered.” Paul’s support of the community was ongoing,
as he was associated with the beginnings of Pioneer Joint Vocational School
and served on the board of Shelby Memorial Hospital. He retired from Shelby
Mutual Insurance Company as executive vice president in 1967. Paul died on
January 29, 1978.
(Return to top of list!)
Marie Hughes is an SHS graduate – 1909 -- who was born in 1891.
She earned her bachelor’s degree at Ohio Wesleyan. She spent her entire
teaching career at SHE where she taught English and American History. But
she did more – much more. In the words of an alum, Miss Hughes was a
“super teacher! She made you understand English literature by ‘transporting’
you to the time it was written. She was outstanding!” This alum adds
that Miss Hughes followed her students after graduation. She was very caring
She wrote to hundreds of service men and women while they were serving, especially
during World War II. She was a superior role model of class and grace. I remember
two marines coming to the classroom door. She had been listed as a person
to contact if something happened. She listened to them and then returned to
our class. Her comment – as she dabbed her eyes with a lacy handkerchief
– was ‘I told Billy to keep his head down.’ The vets she
wrote to during World War II held a picnic for her in Seltzer Park and hundreds
came. I was at the pool and wondered what it was all about. It certainly showed
the respect they had for her.” Miss Hughes retired in 1960 and died
in 1974.
(Return to top of list!)
From 1946 through 1965, J.E. McCollough served as principal
of SHS. The 1960 Scarlet S observed that his “helpful advice and friendly
attitude to all students has gained for him the respect of all – students
and faculty alike.” The 1963 Scarlet S noted that “he has proved
invaluable as a friend and advisor…always available to aid students
in choosing their subjects and to direct them in setting goals for the future.”
Observes an alum, “He was a really fine man who always tried to be fair
but firm -- when FIRM was allowed. Even as a student, I admired him.”
In 1965-66, Mr. McCollough stayed on to serve a year as principal of the Middle
School before retiring. He passed away on August 7, 1991.
(Return to top of list!)
From his birth in 1926 until his death in 2004, Don Monn
was one of Shelby’s own. He graduated in 1944 after playing football
for the Whippets. After military service, Mr. Monn earned a bachelor’s
degree from Otterbein. He returned to SHS in 1955 and taught – history,
government and driver’s education – and coached – football
and baseball – until retiring in 1983. Remembers an alum, “Mr.
Monn taught and coached with great zest and splashes of humor.” He coached
eight undefeated reserve football teams and compiled a record of 203 wins,
46 losses and 10 ties. During one span, his teams won 42 straight games. He
served as an active member of the SHS Alumni Association planning team until
his death in April of 2004.
(Return to top of list!)
It would not be accurate or fair to judge the impact of Emil Sarpa
on SHS students on only the number of years he taught at SHS. Although his
tenure at SHS was brief, his influence was great. Says an alum, “He
made you want to learn, and he was the first teacher to make history interesting
for me. He was very demanding, both as to mastering the content of his course
and as to student behavior. At the beginning of a school year, he laid down
the law with regard to those expectations, and he was intimidating. By the
end of the year, I was looking forward to his classes. To pass his history
class, you had to prepare and present successfully a senior speech This requirement
was wonderful training in terms of organizing and effectively articulating
thoughts. In his classes, you paid attention because you really wanted to
learn what he was teaching.” Mr. Sarpa lives in Cosaltos, California.
(Return to top of list!)
Dora Summer ‘12 was a native of Shelby, born on December 7,
1894. She earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Ohio
State, and she also studied at Oberlin College and Columbia, Bowling Green
and Ashland Universities. She arrived at SHS in 1916 and taught until 1964
– 48 years. “Literally,” recalls an alum, “she taught
generations of SHS students. Indeed, she taught both my mother and me. She
was a no-nonsense teacher; in her classroom, she ruled quietly. She made me
want to learn Latin. I loved her class. You could see that she respected her
students, and this increased the respect we had for her. In fact, she helped
hundreds of SHS students learn Latin and learn how to analyze and think.”
The Scarlet S was dedicated to her twice – in 1930 and 1964. Miss Summer
died on July 22, 1983 at age 88.
(Return to top of list!)
Bill Varble is a native of Louisville, Kentucky but has spent the
vast majority of his life in Ohio – a life dedicated to teaching and
coaching. He earned a bachelor’s degree at Wittenberg and arrived in
Shelby immediately after graduation in 1954. Mr. Varble taught science at
Shelby Junior High and biology at SHS. He also invested untold hours coaching
football and track. In football, he served as an assistant coach from 1954-1972.
He then served as head football coach from 1973-1984, winning four NOL titles
and compiling a record of 90 wins, 29 losses and a tie. In total, at SHS,
as both a head and assistant coach in football and track, he was part of 23
NOL championships. In 2001, Mr. Varble was inducted into Louisville, Kentucky,
Male High School’s Hall of Honor. On October 29, 2005, he was inducted
into Wittenberg’s Athletics Hall of Honor. Observes an alum, “Mr.
Varble combined competitiveness with compassion and set high standards for
expectations and performance that taught lasting lessons and helped hundreds
of youngsters prepare for adulthood.” He lives in Shelby.
(Return to top of list!)
Joe Yohn Gymnasium at SHS is named after Joseph Yohn who
was born in Shelby in 1901 and graduated from SHS in 1919. He then earned
bachelor’s and master’s degrees, studying at Kent State, Otterbein
and Ohio State. Throughout his long career as a teacher and coach, he was
devoted to helping students succeed both academically and athletically. He
taught general science, chemistry and civics. He also served SHS students
as athletic director and attendance officer. As a coach, he founded the school’s
golf program that won numerous Northern Ohio League titles and qualified for
state competitions. He also coached junior varsity football and served as
the football program’s equipment manager. After retiring from teaching
and coaching, Joe continued as scorer for football and basketball games –
a role he filled for 43 years. He died in 1992.
(Return to top of list!)
Robert Lafferty served Shelby as an educator for 28 years
-- as a teacher, principal, assistant principal and superintendent. Mr. Lafferty
graduated from Vermilion High School, earned his bachelor's degree from Baldwin-Wallace
and his master's from Ohio State. He completed additional graduate studies
at Ohio State and Bowling Green. After serving three years in the Army during
World War II and teaching three years at Lexington High School, Mr. Lafferty
came to Shelby where, from 1946-52, he taught math at SHS and served as senior
class advisor, organized the driver's education program and supervised the
school system's bus transportation. The Scarlet S was dedicated to him in
1957. Mr. Lafferty also wrote sports for the Shelby Daily Globe during his
years as a teacher. In 1952, he was named principal at Central Elementary,
serving in that role until 1962 when he was named Shelby's first assistant
superintendent. As such, he helped plan the present SHS building along with
additions to Auburn Elementary and the Junior High School. Mr. Lafferty became
superintendent in 1967, serving in that capacity until retiring in 1974. During
his tenure, the special education program was initiated. "His contributions
to Shelby went far beyond education," says one alum. "He was heavily
involved in church and civic affiliations as a member of the First United
Methodist Church where he served as chairman of the Administrative Board,
a long-time member of both the Shelby Rotary Club and the Shelby Masonic Temple."
He also was active in the planning and finances of the Shelby Y Community
Center and delivered Meals-On-Wheels to shut-ins. "During his retirement,"
adds an alum, "he continued to demonstrate his unselfishness. He volunteered
his time and efforts to the Pioneer Joint Vocational School Levy Committee.
This effort turned out to be his final contribution to education -- an apt
and fitting task that demonstrated his commitment to the Shelby community.
Robert Lafferty was a loving, caring family man whose life was characterized
by placing others first." He was born in 1917 and died in 1983.
(Return
to top of list!)
For a quarter century, Ray Vermilya helped numerous SHS students
find their voices -- their singing voices. From 1967-1972, Mr. Vermilya taught
vocal music and music theory. He earned his bachelor's and master's degrees
at Ohio State, and the 1974 Scarlet S was dedicated to him. "He changed
so many lives and helped so many kids, and, oh yes, he taught us to sing and
to love music," observes an alum. "Mr. V. put in countless hours
for many years with the Stardust talent show for junior high kids. Mr. V.
must have thought it was important to help kids learn to practice and to perform
in front of an audience. What memories I have! And now, working in a theater,
I thank Mr. V. for heading me in that direction. If it hadn't been for Stardust,
most kids would never know what it is like to perform in musical programs.
Thank you, Mr. V. You were loved by so many kids, and we still love you!"
(Return to top of list!)
"I love Shelby. I certainly love my kids." Those were the first
words spoken by Edith Huston when she took the microphone
at a class reunion in 2003. Born in 1918 in Belmont, Ohio, Mrs. Huston earned
a bachelor's degree at Baldwin-Wallace College. She began her teaching career
in Belmont in 1946 and then moved to Shiloh where she taught for 11 years.
Then former Shelby Schools Superintendent Byron Carmean (a 2005 Hall of Distinction
inductee) came calling and offered Mrs. Huston a position in Shelby. Over
the next 19 years, she taught English, first at Central Junior High and then
at SHS where she also taught Latin. In 1968, she began teaching Latin exclusively.
Always observant, she saw that many SHS students not involved in either sports
or music were finishing their high school years without having participated
in extracurricular activities. She decided to create a new one -- the Latin
Club. It quickly grew to 160 members -- the largest such club in Ohio. Club
members won several competitions, and in 1973 Latin students presented Mrs.
Huston with a trip to Rome. Says an alum, "Her broad smile, witty humor
and love for kids made her the single most influential teacher I had the pleasure
of knowing at SHS. Otherwise, I probably would not have taken four years of
Latin! A devout Christian, Mrs. Huston led by example, one that she was so
well known for and loved by her students. She made a wonderful impression
on me, so much so that I can recall things from my very first day in her class
as a freshman in 1974."
(Return to top of list!)
“Buenas dias, senores y senoritas. Como esta usted esta manana?”
Hundreds of SHS students heard those and other Spanish greetings from Wayne
Potts for 30 years. From 1951-81, Mr. Potts taught Spanish –
and English – at SHS. He was born in 1922 and graduated from Marshall
High School in Moundsville, West Virginia. During World War II, he served
as a Navy officer in the South Pacific. He earned bachelor’s and master’s
degrees and did post-graduate work at West Liberty State College, Bethany
College, Middlebury College, Harvard University and Ohio State. While at SHS,
he introduced the use of individual study carrels equipped with receivers
and microphones which enabled him to communicate individually with students.
His students feeling for Mr. Potts? In the spring of 1963, three of them learned
his birthday from SHS Principal J.E. McCullough and sprung a surprise “Vive
El Senor Potts!” birthday party for him in his classroom. Mr. Potts
reaction? He deemed it “cool.” Observes an alum, “Mr. Potts
was a paragon of patience and equanimity. He smiled frequently, laughed often
and made learning a joy. You sensed he was both teacher and friend.”
He passed away in 1996.
(Return to top of list!)
For 23 years at SHS and for five years before that at North Robinson, Richard
Broka introduced and instilled the love of architectural drawing,
woodworking and metalworking in two generations of SHS young men and women.
Observes one alum, "He made a real difference to kids often on the edge
who re-engaged and learned to apply themselves through involvement in real-world
skills. His particular specialty was having his students design and build
their own dreamhouse models. Several of these house models went on to be built
as real homes." Evidence of Mr. Broka's impact on students can be seen
in their plaudits. Adds another alum, "My wife asks me on a regular basis
why I draw things out the way I do in my construction business. I tell her
it's the way Mr. Broka taught me to do it as a sophomore in high school and
I've never found a better way." Mr. Broka was born in Sugar Ridge, Ohio
in 1929. As a young teenager during World War II, he took a job vacated by
men serving in the war and worked along side German POWs in a Heinz food processing
plant. He earned his bachelor's degree (1953) at Bowling Green and then his
master's there in industrial arts education. Later he did doctoral studies
at BG and Ohio State. During the Korean War, Mr. Broka first served as an
enlisted man in the Army Engineers Combat Batallion 4632. He later served
as a captain in the Air Force as an air traffic control officer at Condor
Air Force Base in Oregon. Mr. Broka also worked for many years as a machinist
at Ohio Seamless Tube. One alum, underscoring his legacy, has used his lessons
in building or rebuilding four homes and an office: "One of the text
books he used for instruction is a most valued and used resource in my personal
library." Mr. Broka lives in Shelby.
(Return to top of list!)
