Charles G. Rhyan was known as "Chuck" during his days in the Sidney City Schools (SHS 1961). More recently he's been known as "Charlie." When it came time to choose a profession, he knew he wanted to coach basketball which would also entail being a teacher. Though his coaching & teaching didn't last all that long, they got him into the educational field where his level of achievement has propelled him into the Sidney City Schools Hall of Honor, whose 23rd induction is set for Friday April 15 at 7:30pm in the SHS auditorium. The annual event will be followed by a gymnasium reception, with both open to the public. Rhyan's 2016 classmates include fellow Sidney alums Rob Decker (1978), Marj Dunnavant (1954), and Kathy Lindsey (1967). This foursome will increase Hall membership to 119.
Education Advocate Joins Hall of Honor
Marjorie Blake graduated from Sidney High School in 1954 and was married two years later to classmate Tom Dunnavant. By 1963 their first child had entered kindergarten and Marj again became engaged with the Sidney City Schools in a new association that would span 40 years. The duration and quality of her service will result in her induction into the Sidney City Schools Hall of Honor in the SHS auditorium at 7:30pm on Friday April 15. A gymnasium reception will follow with both events open to the public. Joining Marj Dunnavant in the class of 2016 are fellow alums Rob Decker (1978), Kathy Lindsey (1967), and Charles G. Rhyan (1961). This foursome will grow the Hall to 119 members.
Roller Coaster Designer Joins Hall of Honor
The Sidney City Schools Hall of Honor is about to increase its membership to 119 with a 7:30pm induction in the Sidney High School Auditorium on Friday April 15 that will be followed by a gymnasium reception, both of which are fully open to the public. The Hall of Honor is a mixture of alumni, retired employees, and supporters of the school district. Many of the alumni have excelled outside of the Sidney area while others stayed local to make a difference at home. Rob Decker (SHS 1978) has been successful in the amusement park industry which obviously couldn't happen by remaining in Shelby County. On April 15 Rob will be joined by a trio of Sidney alumni in receiving the highest honor bestowed by the Sidney City Schools including Marj Dunnavant (1954), Kathy Lindsey (1967), and Charles G. Rhyan (1961).
Four to Join Sidney City Schools Hall of Honor in 2016
Four new inductees were elected to the Sidney City Schools Hall of Honor this week and will be enshrined on Friday evening April 15, 2016 in the Sidney High School auditorium. The public is invited to attend this 23rd annual event and the reception that follows in the adjacent gymnasium. The Hall will have 119 members with these additions.
Chairman Devon Beer (SHS 1983) offered an overview of the selections, "The Hall of Honor selection committee is pleased with the diversity and strength of the 2016 induction class. From societal outreach to amusement parks, these are four very different people who deserve this recognition. We are anxious for the Sidney schools community to learn about the great contributions these individuals have made in their vocations and home communities. These four emerged from a very strong field of candidates, many of whom could be elected in the future."
All 2016 inductees are Sidney High School graduates and all should be in Sidney for the festivities including interactions with current students on the day of the ceremony. Three reside locally and one is elsewhere in Ohio.
Rob Decker (SHS 1978) is an international leader in the amusement park industry as Senior Vice-President of Planning & Design with Cedar Fair. His specialty is roller coaster design complementing the theme and layout of the individual park.
Marjorie Dunnavant (SHS 1954) served the Sidney City Schools for over 40 years as a volunteer and board member. Her public service also included the Joint Vocational School, and orphan causes.
Kathryn Lindsey (SHS 1967) has spent her adult life providing positive options to victims of family circumstance and crime, most notably through New Choices where she is in her second tour as Executive Director.
Charles Rhyan (SHS 1961) had a distinguished career as a school administrator, most visibly as Anna's Superintendent. He still works in educational consulting, was an original Trustee of Edison State Community College, helped organize Shelby County Compassionate Care, and continues to serve on multiple boards of non-profit organizations.
Specific individual biographies of each recipient will be released in the spring as the April 15 induction approaches. "When we tell their full stories, we hope to make our community proud and to inspire current students, consistent with the Hall of Honor Mission Statement. Our selection committee is genuinely excited about this foursome," Chairman Beer concluded.