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.
Senior Vice President of Indiana Pacers Joins Hall of Honor
Todd Taylor (SHS 1990) was a key player on Sidney's 1989 state football "final four" squad who has enjoyed a very successful career in professional sports marketing and administration including his current Executive Vice-Presidency of the NBA's Indiana Pacers. He's also worked in Major League Baseball and the National Hockey League.
Vice President of Air Conditioning Engineering from Emerson Climate Technologies Joins Hall of Honor
Ken Monnier (SHS 1977) has become a prominent Sidney community leader as he ascended through the ranks at Copeland/Emerson over the past 30 years to become Vice-President of Air Conditioning Engineering. His civic leadership includes the arts, Wilson Memorial Hospital, and Holy Angels Catholic Church.
Innovator in Bus Transportation Joins Hall of Honor
The late Donald Manning (SHS 1933) was a national and international force in the bus transportation industry for some 60 years, first with C.D. Beck & Company in Sidney before joining Mack and then General Motors. The innovative engineer held over 30 patents including many that became industry standards.
Former National Commander of The Salvation Army Joins Hall of Honor
W. Todd Bassett was set to graduate with the class of 1957 when his parents were transferred during his senior year from Sidney to Cincinnati with the Salvation Army. Todd followed in their footsteps by working for the Salvation Army from 1963-2006, serving as both National Commander and C.E.O. of the entire organization. He retired to Maine where he remains a Salvation Army volunteer.
Four to Join Sidney City Schools Hall of Honor
Four new inductees were elected to the Sidney City Schools Hall of Honor this week and will be enshrined on Friday evening April 17, 2015 in the Sidney High School auditorium. The public is invited to attend this 22nd annual event and the reception that follows in the adjacent gymnasium. The Hall will have 115 members with these additions.