Perkiomen S.D. inducts 9 into Hall of Fame
COLLEGEVILLE >> Perkiomen Valley School District inducted nine people into its brand-new Hall of Fame last week.
The inductees, with a mix of outstanding accomplishments ranging from Pulitzer Prizes to Rookie of the Year awards for collegiate and professional football, were inducted on Oct. 12, at Perkiomen Valley High School.
The inductees, who are a mix of alumni and former employees, were celebrated with a private reception and ceremony in the cafeteria lobby.
Inductees were announced one-by-one, and their achievements and contributions to the district were celebrated by those in attendance.
Following their introduction, the inductees and their families were invited to observe the unveiling of the new Hall of Fame, which is located in the high school’s gym lobby. Inductees were then escorted to the Thomas J. Keenan Stadium, where they were introduced to the crowd assembled for the Homecoming football game against Boyertown Area Senior High School.
The Hall of Fame was established this year in an effort to recognize distinguished alumni or others whose outstanding athletic, professional, or civic endeavors have brought honor to Perkiomen Valley School District, and who serve to inspire future graduates to perform and serve in the same spirit.
The inaugural class includes:
• Joanne (Kehs) Conte – PV alum and award-winning track/field athlete
• Mary Fenstermacher – PV alum and champion field hockey coach
• William Fretz – Former champion PV football coach and athletic director
• Dr. Franklin Manley – Former PV teacher, coach and administrator
• Bill Neill – PV alum and award-winning football player
• Steven Rich – PV alum and award-winning journalist for the Washington Post
• Dave Roberts – PV alum and award-winning swimmer
• Jacqueline Trankle – Former PV high school secretary and mentor
• Grant Wiley – PV alum and award-winning football player
More information about each individual is available on the district website.
For the inaugural class, nominees were selected based on suggestions brought forward by Perkiomen Valley High School personnel. The intent in the first year was to induct an impressive, large group of individuals to generate excitement and pride that will carry over into later years.
In following years, the community will be invited to submit candidates for consideration, and a Selection Committee will choose future inductees based on the following criteria:
• The nominee has displayed exemplary achievement in the areas of athletics, citizenship, community service, academic and/or professional achievements post-graduation.
• The nominee has earned recognition, honors, and awards post-graduation.
• Nominees do not have to be Perkiomen Valley High School graduates, but if they are, they must be out of high school for five (5) years or more before consideration as a candidate for induction into the Hall of Fame.
The PVSD Foundation and the Class of 2018 were instrumental in providing the funding to get the Hall of Fame off the ground. Meetings began in the 2017-18 school year to establish the district’s first Hall of Fame, which will be located in the lobby outside the Perkiomen Valley High School gym for years to come.