7 alumni to be added to district hall of fame

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Among the honorees is a state representative.

EAST PALESTINE — East Palestine City School District Hall of Fame will induct seven alumni at a football game Friday and luncheon Saturday.

Tickets are available for $15 per person for the Saturday induction luncheon at the elementary school cafeteria.

Members will be introduced and announced by their presenters. Each member also will speak about their experiences both in and out of East Palestine.

The Saturday event will be preceded by an induction ceremony before the start of the Friday night football contest between East Palestine and Lisbon. The public is invited to participate in each day's events. Luncheon tickets are on sale at the board of education offices from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Tickets are limited and will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis.

The class of inductees is rich in diversity of accomplishments and contributions to the city, state, nation and world. The weekend will be a celebration of the unique impact the city has had all over the globe through these contributors.

7 to be honored

They are:

Diana Wudske, Class of 1950: Wudske's career was that of a flight attendant and supervisor for American Airlines. She distinguished herself as a humanitarian and heroine as a volunteer in Laos during the Vietnam War. She also exhibited courage in her handling of a hostage/hijacking situation on a 1981 flight diverted to Cuba.

Jeanne Riddle, Class of 1950: After leaving East Palestine, Riddle became an educator and trainer of medical students. She also has been a published writer and researcher in medical education. Much of her work has been at the prestigious Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit.

Harry D. Foster, Class of 1958: Before his retirement, Foster worked 36 years for Kaiser Refractories (later National Refractories). He was an instrumental leader of local agricultural organizations. The organization and growth of Grange and 4-H, as well as the youth work associated with them, are a large part of his life. He also has been a driving force to help provide alumni association scholarships for East Palestine graduates.

Dr. William D. Fullerton, Class of 1942: Dr. Fullerton began his post-high school life with service to his country during World War II in the Army Air Corps. Subsequently, he received his doctorate of dentistry from Ohio State University in 1953. His dental practice was a longtime fixture in the city until his retirement in 1985.

Linda S. Bolon, Class of 1966. Bolon has served in positions on city council and as school district treasurer and Columbiana County treasurer. She serves as Ohio state representative for the 1st District, which encompasses much of county.

John Herbert, Class of 1954: Herbert is a published writer of short stories and a master gun box maker. His more distinctive accomplishments, however, are in the field of wildlife ecology and conservation. He has worked nationally in the field, as well as having worked and lived on the continent of Africa, where he has contributed extensively to wildlife preservation and appreciation.

Roger A. Hart, Class of 1966: After leaving East Palestine, Hart began an education career as a junior high teacher in the Cleveland area. Subsequently he became a published author of many short stories, some of which are set in the East Palestine/Unity areas. His career has since led to work on staff at Minnesota State University and Ohio University, where he is on staff.

Sunday, September 16, 2007