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Newspaper Archive of
Shelton Mason County Journal
Shelton, Washington
May 9, 2024     Shelton Mason County Journal
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May 9, 2024
 
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Shelton District & Community Hall of Fam By Gordon Weeks gordon@masoncounty com Six people who inspired lo- cal youths in the classroom and on the playing field were inducted into the Shelton School District & Commu— nity Hall of Fame at a core— mony Tues fly in the Shelton High School Performing Arts Center. The inductees are Sheryal Balding, Brian Fairbrother, Mike Fox, Dann ‘ragnon, Leslie Orme and Dick Wentz. The hall recognizes stu— dents, alumni, faculty, staff, friends, benefactors and resi- dents who have contributed» to the success, tradition, in— tegrity, development and pro- motion of the district, and/or excelled in athletics, fine arts, academics and/or business. Each of the honorees was inducted with a speech deliv- ered by a student. Wentz worked for the Shelton School District for three decades starting in 1968. The history teacher was the longtime head wres- tling coach and also had stints as the assistant fresh- men football coach and ath- letic director. He created the Shelton Christmas Wrestling Tournament. “Mr. Wentz was not just a coach, teacher or staff mem— ber, he was and still is as some people call him an icon,” said student Madison McCla- nahan. “His character and in— tegrity were a shining exam- ple of what a coach, teacher and person should be.” Orme taught English at Shelton High School for years and chaired or co— chaired the department for 10 years. She also co—taught history with John Tarrant and coached volleyball. She died in 2021. “Mrs. ()rme was a trail- blazer in providing inclusion— ary learning before it became mainstream,” said Shelton High School junior Josephine Simmons. “She had a way to make every student learn at their own pace and at the level best suited for them be- cause she saw every student’s potential even when they didn’t see it in themselves.” Gagnon began his career in the district teaching sixth— grade students at Mountain Clockwise from top, Mike Fox, Sheryal Balding, Leslie Orme and Brian Fairbrother were among the six induct- ees to the Shelton School District Community Hall of Fame during an induction ceremony Tuesday evening at the Shelton High School Performing Arts Center. Journal photos by Shawna Whe/an View Elementary School in 1974, and then moved to Shel- ton Middle School and taught sixth—graders. Every year from 1974 to 2022, Gagnon coached at least one sport for Shelton High School, includ— ing varsity girls basketball, girls and boys tennis, varsity bowling, and middle school boys and girls basketball. “Dann’s contribution to keeping childhood sports alive within the Shelton School District will forever be appreciated and remem- bered by this community,” said student Gwenny Smith. “With the overview of 48 years of coaching, 38 years of Thursday, May 9, 2024 — Shelton-Mason County Journal Page 13 teaching, thousands of stu- dents taught, thousands of children coached and commu- nity members moved brings a legacy that will never be forgotten.” Fairbrother boys soccer program at the high school in 1981, and created the . the girls team in 1985. He coached for 27 years, includ— ing boys and girls soccer at Olympic Middle School. “He won four league title, coached for 27 years, but most importantly, he was the one to kick off the entire soc— cer program at Shelton,” said e inducts 6 Shelton High School senior Sophia Nakhla. “His leader— ship, compassion and desire to win have proven to be ex— ceptional qualities, all which were necessary to the success of his teams at the high school.” Fox spent 28 years with district, coaching track, girls volleyball, cross country and basketball. He‘s also known for his donations to the t ‘ack program. “Mike was a person who silently helped promote the sport,” said student Scott Jordan. “The hard work and dedication you’ve put toward the cmnmunity and the Shel- ton track program will not go unnoticed. Whether you are on the track you are truly an amazing person.” Balding‘s career with the district began in 1976 as a science teacher at Shelton High School. She then was hired as the assistant prin- cipal at Oakland Bay Ju- nior High School. She also coached track, “Under her guidance, stu- dents not only excelled on the field. but have also carried these invaluable lessons into every aspect of their lives,” said Shelton High School se— nior Filesi Ta‘usa. “But most importantly, Sheryal Balding embodies the‘spirit of service and dedication that lies at the heart of education.” Nominations are now be- ing accepted for the 2026 Hall of Fame induction. Nomina- tions can be submitted on» line or in writing on an offi— cial form, both available on the district’s website at sheltonschoolsorg, and upon request at the district office at 700 S. First St. in down— town Shelton. People cannot nominate themselves. Also, no active members of the Hall ofFame Selection Committee are eligible for nomination. Once nominated, a nomi- nee remains under consider- ation for three years. After three years, if a nominee is not selected, the nomination expires and the candidate is again eligible for another nomination. The induction ceremonies are hosted every two years. Nominations are due by Oct. 1 for the following year's inductions. EQ O: a: . '3‘: an, . 3343?; = M a! O. iiCII. I I O ‘0: : g : . i. ' “fixing” . on. g 33:0 5? s «tags» 5 i" :.::.~ 0. I :00: x 00!... .0 2. .: :... ‘27,. .z.‘= “"1’§“‘: -i 33.-.? H; '0 03:. i ..::: “J; ,3... . ;;_.."". a a; :: ::‘~ PROCESS. FOR QUESTIONS “LEASE CALL 360-1021-2737 g.:.-::§ "‘ PIONEER ELEMENTARY'S 2020-25 KINDERGARTEN ENRottMENT NOW OPEN! . cone snow . T0 sum ma ENROLLMENT e , ,, ». ‘ 951 W. IlllMIlclli lllllE IN T Vlllll EMS SIIEl NWBOGKJHIM .7 If fl um MflllllllY-FIIIIIAIAM-3PM Slate (onlr. Reg. No. NORTHRI033N0 of ,