Fifth Annual JHS Hall of Fame Ceremony will Honor Four Graduates
The fifth annual JHS Hall of Fame Ceremony will take place at 7 p.m., Saturday, October 6, 2007 in the Johnstown High School auditorium. This year’s event, which is open to the public, will recognize the professional and civic accomplishments of JHS graduates Paul T. Valachovic, Hon. Carrol S. Walsh, Jr., Peter S. Wilson, Sr., and John P. (Jack) Siedlecki, Jr.

Hon. Carrol S. Walsh, Jr. graduated from JHS in 1938 and served in the U.S. Army from 1942–1945, seeing combat in the European Theater. A 1946 graduate of Albany Law School, he practiced law locally until 1968, then served as Fulton County Court Judge and Surrogate until 1977 and as a Supreme Court Justice in the Fourth Judicial District until his retirement in 1990. He participates in numerous fraternal organizations.
 

Paul T. Valachovic graduated from JHS in 1939. As a First Lt. with the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II, he served as a bombardier navigator in a B-24. Retired from the telephone company after 47 years of employment, he is active in veterans’ groups, assists with the planning of, and marches in, local parades honoring servicemen, and can often be found at Johnstown School District events, providing encouragement to students.

Peter S. Wilson, Sr. (dec.) graduated from JHS in 1950 and enlisted in the U.S. Army from 1950-1953. He served as Mayor of the City of Johnstown from 1963-1975 and as Clerk for the Fulton County Board of Supervisors from 1975-1991. Mr. Wilson assisted in the creation of Sir William Johnson Memorial Park, J.A.V.A.C. and the Senior Citizens’ Club, together with many other community projects.
 

John P. (Jack) Siedlecki, Jr., graduated from JHS in 1969 and earned a B.A. in history from Union College. In 1976 he began a football-coaching career as an assistant at the University of Albany. He has been the head football coach at Yale University for the last 10 years, leading the Bulldogs to Ivy League championships in 1999 and 2006. He has donated his time as a guest speaker in Johnstown on several occasions, promoting teamwork, responsibility, commitment and community.
 

If you would like to nominate a Johnstown High School graduate for consideration in 2008, please download a Nominating Form or contact the district clerk at 762-4611 to request one.

The Purpose of the Hall of Fame
The purpose of the Hall of Fame is to recognize and honor Johnstown High School graduates who have distinguished themselves in their profession, humanitarian or civil affairs, or activities that merit special recognition. 

An eight member selection committee, which includes a cross-section of Board of Education members, District administrators, District staff, and community representatives, chooses inductees based on their peer recognition; their contributions to their profession, science, arts, government, education, athletics, their service to community and their appeal as role models. 

Formal induction to the Hall of Fame occurs annually in a Recognition Ceremony hosted by the District. Engraved plaques containing an etched photograph and brief biography of the honoree are permanently displayed in the high school. 

Nominees must have graduated from Johnstown High School at least ten years prior to being nominated.

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The History of the Hall of Fame
The recommendation to establish the JHS Hall of Fame was presented to the Board of Education by Richard McGuire on July 31, 2002 and unanimously approved by resolution of the Board of Education on November 20, 2002. Click on the honoree names below for a profile.

The First Annual Induction Ceremony was held in 2003. 
Three Honorees were selected as follows:
John Dennison Knipple, JHS Class of 1939
Arlene M. Sitterly, JHS Class of 1941
William M. Pollak, JHS Class of 1953

The Second Annual Induction Ceremony was held on November 10, 2004. 
Two Honorees were selected as follows:
Harry E. "Bud" Fear, JHS Class of 1944
Donald R. Ruch, DMD, JHS Class of 1974

The Third Annual Induction Ceremony was held on October 16, 2005. 
Seven Honorees were selected as follows:
Elizabeth Cady Stanton
Frederick Vosburgh
Stanley A. Bown
Eric L. Steenburgh
Frank Steenburgh
Karl F. Steenburgh
William A. Steenburgh

Four Named to 2006 Class of the Hall of Fame
Four graduates of Johnstown High School were elected to the 2006 Class of the Hall of Fame. Major General Daniel Doubleday, Richard McGuire, Barbara McMartin and G. Wallace Hart were the individuals that were honored. (Click here for full article)

Seven Named to 2005 Class of the Hall of Fame
Seven graduates of Johnstown High School have been elected to the 2005 Class of the Hall of Fame. Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Frederick Vosburgh, Stanley A. Bown, Eric L. Steenburgh, Frank Steenburgh, Karl F. Steenburgh and William A. Steenburgh are the individuals that were honored. (Click here for full article)

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