WJHSD Celebrates Hall of Fame Class oF 2024 est Jefferson Hills
WEST JEFFERSON HILLS SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS
It was a fun , festive evening celebrating the Class of 2024 ’ s induction into the West Jefferson Hills School District Hall of Fame . A total of 24 individuals and two WPIAL and / or PIAA championship teams , the vast majority of whom are graduates of Thomas Jefferson High School , were inducted in the categories of Academics , Arts , Athletics or Teacher / Staff / Contributor .
A celebratory crowd of just over 300 filled the Georgetown Center on March 9 for the second annual Hall of Fame banquet , with inductees traveling from Turkey , Germany , California , Florida , Ohio , West Virginia and other locales outside of Western Pennsylvania to attend .
One inductee was selected to speak on behalf of the other inductees in their category . Dr . Amy Hosmer ’ 01 spoke on behalf of the Academics inductees , Scott Buckiso ’ 85 spoke for the Athletics inductees and long-time WJHSD second grade teacher Louise Biddle spoke for the Teacher / Staff / Contributors .
“ As a District , we are thrilled to honor those who graduated from the West Jefferson Hills School District ,” said Superintendent Dr . Janet Sardon ‘ 89 . “ We had a memorable inaugural Hall of Fame induction last year and are excited to welcome the members of the Class of 2024 . The honorees bring a diverse set of achievements , accomplishments and contributions that have made an impact locally and across the globe . They are role models and mentors for our students and strong representatives of who we are and who we want to be as a school district .”
The district re-launched its Hall of Fame program in the Fall of 2022 and inducted its initial classes of 2019-20 and 2022-23 in March of last year . TJ graduate Kelly Langenohl Dzanaj served as emcee . Thomas Jefferson graduates who have distinguished themselves in the areas of Academics , Arts or Athletics , as well as staff and community members , are eligible for induction , if they meet the established Hall of Fame criteria . Inductees from the initial three classes included former students , teachers , staff and community members who have made unique and lasting contributions to the district and the West Elizabeth , Jefferson Hills and Pleasant Hills communities .
Committees in each of the four areas - Academics , Arts , Athletics and Teacher / Staff / Contributor - considered the nominees and recommended selections for induction to the entire Hall of Fame Committee .
The nomination form for the WJHSD Hall of Fame Class of 2025 will be posted on the District ’ s website , www . wjhsd . net , and social media platforms , with nominations being accepted into this fall .
Hall of Fame Class – 2024
Academics Dr . Corey Bakalarski ‘ 98 Dr . Scott Brancolini ‘ 90 Dr . Amy Hosmer ‘ 01 Dr . Mary ( Schlitt ) Kostalos ‘ 62
( posthumous )
Ashley Kramer ‘ 01 Col . Walter Richter ‘ 87 Dr . Nicole L . Stout ‘ 90
Athletics 2007 TJHS Football team 2014 TJHS Softball team Pedro Bowman ‘ 81 David Branchen ‘ 87 Evan Browne ‘ 05 Scott Buckiso ‘ 85 Dan Crisp ‘ 73 Christopher Drager ‘ 07 Nikki ( Presto ) Feathers ‘ 06 Gary Gomolak ‘ 75 Chuck Mozingo ‘ 71 Mike Reilly ‘ 63 ( posthumous ) Grace ( Ninesling ) Whelan ‘ 11 Chase Winovich ‘ 14
Teacher-Staff- Contributor Louise Biddle John “ Hoppy ” Mitruski ‘ 69
( posthumous )
Joyce ( Hoak ) Schmidt ‘ 60
( posthumous )
Tom Sharkey Michael Thatcher ‘ 02
PHOTOS BY GEOFF BOND
40 WEST JEFFERSON HILLS