VHS Bluejay Hall of Fame nominees announced

The first class of the Villisca Bluejay Hall of Fame was announced at the VHS Commencement, Sunday, May 17, 2009. by the Villisca Alumni and Friends Association (VAFA) president, Jeff Focht, ’76. The nominees are:
Laurent Lee Gourley ‘62
 Patrick Jackson ‘86
Lynn King ‘26
Colleen Means Dempsey ‘69
Paula Means Lund ‘68
Roger Poston ‘59
Phil Wertman ‘67
 Gerald Ziehe ‘50

These people will be inducted in the first class of the Hall of Fame in a ceremony to be held during the summer’s all-class reunion. Subsequent classes will be inducted every four years in conjunction with the all-class reunion (2013, 2017 …).

          In his presentation of those selected to the VAFA board, George McVicker said that the criteria he used in evaluating the names submitted was “the footprint they left in Villisca, the heart they had for Villisca and the legacy they left.” The selection committee was George McVicker, Jake Grasmick and Mark Skahill.

          VHS family and friends were invited to nominate individuals with a written explanation of the outstanding achievements justifying the candidate’s possible induction. To be eligible a nominee must have graduated from VHS or served VHS prior to 1989. The achievements could be in - but not limited to - the field of sports, music, academics, or achievements following graduation. An emphasis was placed on alumni but former teachers, coaches, and supportive citizens of the Villisca School system were also considered. Biographies of the inductees may be found on the alumni page of www.villisca.com.
          VAFA’s mission is a commitment “to enhancing and supporting the educational (both academic and extra-curricular) facilities, programs and opportunities in the Villisca community.”

          In commenting on the introduction of the Bluejay Hall of Fame, former VAFA president James Robinson ’67 said “Students become alumni and what they do as alumni is to an extent a reflection of their school years. The VHS Bluejay Hall of Fame gives alumni an opportunity to remember some of those who made those school years stand out.”

          VAFA was created in 2006 following the successful 2005 All-Class Reunion. In recalling their memories at VHS and acknowledging the value of their educational experience, a group of alumni wanted to put an organization in place that would support and encourage the ongoing quality education at the Villisca Community Schools.