Elizabeth Forward High School’s new HoF class announced
Tickets are on sale for the Sept. 20 Hall of Fame induction banquet.
For the MVI
Nine honorees (six Hall of Fame, two Educator Recognition and one Outstanding Young Alumni) have been selected for recognition during the 28th annual Elizabeth Forward High School Hall of Fame weekend set for Sept. 19-20.
This two-day affair is sponsored by the Elizabeth Forward Alumni & Friends Association.
The Hall of Fame Induction Banquet is Sept. 20 at the Georgetown Centre in Pleasant Hills. For additional information and tickets, contact EFA&FA Treasurer Sadie Master at 724-864– 4121.
The EFHS Hall of Fame was established in 1997 to honor alumni who have made outstanding contributions in business, community service, education, government service, science or sports. The hall has 149 members who graduated from either Elizabeth or Elizabeth Forward High Schools.
Being inducted into the hall this year, from oldest to youngest, are:
• Orrie Rockwell Sr., to be inducted posthumously, Class of 1929. He was a business leader in Elizabeth for years through his association with the Rockwell Ford dealership, Laura’s Floral Shop and Rockwell’s Red Lion restaurant. He helped orchestrate the Elizabeth Forward jointure in the early 1950s while on the Elizabeth School Board.
He served the Elizabeth Forward schools for 50 years as a teacher, administrator and coach.
• James Hampton, Class of 1977. He retired in 2017 as deputy chief of the Uniformed Division of the U.S. Secret Service. During his 32-years of service, he held many positions and was awarded a Presidential Meritorious Service Award for his actions on Sept. 11. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy. He was an active volunteer for 30 years in the HEROES organization, which raises money to support law enforcement officers and firefighter killed in the line of duty.
• Kathy Cerminara, Class of 1979. She has distinguished herself as a scholar in the law field, earning post-graduate masters and doctorate degrees. As a law professor, she is recognized nationally as an expert in medical law in the areas of bioethics, elder law, health law, patients rights and the right to die. She co-authored a seminal text on the latter issue. She was a key contributor to a book in which leading legal scholars deliver an alternative history of health law by offering rewritten judicial opinions — from a feminist perspective – of major cases from the past.
• Dennis Howell, Class of 1993. He is the first EFHS alumnus to graduate from the U.S. Air Force Academy. He served in the Air Force for 25 years in multiple intelligence officer positions at various organizational levels. His final military post was as the commander of an intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance team of 1,100 airman conducting cryptologic missions. Upon retirement in 2022 at the rank of colonel, he joined Peraton, a national security and technology defense contractor supporting the U.S. military in intelligence matters.
• George Lewis II, Class of 1993. He has been recognized for his work with youth sports, particularly football. In 2015, the Elizabeth Forward Athletic Association honored him when it established the George Lewis Dedication Award, which is bestowed annually on an individual for their commitment, time and support to the organization. He is a co-founder of the Elizabeth Forward T.D. Club, which supports EF football in various ways. He also plays a key role in the annual Elizabeth Forward Warrior Golf Open, which raises money for multiple scholarships to students and for capital improvements to the high school football program.
• Mark Torgent Jr., Class of 1998. He started his plumbing career as an apprentice following high school graduation. He earned a master plumber designation while working for other plumbing companies. In 2009, he figured it was time for him to go on his own with the skills he had learned. Mark Torgent Mechanical, Inc. (MTMI) was formed to provide complete plumbing service to residential and commercial customers throughout western Pennsylvania. Today, this Elizabeth Township- based company takes on multi-million dollar contracts with a full-time workforce of over 50. His focus is on employee development, training the next generation of tradesmen.
Educator Recognition Award
The Educator Recognition Award was established in 2003 to honor dedicated educators, not necessarily alumni, for their positive contributions to the EF schools and its students.
Receiving the Educator Recognition awards are:
• Justin Korona is being recognized as an impactful and dedicated educator and also for the profound impact he has had on the young women he coaches on the highly successful high school girls’ golf team. He has taught math for the past 15 years at EFHS. Under his positive leadership, the girl golfers set a number of school records this season.
• Elaine Cray will be honored posthumously. She served the EF School District for 28 years, most of her time spent in the thirdgrade classroom at William Penn Elementary School. She was an incredible educator who made learning fun for her students. To her, every one of her students was special. She served the community and her church through various volunteer activities.
Outstanding Young Alumni Award
The Outstanding Young Alumni Awar4d was created in 2021 to acknowledge the outstanding achievement of individuals who distinguished themselves early in their professional careers and who have demonstrated the qualities of integrity and character. The recipient must have graded from EFHS less than 15 years ago.
This year’s recipient is Carly McCall, Class of 2016. Her early career achievements have positioned her as a promising young scientist in the field of marine biology. She has shown a profound commitment to the conservation of marine ecosystems and ecological research. She currently is a marine research specialist at North Carolina State University’s Center for Marine Science and Technology. A large part of her job involves mentoring students, hoping to inspire and empower them to take an active role in protecting marine environments.
