JEFFERSON HILLS, Pa.; January 31, 2024 – The third class of the West Jefferson Hills School District Hall of Fame will be inducted March 9 and the WJHSD community is invited to attend the festivities.
A total of 24 Thomas Jefferson High School graduates or district contributors and two athletic teams will be inducted into the Hall of Fame on Saturday, March 9 at Georgetown Centre in Pleasant Hills. The doors will open at 6 p.m. for the induction reception, with the banquet starting at approximately 6:45 p.m.
Public tickets for the banquet are $65 and can be reserved online through February 28 at:
bit.ly/48RSgqW. Members of the community also can register at the WJHSD Administration Building, which is adjacent to TJHS, at 830 Old Clairton Road, Jefferson Hills, weekdays from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Checks should be made payable to WJHSD.
Members of the community can also support the WJHSD Hall of Fame by providing a gift basket or gift card/certificate for the pre-banquet raffle, making a donation or placing an advertisement or message for an inductee in the banquet program. To donate or for more information on being a sponsor, please contact Heidi Karcher at: hkarcher@wjhsd.net. The deadline for program ads/messages and/or to be recognized as a supporter of the Hall of Fame is Friday, February 23.
The district re-launched its Hall of Fame program in 2022-23, after it was halted by the pandemic, and last year inducted 29 individuals and two teams.
Thomas Jefferson High School graduates who have distinguished themselves in the areas of Academics, Arts or Athletics, as well as teachers/staff and community members, are eligible for induction, if they meet the established Hall of Fame criteria. Nominees 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.
"As a District, we are thrilled to honor those who graduated from the West Jefferson Hills School District," said WJHSD Superintendent Dr. Janet Sardon. "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."
Sub-committees in each of the four areas - academics, arts and athletics, teacher-staff/contributors - considered the nominees and recommended selections for induction to the entire Hall of Fame Committee.
The members of the WJHSD Hall of Fame Class of 2024 are:
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 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
Charles Mozingo '71
Mike Reilly '63
Grace (Ninesling) Whelan '11
Chase Winovich '14
Teacher-Staff
Louise Biddle
John "Hoppy" Mitruski '69 (posthumous)
Joyce (Hoak) Schmidt '60 (posthumous)
Thomas Sharkey
Contributor
Michael Thatcher '02
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