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WTHS Principal Ann Moore organized the ceremony that included a keynote address by Lt. Col. Barbara McCormick (U.S. Air Force retired), patriotic music by WTHS students Antonia Brunetti, Madelyn Yerkes, Ryan Murray and Marco Santos, and the playing of Taps by senior Evan Bittmann. Madden and Bollendorf presented each inductee or their designee with a citation recognizing their induction to the Hall of Honor. Attendees were then invited to tour the Hall of Honor where the photos are on permanent display.
“Paying respect and thanking, in an appropriate way, those kids who live in this community and who have gone on to serve our country is warranted,” Bollendorf said. “It is, without question, the hardest and noblest thing that anyone can do. We host this induction ceremony to make sure that our graduates know how grateful we are and how meaningful their service is to all of us in Washington Township, and I should say, in the United States of America.”
WTHS Welcomes 12 Graduates into School's Military Hall of Honor
In a celebration of service over self and in advance of the Memorial Day holiday, Washington Township High School administrators, local veterans and dignitaries, and members of the school’s Air Force Junior ROTC program joined Board of Education Vice President Bob Abbott, Superintendent of Schools Joe Bollendorf and State Senator Fred Madden in inducting a dozen WTHS graduates as new members in the school’s Military Hall of Honor on May 22nd.
WTHS Principal Ann Moore organized the ceremony that included a keynote address by Lt. Col. Barbara McCormick (U.S. Air Force retired), patriotic music by WTHS students Antonia Brunetti, Madelyn Yerkes, Ryan Murray and Marco Santos, and the playing of Taps by senior Evan Bittmann. Madden and Bollendorf presented each inductee or their designee with a citation recognizing their induction to the Hall of Honor. Attendees were then invited to tour the Hall of Honor where the photos are on permanent display.
“Paying respect and thanking, in an appropriate way, those kids who live in this community and who have gone on to serve our country is warranted,” Bollendorf said. “It is, without question, the hardest and noblest thing that anyone can do. We host this induction ceremony to make sure that our graduates know how grateful we are and how meaningful their service is to all of us in Washington Township, and I should say, in the United States of America.”
“On average, for every 1,000 high school graduates across our proud country, 10 will raise their hands and take the oath to protect our country on foreign soil,” Senator Madden said in addressing the inductees and their families. “That is what we honor here tonight. This is a proud culture, with a sense of military presence and pride in Washington Township, because our school leaders, teachers and students believe in saying that we will never forget your sacrifice or that of your families. We thank you for believing in America’s greatest ideals.”
The Washington Township High School Military Hall of Honor was established in the spring semester of 2004 to honor graduates who chose to serve their country as members of the United States Military Services. Located in the school’s 11/12 Building, inductees are listed by year of induction and in the order in which they were added to the Hall of Honor. The plaques are positioned in numerical order when entering D-Hall from A-Hall. The Class of 2017 inductees brings the Hall’s total number of honorees to 175.
WTHS Military Hall of Honor Inductees
Christopher Altamuro • U.S. Navy • Class of 2015
James M. Beck • U.S. Army • Class of 1968
Michael Ciavirella • U.S. Marine Corps • Class of 2009
Dylan Colclough • U.S. Marine Corps • Class of 2011
Matthew Grosmick • U.S. Army National Guard • Class of 2014
Walter J. Hartman, Jr. • U.S. Navy • Class of 2014
Donald King • U.S. Navy • Class of 1970
Russell Laraway • U.S. Marine Corps • Class of 1990
Devon Pendergrass • U.S. Army • Class of 2010
Eric Ruiz • U.S. Marine Corps • Class of 2014
Frank G. Tiesi • U.S. Air Force • Class of 1984
Matthew Wills • U.S. Army National Guard • Class of 2014
James M. Beck • U.S. Army • Class of 1968
Michael Ciavirella • U.S. Marine Corps • Class of 2009
Dylan Colclough • U.S. Marine Corps • Class of 2011
Matthew Grosmick • U.S. Army National Guard • Class of 2014
Walter J. Hartman, Jr. • U.S. Navy • Class of 2014
Donald King • U.S. Navy • Class of 1970
Russell Laraway • U.S. Marine Corps • Class of 1990
Devon Pendergrass • U.S. Army • Class of 2010
Eric Ruiz • U.S. Marine Corps • Class of 2014
Frank G. Tiesi • U.S. Air Force • Class of 1984
Matthew Wills • U.S. Army National Guard • Class of 2014