Three Featured in First Class of Lemont High School Alumni Hall of Fame

Lemont High School is celebrating its 125th Anniversary in 2015, and it will commemorate this milestone in a variety of ways throughout the year. One of the most special celebrations of the year is set for Saturday, March 7, when the first class of Lemont High School Alumni Hall of Fame inductees will be enshrined. The Hall of Fame honorees—Joe Forzley ‘45, Patricia (Dalman) Knight ‘64 and Al Meyer ‘67—will be recognized at the school’s annual Band Benefit Dinner Dance, which will be held at The Willowbrook Ballroom.

The Alumni Hall of Fame recognizes graduates who have made significant contributions to society and serve as role models to Lemont High School students. This recognition is the highest honor that can be given by Lemont High School to one of its alumni. The Alumni Hall of Fame helps foster school and community pride by recognizing the achievements of those individuals who have made Lemont High School an outstanding academic institution.

The 26th Annual Lemont High School Band Benefit Dinner Dance will feature the music of the school’s jazz bands, and will run from 6-11:30 p.m., with dinner being served at 7 p.m. The Alumni Hall of Fame honorees will be inducted at approximately 7:45 p.m. The dancing portion of the evening will begin at 8:30 p.m. and run through the rest of the night.

The evening also will include raffles for cash and prizes, with winners being announced later in the evening. The Willowbrook Ballroom is located at 8900 S. Archer Avenue in Willow Springs.

Reservations for the Band Benefit Dinner Dance are $55 per person, and include dinner, dancing and a cash bar. The deadline for reservations is Sunday, February 29. To order tickets, contact either Diane Waynick (tidimakr@yahoo.com) at (630) 257-5952 or Marilou Purpura (mdpurpura@juno.com) at (630) 257-8890, or download an order form from the school’s Web site.

All Alumni Hall of Fame honorees must be of good character, reflecting the qualities and ideals set forth by Lemont High School. Nominees are eligible for induction to the Lemont High School Alumni Hall of Fame 10 years after their graduation from the school.

Honorees are graduates who have achieved a high degree of success in their respective professional fields, committed a significant act of bravery or heroism, or dedicated their lives to community service. Honorees serve as role models for current students by demonstrating high ethical and moral standards - both as a student and an alumnus.

The Alumni Hall of Fame was spearheaded by the Lemont High School Alumni Association, which aims to foster a lifelong connection among alumni and to enhance the bond with their alma mater. The Alumni Hall of Fame is independent from the Lemont High School Athletic Hall of Fame, which was established in 2004. If they meet the selection criteria, Athletic Hall of Fame honorees are eligible for inclusion in the Alumni Hall of Fame as well.