School District to Create Alumni Hall of Fame

The Half Hollow Hills School District has a new class of graduates to add to its alumni list and among them could be future Hollywood actors, NFL and NBA players or Broadway stars.

After all, graduates such as karate kid-turned television star Ralph Macchio, director Greg Mottola who wrote “Superbad” and “Aventureland” and professional athletes Melvin Fowler and Stephen Bowen all got their starts at Half Hollow Hills.

So who else is worthy of fame?

Finding out is the job of the newly created Half Hollow Hills Alumni Association, the board of education announced at its last meeting. The association, which is one of two fresh initiatives, has a goal of reconnecting graduates with current classes, supporting students through internships and guidance and financially backing educational projects and scholarships. It is also tasked with nominating graduates to a district hall of fame.

The alumni group will be searching for individuals who have demonstrated an outstanding accomplishment within their chosen fields to be inducted into the Triple A Hall of Fame. The hall is intended to showcase the district’s emphasis on academics, athletics and the arts. It will be located in the
Categories for the hall of fame include scholars, athletes, teams, performers, artists and activists. There is also a category set aside for members of the Half Hollow Hills community, even if they are not former students such as coaches, teachers and administrators.

“It is a form of inspiration for current students to see what they can achieve,” Anne Marie Sorkin, outgoing president of the board of education, said. “We’re trying to create a Half Hollow Hills legacy.”

One way in which the project will bridge former students with current ones is that the hall of fame’s logo will be created by students in the schools’ marketing classes.

Nominations are open to all alumni and will be available on the alumni association website come October. Decisions will be made by a board of 13 advisers and a formal induction ceremony is expected to be made next March.