Ex-Eagle, Actor Recall Pennsbury High Times At Hall Of Fame Ceremony

FALLSINGTON, PA —They left as graduates back in the day. But they returned as heroes Thursday as the first inductees of Pennsbury High School's Hall of Fame.

The Pennsbury School District welcomed five alums back to the district for its first-ever Hall of Fame induction ceremony with an evening reception that followed at Makefield Highlands Golf Club to celebrate the honorees alongside family, friends, and Pennsbury staff.

The junior and senior classes packed into the auditorium at Pennsbury High School East to hear from Robert Costa (Class of 2004,) Hallie Jackson (Class of 2002,) actor Richard Kind (Class of 1974,) Mark Shelhamer (Class of 1977,) and former Philadelphia Eagles player Troy Vincent (Class of 1988.) The rest of the student body watched the ceremony via live-stream from their classrooms.

"I am a true product of the Pennsbury School District," said Troy Vincent, Executive Vice President of Football Operations at the NFL and a former Philadelphia Eagle and NFL player. "I am a product of the values of the people that saw something in me that I didn't see in myself."

The former Philadelphia Eagle credits former Pennsbury Falcons Football coach Jim Dundala with changing his life. Vincent said Dundala suggested he try out for the football team despite Vincent's objections that he didn't play football.

"Coach Dundala encouraged me to try out and said he felt I could help the team. Being a Falcon helped shape my life. It allowed me to be a leader, a father, and a grandfather."

Vincent said he had a 2.44-grade point average and didn't know how he would make it, but he did.

"Pennsbury is a special community. You don't necessarily see that when you are 16, 17, or 18. You will pull from the things you learn here throughout your life. It's a special time, a special moment. Embrace it. Thanks to the dedication of my teachers. I wouldn't be here today if it weren't for those individuals."

Student ambassadors Amanda Qu, Will Livington, Gabby Bamberski, Chris Vergantino, Addison Blumberg, Jason Kind, Lorelei Graffius, Ahtesham Alvi, Lily Erdogan, and Gavin Kuebler were assigned to escort the inductees during their visit and introduce them during the ceremony.

Each honoree took to the stage and spoke about their time at Pennsbury, reflecting on their teachers and community and sharing messages of encouragement and inspiration.

Actor Richard Kind marveled about his time at Pennsbury and encouraged students to take the time to get to know their teachers and the community around them.

"Live life to the fullest. It's a wonderful place to be. I am who I am because of Pennsbury High School. I had a great education, and an education doesn't just come from books. There are almost 3,000 people here in one community. How many of them are different than you? Get to know them. See what the world is like because it's full of fascinating people and, if you're lucky, fascinating experiences. "Get to know people, get to know life, get to know the world. Get involved in activities and clubs. Go! It's better than your phone. I think."

The Pennsbury High School Hall of Fame was created to honor those graduates who have demonstrated excellence in their chosen careers.

The Pennsbury High School Hall of Fame wall, located in the main office lobby at Pennsbury High School West, has been constructed to honor the inductees.

Wooden plaques with black brass plates adorn the wall identifying each inductee, their year of graduation, and their accomplishments.

Each year a new plaque will be added to recognize five additional Pennsbury High School graduates. Inductees must have graduated at least ten years ago to be considered for this honor.

Robert Costa, Chief Election & Campaign Correspondent for CBS News, said his connection to Pennsbury remains solid, and he frequently returns to give back to the students and community that helped shape him.

"This group is a representation of what you can do if you go to Pennsbury High School," Costa offered. "When I went to Notre Dame, which is a great college, I really recognized the power of a Pennsbury education. I was surprised to see how many people didn't seem ready for college. They didn't seem socially with it. They didn't seem to have the kind of sixth sense you get here at Pennsbury."

Hallie Jackson, Senior Washington Correspondent for NBC News, was unable to attend the ceremony due to work obligations, but she recorded a video for the students about her experience at Pennsbury.

"I had some really big fails in high school. I learned in hindsight that it was fine to be weird. High school felt kind of miserable to me sometimes, but I think that's just how high school is sometimes," she said.

NASA scientist Mark Shelhamer was focused on math and science when he attended Pennsbury, but he was also heavily involved in music.

After graduation, he earned a bachelor's and master's degree in electrical engineering and a doctorate in biomedical engineering. He reflected that overall, he spent 24 years in school and had many different teachers, but one, in particular, impacted him.

"I've seen a lot of professors, and there is one that still shows up in my dreams, Gene Pulaski," said Shelhamer about the teacher who headed the music program when Shelhamer attended.

Shelhammer credits Pennsbury for preparing him academically for college but said his band experience helped shape him.

"That feeling of knowing that you're good at something and that nagging feeling you know when you didn't do as good as you could have. Those stay with you and help you no matter what field you are in."