At PV Homecoming, First Class Joins Hall Of Fame

COLLEGEVILLE PA – Nine people whom the Perkiomen Valley School District believes represent “a mix of outstanding accomplishments, ranging from Pulitzer Prizes to Rookie of the Year awards for collegiate and professional football,” are scheduled to be inducted tonight (Friday, Oct. 12, 2018) beginning at 5:30 p.m. into the district’s new Hall of Fame.

The Hall of Fame was established earlier this year to recognize those who the district said are “distinguished alumni or others whose outstanding athletic, professional, or civic endeavors have brought honor to Perkiomen Valley School District, and who serve to inspire future graduates to perform and serve in the same spirit.”

The inaugural class inductees (read more about each of them here) are a mix of alumni and former employees:

• Joanne (Kehs) Conte, PV alum and award-winning track and field athlete;
• Mary Fenstermacher, PV alum and champion field hockey coach;
• William Fretz, former champion PV football coach and athletic director;
• Dr. Franklin Manley, former PV teacher, coach and administrator;
• Bill Neill, PV alum and award-winning football player;
• Steven Rich, PV alum and award-winning journalist for the Washington Post;
• Dave Roberts, PV alum and award-winning swimmer;
• Jacqueline Trankle, former PV high school secretary and mentor; and
• Grant Wiley, PV alum and award-winning football player.

They are to be honored as part of the district’s weekend homecoming events. The evening is planned with a private ceremony beginning at 5:30 p.m. in the cafeteria lobby of the high school, 509 Gravel Pike, followed by unveiling of inductees’ plaques that will be displayed in the new Hall of Fame in the gym lobby.

Inductees will then be escorted to Thomas J. Keenan Stadium, where they will be introduced at 6:30 p.m. to the crowd assembled for the homecoming football game against Boyertown Area Senior High School.

For the inaugural class, nominees were selected based on suggestions made by Perkiomen Valley High School personnel. “The intent in the first year was to induct an impressive, large group of individuals to generate excitement and pride that will carry over into later years,” the district said.

In following years, community members will be invited to submit candidates for consideration. A selection committee is expected to choose future inductees based on specific criteria. Nominees likely will be individuals who:

• Displayed exemplary achievement in the areas of athletics, citizenship, community service, academic and/or professional achievements post-graduation;
• Earned recognition, honors, and awards following their graduation; and who
• Need not be Perkiomen Valley High School graduates. Grads to be considered must be out of high school for five or more years before consideration as a candidate.

The district said its foundation, and the Class of 2018, “were instrumental in providing funding to get the Hall of Fame off the ground.” Meetings to establish the Hall of Fame began during the 2017-18 school year.

Graphic from the district; photo from Google Images