7 to be inducted into East Palestine hall of fame

By Virginia Ross

The induction ceremony will take place Sept. 6 in the high school cafeteria.

EAST PALESTINE — School officials agreed early on not to limit induction into the East Palestine Hall of Fame to athletes or local high school graduates.

They set out to recognize anyone with ties to the area who has made a positive impact on the community, said East Palestine Schools Superintendent Tom Inchak.

“There are athletes and East Palestine graduates among the hall of fame members,” Inchak said. “But the recognition is also extended to other people who live here, have moved into the area or who have lived here at one time, people who have ties here. Those people who have dedicated themselves to making a difference in the community.”

The next induction ceremony will be at 11 a.m. Sept. 6 at the high school cafeteria and will include a luncheon. Tickets are $15 a person and are on sale at the board of education office.

There will also be a brief, on-field recognition of the inductees later in the day before the high school football game against Steubenville Catholic Central.

The hall of fame, established in 2001, honors individuals with long records of public and community service to the schools, humanitarian contributions, life achievements through careers and other aspects, and those who have contributed to the community in various ways.

Each year a committee made up of school officials and community members selects candidates. Between six and eight people are inducted annually. Photographic plaques of the members are displayed in the school lobby.

The inductees for 2008 are:

Robert Bycroft, who will be honored posthumously. The East Palestine native is being recognized for significant humanitarian and professional service, including his dedication to county residents with disabilities. The county school for students with mental retardation and developmental disabilities bears his name.

Karen S. Cohen, partner in the Youngstown-based accounting firm of Packer Thomas and the first woman to achieve that status in her firm. She is a 1976 graduate of East Palestine High School and was selected as the Athena International Woman of the Year for the Youngstown area for 2008. She and her family remain East Palestine residents.

Dr. Lori A. Crowl, who is on staff at Salem Community Hospital and is affiliated with Prima Health Care. She was salutatorian of the 1988 graduating class of East Palestine High School and completed her medical degree through the Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine and Pharmacy through Youngstown State University. After her medical residency in Youngstown, she has remained in Columbiana County to practice medicine.

Gerald Eller, who will be honored posthumously. A 15-year East Palestine Middle School principal as well as a history teacher and football and basketball coach for the school district, he guided many students despite his young death at age 52. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and attained degrees from Geneva and Westminster colleges.

Dan McKinstry, a longtime coach and developer of skilled players in several school sports as well as youth sports. He taught for 35 years in the city schools, having retired earlier this year, and continues to coach two girls high school sports.

Maj. Darrell Pugh, recipient of the Bronze Star Medal for actions during Operation Iraqi Freedom, in which he served as a trauma surgeon during two tours of duty there. The doctor of osteopathic medicine and 1990 East Palestine High School graduate studied at Kent State and Ohio universities and was featured on the NBC Nightly News documentary “Wounds of War” with Brian Williams. He has returned to the area and is on the staff of Salem Community Hospital.

Edson Rudge, who will be honored posthumously. He served the school district for 39 years as a teacher and administrator who impacted the lives of many students. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II and was valedictorian of the East Palestine High School graduating class in 1929 and a 1933 graduate of Geneva College.