Struthers educators to be inducted into HOF

Staff report

STRUTHERS

Philip Ginnetti and Pete Pirone Sr. will be inducted into Struthers schools' Hall of Fame Feb. 17 at a dinner featuring YSU President Jim Tressel as keynote speaker.

The event is given by Struthers School Foundation for Educational Excellence, which was established in 2000 to provide funds for extended educational activities not provided by the school district.

In the past two years, the foundation has awarded more than $21,500 to worthy grant applicants.

The dinner will take place at 6 p.m. at The Embassy on Youngstown-Poland Road.

“We’re looking forward to a great evening to celebrate the induction of two outstanding individuals who did so much for education in our Valley,” said Danny Thomas Jr., president of the Foundation.

Ginnetti was a 1969 graduate of Struthers High school. He has both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in elementary education from YSU, and received a doctorate from the University of Akron in 1989. Ginnetti began his career as a sixth-grade teacher in the Girard school system and later became principal of Lordstown Elementary School.

He also taught at YSU’s School of Education and served as dean of the Beeghly College of Education. Ginnetti also served as a trustee and former president of the Struthers School Foundation. He died June 29, 2012.

Pirone graduated from Struthers High School in 1962 and earned his bachelor’s degree in elementary education from YSU and his master’s degree in educational administration from Westminster College in New Wilmington, Pa.

Pirone taught at Struthers Elementary School on Fifth Street in 1972 before moving over to Sexton Street Elementary. He became the principal of Struthers High school in 1992, and retired from the district four years later.

Tickets for the Hall of Fame Dinner are $40 per person and can be bought at the Struthers Board of Education Office, 99 Euclid Ave., Becker’s Angel’s Pet Rest Crematory, 123 Poland Ave., or by calling Danny Thomas Jr. at 330-755-1891.