7 plaques now on Liberty H.S. Wall of Fame
By Leonard Sparks;
Times Herald-Record; Pub.: 2:00 AM - 06/26/11
LIBERTY — Howard Schue rose to speak inside the lobby at Liberty High School Saturday morning, completing a circle, the path of which cut through the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, the Air Force and the CIA.
The retired engineer's voice broke as he spoke of being a 1959 graduate and one of seven inductees into the school district's inaugural Wall of Fame class.
"The gift you gave to me was really given to me 50 years ago," said Schue, 69. "I've been blessed by it ever since."
The Washington, D.C., resident's photo and accomplishments now join those of six others on a specially built wall opposite the high school's entrance.
The seven plaques were unveiled in front of about 70 family, friends and school officials before Saturday's graduation, the first in what will be a yearly ceremony honoring distinguished alumni, faculty and community residents.
"We'd love to fill that wall up," said Liberty schools Superintendent Mike Vanyo. "And if we fill that wall up, we'll build another one."
This year's class was chosen from among 16 nominees by a 15-person committee whose members included school officials, Liberty alumni and community residents.
Pioneering optometrist Irvin Borish, local attorney and town official LawenceStier and missionary Sister Patricia Ann Startup joined Schue as alumni inductees.
Cablevision founder and philanthropist Alan Gerry, former Liberty coach and Athletic Director Charles "Woody" Witherwax and former teacher and Vice Principal James Burke complete the class.
Retired physical education teacher Harry Rapenske nominated Witherwax, his one-time mentor and colleague who died in March 2010. The pair worked together from 1956 to 1976, and their relationship grew to include duck-hunting and fly-fishing trips, said Rapenske.
"He demanded respect and he got respect back," said Rapenske.
Saturday's ceremony marked the 12th anniversary of James Burke's death on June 25, 1999, said Margaret Burke, who nominated her husband and attended the ceremony with her daughter, Laurie Burke-Maier, her sons and several grandchildren.
Burke-Maier, who now teaches for the district, told how her father, who joined the district in 1953, bought lunches for hungry students. He also opened an account at now-closed Sullivan's Department Store for students who needed hats and gloves in the winter.
"He really, really did give his life to this school," said Margaret Burke.