slideshow

Chase Smith

Staff Writer

The induction class of the first annual Pineville School Hall of Fame was recognized Saturday evening in the schools gymnasium.

According to the program given to all in attendance, in January of 2011 a group of interested alumni met to organize and form what is now the Pineville Schools’ Hall of Fame Inc.

Their intent was to develop a program that would recognize the outstanding achievements of men and women who have been associated with the Pineville school system.

They also wanted to document and celebrate the history of the school system and to provide examples of excellence for current and future generations of Pineville students.

The first induction class consists of 14 people selected from five different categories. The categories include legendary athletes (pre World War II), modern era athletes (post World War II), school professionals, distinguished alumni and honorary inductees.

The 2012 inductees for distinguished alumni were Ralph Gilbert and James O’ Roan. School professional inductees were Bill Adams and Effie Arnett.

Honorary inductees were Homer Rice and Dr. Jerry Woolum. Legendary athlete inductees were Thomas Red Harp and Dr. Edward S. Wilson Jr.

Modern era athlete inductees were David Asher, Chuck Bell, Eddie Bishop, Ledger Howard and Fred Roper. Orville Engle was selected as a school professional inductee and also as a legendary athlete.

The inductees were recognized on Friday night at the PHS football game. Saturday morning there was a golf tournament and luncheon afterwards.

Rev. Ron Howard did the invocation and benediction. After the banquet, a reception was held in the PHS gymnasium.

Dinner and drinks were sponsored by Pineville Community Hospital.

Chase Smith is a staff writer for the Middlesboro Daily News. She can be contacted at 606.248.1010 ext. 204. She can also be reached at ksmith@heartlandpublications.com.