The Fleetwood Area School District and the FASD Foundation were very pleased to induct the inaugural class of Distinguished Alumni of Fleetwood Area High School on May 17.
The honorees were selected from 20 nominations. The honorees earned recognition through their outstanding service to our country, service to the Fleetwood community, service to or financial support of others in need, or through their outstanding contributions to their career.
Dr. Carl Constein, Class of 1938, was selected for his contribution to education and his service to our country. Dr. Constein started his career as an English teacher, and later became Superintendent of the Antietam and Wilson School Districts. He also wrote 400 weekly columns on education for the Reading Eagle in the late 50s and early 60s. He has published eight books, including ones on his experiences flying between China, Burma, and India, and four novels. Prior to his career in education, Dr. Constein served our country as a C-46 pilot and flew 96 supply missions for which he received two Air Medals and a Distinguished Flying Cross.
George Messersmith was selected for his service to our country. Messersmith served our country’s foreign service for 30 years. During that time, he was assigned to ten diplomatic posts on three continents between 1914 and 1947. During World War I, he cracked a secret German code that resulted in the identification and deportation of enemy agents. He served as the United States Counsel General in Berlin prior to World War II and was known for being a fearless foe of the Nazis. He was the Assistant Secretary of State under President Franklin Roosevelt. He was on the cover of the Dec. 2, 1946 issue of Time Magazine along with an article that detailed his many contributions to the United States’ foreign relations at the time. Messersmith began his career in education and at one point was a grade school principal.
Dr. Kenneth Miller, Class of 1943, was selected for his service to our community and for his philanthropy. Throughout Dr. Miller’s life, he has been dedicated to improving the quality of life for others. Dr. Miller led the education of community members to bring about acceptance of fluoridation of the Fleetwood water supply. He encouraged and supported other dentists to establish new practices in our community. He has also generously supported many philanthropic causes.
Eric Schaeffer, Class of 1980, was selected for his contributions to his career in the theater. Schaeffer is the Founder of the Signature Theater in Virginia. In 2002, he was selected as the Artistic Director of the Stephen Sondheim Celebration at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. Later, he directed Carol Burnett in Sondheim’s Putting it Together on Broadway. Over his 21 year history at the Signature Theater, he has led the theatre to 70 Helen Hayes Awards for outstanding excellence in the theater. He also received the Arts Founder Award in 2007. Schaeffer has directed many plays from New York to Las Vegas.
Florence Elizabeth Streich, Class of 1939, was selected for her service to humanity. Along with her husband, Streich joined the United Andean Indian Mission working in Ecuador in 1946. The mission is supported by the Presbyterian, Methodist and UCC Churches. During her 32 years of mission work with the Andean Indians, she established six schools, provided assistance with agricultural projects including obtaining and helping to teach the local Indians how to care for farm animals. She also helped to provide medical care through a small clinic, the only care available to the locals for many years. Both Betty and her husband devoted their lives to improve the lives of others.
Lillian Schlegel Walter, Class of 1926, was selected for her service to the Fleetwood community. Walter served the children of Fleetwood as an elementary teacher for 46 years. She was a founding member of the Women’s Club of Fleetwood and the Fleetwood Historical Society. Throughout her life, she donated hundreds of artifacts to the Historical Society.
It was a true honor to recognize these six outstanding men and women for their contributions. Each was honored with a plaque that is displayed on the wall opposite the high school auditorium entrance. Dr. Constein and Miller were able to attend; the others were represented by relatives.
Individuals wishing to make a nomination for next year may do so through the district’s web site at www.fleetwoodasd.k12.pa.us.
Correction: An error was previously published online. George Messersmith. He was not Time Magazine’s Man of the Year in 1946. He was on the cover of the December 2, 1946 issue of Time along with an article that detailed his many contributions to the United States’ foreign relations at the time. He was not, however, the Man of the Year.
