The Schuylkill Valley School District inducted seven alumni into their Hall of Fame at the second annual Pride of Schuylkill Valley Award Luncheon on Saturday, Oct. 4.
Guests gathered in the high school’s cafeteria around 11 a.m., where Committee Chairperson Dane Miller greeted everyone and thanked them for supporting the special event, with following remarks from School Board President Dr. Jay Melvin.
“The school, its teachers and its staff are so proud of all of you,” Melvin said of the inductees.
Lunch was served, and as guests finished eating, Superintendent Dr. Warren Mata prepared for the introduction of inductees.
“This event recognizes that we really do shape the future,” said Mata. “You [inductees] give us pause and remind us of the rich legacy of our school district.”
The first inductee was Dr. Steven Kreider. Dr. Kreider was recognized for his outstanding accomplishments as a professional football player for the Cincinnati Bengals from 1979 to 1986, with whom he played the 1982 Super Bowl XVI. Upon ending his football career, Dr. Kreider earned a partnership at Miller, Andersen and Sherrerd LLP and then worked for Morgan Stanley after he bought the company.
Kreider was unable to make the event. Mark Snyder spoke on his behalf.
“Steve had a dream, and he never gave up on that dream,” said Snyder. “He was coachable, intelligent, humble, mentally tough and passionate about football. When he got there, he never forgot how he got there.”
Although Dr. Kreider was unable to attend, he did ask Snyder to relay a few sentiments.
Dr. Kreider’s message said this: “Thank you, teachers and administrators, for teaching me the one lesson that has produced so much of my success: If we try our best, if we listen to criticism and try to get better, we surely will improve.”
Snyder’s speech was followed by the posthumous recognition of two inductees.
First was Otis Rothenbeger, a 45-year educator, in and out of the district, and a two-term Democratic Assemblyman in the PA House of Representatives.
Bill Wiley, Rothenberger’s grandson, spoke on his behalf, sharing stories and memories of their time together.
“My grandfather was passionate about his faith, his family, education and agriculture in this area,” said Wiley. “Although I do not remember much of him as an educator, I do remember the kind of person he was.”
Wiley accepted a plaque in Rothenberger’s honor.
Next to be honored, also posthumously, was Dr. Leo DeSantis, previous Superintendent for the district and a man who served the Schuylkill Valley education system for a long time.
Colonel F. David Yoder presented.
“The one person most responsible for all of this is Dr. Leo DeSantis,” said Yoder. “It was his vision, leadership, educational goals and objectives, as well as a plan for the highest quality facilities, that make us all proud to be a part of the Schuylkill Valley school system.”
Yoder accepted Dr. DeSantis’s plaque, and the program moved forward to honor the inductees present at the luncheon, beginning with Steven Schell, an educator, coach, advisor and director in the district for 42 years.
Crystal Cammauf, a former student turned colleague of Schell, presented him, followed by remarks from Schell.
“Schuylkill Valley has been my life for 42 years,” he said.
Schell thanked his wife and family for constantly supporting his goals and helping him reach success.
Mike Mitchell then presented Charles (Charlie) Gerhart, a teacher and educator, in and out of the district.
Gerhart accepted his award, attributing his success to his love for education.
“All of what we’re doing here comes back to that one word – passion,” said Gerhart. “If you do something you like, and you do it with passion, you will do it successfully.”
Guests nodded their heads in agreement as Gerhart ended his speech and cleared the podium for the next inductee.
Dr. Stephen Longenecker, presented by Dr. Justin Eisenhofer, is a specialist in orthopedic surgery who restores lives through treatment of arthritis and orthopedic injury.
“I cannot even begin to speak on how great his compassion is,” said Dr. Eisenhofer. “He is a very humble man.”
Upon accepting his plaque, Dr. Longenecker thanked Dr. Eisenhofer for his kind words and also attributed his success to his family for being understanding of the hard work he has had to do and their support through it all.
Last to be inducted, and presented by Michael Buterbaugh, was Dr. Jason Pennypacker. He has served his country as Director and Lead Interpreting Physician of Mammography/Women’s Imaging at the Naval Hospital in Bremerton, WA. He also served as Department Head of Radiology and Military Liaison at the Expeditionary Medical Facility in Kuwait.
Dr. Pennypacker recently moved closer to his Alma Mater and is an Interventional and Diagnostic Radiologist for Quantum Imagining and Therapeutic Associates.
“I am thankful to Schuylkill Valley and especially to my family for my success,” said Dr. Pennypacker. “I look forward to being more involved now that my family and I have moved back to the area.”
Dr. Pennypacker received his plaque, and Superintendent Dr. Mata closed the program with a few final words and a special thank you to the people who made each individual’s success possible.
“Thank you to the heroes behind our heroes – the families.”
The luncheon commenced with a round of applause, followed by congratulations, laughter and lots of photos.