Tulpehocken Area School District inducted three new members to its Hall of Fame during the Hall of Fame Recognition Dinner on Tuesday, Sept. 30 at the Junior/Senior High School.
The three inductees in attendance were Michael Balthaser, D.M.D., Stephen Sands and Timothy Snyder.
Also in attendance were six board members and all but one member of the district’s administration team.
The evening kicked off with a performance by the Tulpehocken High School Show Choir, which was followed by a welcoming speech by Dr. Edward J. Albert, superintendent.
“We never know how we touch lives,” said Dr. Albert as he spoke about the night’s purpose of recognizing three outstanding alumni.
Michael Leister delivered a heartfelt invocation that was followed with a dinner prepared by the cafeteria staff. Guests chatted and caught up with one another over the meal, and after most of the tables were finished, the introduction of inductees began.
The first inductee to be presented his plaque was Michael B. Balthaser, D.M.D.
Dr. Balthaser graduated from Tulpehocken in 1996 and ultimately ended up at Temple University’s School of Dentistry, where he received his D.M.D. degree in May 2005, graduating Summa Cum Laude.
Dr. Balthaser is successful at Dental Arts of Wyomissing, his private practice, being named as the Best Dentist in Berks by Berks County Living, as well as one of the Best Dentist’s Under 40 by Edge Magazine.
As Dr. Balthaser received his plaque, he shared with the guests of the dinner how he viewed his success.
“My family and I love to visit Walt Disney World,” he said. “All over the parks, you’ll see the quote, ‘I only hope that we don’t lose sight of one thing: that it all started with a mouse.’ I would also try not to lose sight of one thing: that my story, and my successes, all started at Tulpehocken.”
Dr. Balthaser continued, recalling memories of Tulpehocken and thanking his greatest supporter, his wife, and all the others for helping him in his journey.
“The greatest thing about this ceremony is the recognition that if you are from a small, rural town, you can still become anything you want,” he said in closing.
The next to be inducted was Stephen Sands, a GRAMMY-nominated “crystalline tenor” who has been praised for his outstanding accomplishments as a musician and conductor, which include singing backup for the Rolling Stones.
Sands is also a music educator and has taught music to thousands of students between three and 12 years old. He is the founder and Artistic Director of Music in the Somerset Hills as well as the Somerset Hills Community Chorus.
Upon receiving his plaque, Sands asked a thought-provoking question to the guests.
“What is success, and how do we define it?”
Sands went on to describe great figures such as Steve Jobs, Mother Theresa and Derek Jeter, all considered successful for specific accomplishments.
“What do all these people have in common?” he asked. “The positive impact they have had on other people’s lives. For me, it is utilizing the power of music. “
As he closed, Sands urged the audience to use whatever skills they have been given to have a positive impact on those around them, and to believe in their own potential.
“People who succeed have been failing for years,” he said.
Last to be inducted was Timothy Snyder, who was introduced by his best high school friend Bill Palmer, a member of the district’s Board of Directors.
Snyder graduated from Tulpehocken in 1984 as a run-of-the-mill farm boy who loved setting off bottle rockets. His interest in rockets and combustion grew as he went on to earn his Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering from Penn State.
Snyder is currently the manager of the Pratt & Whitney combustor aero thermal and Cases & Frames heat transfer teams. He has aided in developing the F-35 and F-22 military aircraft, as well as low emissions combustors for commercial and other military aircraft.
Snyder has been an active member of the Combustion, Emissions and Fuels committee within the ASME International Gas Turbine Combustion Institute for 21 years and has served as Chairman of the Committee and Technical Program Chair for the IGTI conference in Vancouver.
Snyder accepted his plaque graciously, sharing memories of his time at Tulpehocken, the lessons learned from his friendship with Bill Palmer and his greatest moments of accomplishment.
“The best feeling was watching the F-35 go to max power,” he said. “Also, for the first time, the F-22 was called into action. I can proudly say that I worked on the F-22, and that plane is taking our soldiers into harm’s way. It will keep them safe.”
Snyder finished by humbly attributing all his accomplishments to his faith and those who have supported him.
“My vision started at Tulpehocken, and now I look at life more like a marathon,” he shared. “I am focused on the finish line.”
After the three inductees received their plaques, Dr. Albert made some closing remarks, giving sincere thanks to all those who attended.
