XCSF Announces Hall of Honor Class of 2017
Congratulations are in order for the Xenia Community Schools Hall of Honor Class of 2017! Six new members will be inducted this year. The Nineteenth Annual Hall of Honor Induction Ceremony and Dinner is scheduled for Saturday, April 22, 2017, at 6:30 PM at Tecumseh Elementary School. The dinner will be preceded by the Third Annual Silent Auction for Grants beginning at 5:30 PM. Tickets are $35.00 each and are available at the Xenia Area Chamber of Commerce, located at 334 W. Market Street. Call: (937) 372-3591 for more information.
The Xenia Community Schools Foundation and this year’s Presenting Sponsor, Greene Memorial and Soin Hospitals, invite the community to celebrate the accomplishments of the 2017 Hall of Honor inductees: John E. Bowen, XHS Class of 1973; Douglas Kent Cope, XHS Class of 1984; R. Greggory Cross, XHS Class of 1967; Janet Kindred, XHS Class of 1971; Kathleen Seagraves McCormick, XHS Class of 1983 and William (Bill) “Schu” Schumacher, XHS Class of1974.
John E. Bowen, Successful Business Professional, Community Volunteer, Role Model attended Xenia Schools for eight years. His strong work ethic developed early in life. He was fourteen when he started working to help his family, which included seven children, while saving for college. He became the first and only person in his family to go to college. John attended Wilmington College and graduated with a degree in business in 1977. He has had a very successful career in the credit union industry and has served on the boards and/or supported programs of the Xenia YMCA, Xenia Kiwanis Club, Board for Greene County Domestic Violence and his church. He is a devoted family man who has set an example of dedication to education and a desire to give back to his community.
Douglas Kent Cope, Public Servant, Role Model, attended Xenia schools for thirteen years and retired as Captain of the Xenia Fire Division in 2015. He is a thirty year veteran of the fire service, having started his career in 1989 as a Firefighter/Paramedic. He has served in a number of different roles including the Miami Valley Technical Rescue Team as a Canine Search Specialist and as a Search and Rescue Team or Task Force Leader in various operations responding to large scale disaster incidents. These assignments include the 2000 Xenia Tornado, the 9/11 World Trade Center, the Space Shuttle Columbia Disaster, Hurricanes Isabel, Ivan, Katrina, Gustav, Hanna, Ike, Irene and Matthew and the Haiti Earthquake. He has received awards for his exemplary service and is a member of several professional organizations.
R. Greggory Cross, Educator, Coach, Community Volunteer, Role Model, attended Xenia schools for thirteen years and was the 1967 recipient of the prestigious Rocky Thomas Scholarship. He was a successful athlete and President of the National Honor Society. Gregg played football at Central State University and, later, was on the first varsity basketball team at Wright State University. He graduated from Wright State in 1972 with a degree in Sociology and, later, returned to earn his teaching certificate. He was a teacher in Beavercreek Schools for 35 years teaching Social Studies, World Government and Geography. He served as Beavercreek’s assistant and head football coach for 16 years. Gregg has been instrumental in raising funds for and promoting the Xenia Athletic Hall of Fame. He has served as Chairman of the Athletic Hall of Fame for four years. Gregg has given of his time on many committees in the Beavercreek Schools and received recognition from both Beavercreek schools and Wright State University.
Janet Kindred, Educator, Volunteer, Mentor, attended Xenia Schools for 13 years and returned to teach elementary school for 35 years. She has been a lifelong resident of Xenia and has dedicated herself to helping others in the Xenia Community. She has continued, after retirement, to volunteer for and to guide students, parents, teachers and schools. Janet was Salutatorian of the XHS Class of 1971. She received her Bachelor of Science in Education from Wright State University in 1974, and her Master’s in Education in 1980. She has served as a mentor for many teachers and volunteered her time on projects and numerous school district committees. These included the XCS Key Communicator Team and the Xenia School Workforce Diversity Committee and Plan. She has received multiple recognitions including: 2010 Ohio Lottery Teacher of the Month and the 2003 Western Ohio Education Association, Federal Children and Public Education Donor and Executive Club Award Winner. Janet continues to volunteer her time and displays a strong commitment to her family and her community.
Kathleen Seagraves McCormick, Ret.MSgt USAF, Role Model, attended Xenia Schools for 12 years. She excelled in track and basketball in high school. She was recruited to play basketball at Urbana College, and graduated in 1987, after four successful years of achieving academically and playing basketball, with a degree in Business Administration. Kathleen enlisted in the USAF in 1987 and served in various assignments areas, while progressing in rank, over the next twenty-four years until retirement in 2011. She received many awards and decorations, including: Meritorious Service Medal with Three Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal with Four Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Force Achievement Medal with One Oak Leaf Cluster, Iraq Campaign Medal with One Bronze Star and Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. She volunteered extensively while in the service and now resides back in Xenia.
William (Bill) “Schu” Schumacher, Band Director, Inspirational Educator, attended Xenia Schools for 13 years. Numerous former students nominated him for induction into the Xenia Community Schools Hall of Honor citing the high bar he set for the band and each individual player. He is described as “inspirational” and a teacher who displayed faith in his students even when they doubted themselves. Many former students keep in touch with him and value his ongoing friendship. Under Mr. Schumacher’s direction, the Xenia band scored “1” in Class A OMEA concert band contest for the first time and went on to be successful in numerous subsequent competitions. Bill was the recipient of the John Philip Sousa award in 1974.
