Xenia Community Schools Foundation Announces Hall of Honor Class of 2018

Congratulations are in order for the Xenia Community Schools Hall of Honor Class of 2018! Five new members will be honored this year. The Twentieth Annual Hall of Honor Induction Ceremony and Dinner is scheduled for Saturday, April 28, 2018, at 6:30 PM at Tecumseh Elementary School. The dinner will be preceded by the Fourth 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 2018 Hall of Honor inductees: Bradley T. Montgomery, XHS Class of 1976, Businessman, Community Leader and Volunteer, Role Model; Phyllis Ann Pennewitt, XHS Class of 1953, Mayor of Xenia, Accountant, Community Volunteer, Role Model; William Timothy Spradlin, XHS Class of 1978, Fire Chief, Public Safety, Combat Veteran; Brian Lawrence Stephan, XHS Class of 1996, Businessman, Community Leader and Volunteer, Role Model and Aleksandar Svager, Community Volunteer, Professor Emeritus.

 The Xenia Community Schools Foundation is dedicated to enriching the academic pursuits of all students, faculty and staff within the Xenia Community Schools. The Foundation has provided grants for classroom enrichment programs and scholarships from donations and investment income of the Foundation for more than thirty years.

 

Xenia Community Schools Foundation Announces Hall of Honor Class of 2018

Congratulations are in order for the Xenia Community Schools Hall of Honor Class of 2018! Five new members will be honored this year. The Twentieth Annual Hall of Honor Induction Ceremony and Dinner is scheduled for Saturday, April 28, 2018, at 6:30 PM at Tecumseh Elementary School. The dinner will be preceded by the Fourth 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 2018 Hall of Honor inductees: Bradley T. Montgomery, XHS Class of 1976, Businessman, Community Leader and Volunteer, Role Model; Phyllis Ann Pennewitt, XHS Class of 1953, Mayor of Xenia, Accountant, Community Volunteer, Role Model; William Timothy Spradlin, XHS Class of 1978, Fire Chief, Public Safety, Combat Veteran; Brian Lawrence Stephan, XHS Class of 1996, Businessman, Community Leader and Volunteer, Role Model and Aleksandar Svager, Community Volunteer, Professor Emeritus.

Brad Montgomery was born and raised in Xenia.  The 1976 graduate played basketball and golf for XHS and was named WOL honorable mention in basketball his Junior and Senior year. He ranked academically in the top 15% of his class of 550 students.  Brad graduated from Manchester University in 1980 with a Business major and was a 4 year letterman in golf. Brad has worked in the downtown Xenia family business since 1983 and is now President of Montgomery Insurance and Investments. Brad motivates and encourages his family, employees and fellow Xenia residents by example.  He regularly encourages his staff to volunteer in civic activities. Brad is a lifelong member of Faith Community United Methodist Church and has served in many leadership roles there. Brad is an advocate and supporter of the Xenia Community Schools and affiliated organizations.  He has served as Treasurer of the Xenia Community Schools levy campaigns for many consecutive years. His company has funded school programs and he has personally coached and volunteered. Brad has been engaged in civic groups such as the Xenia Area Chamber of Commerce, Xenia Rotary, Xenia Economic Growth Corporation, Xenia Adult Recreation and Services Center and supports many other local activities and organizations. Brad has been recognized multiple times for his support of his community. He has received the XACC SL Stephan Award, President’s Award, Kiwanis Guest Conductor winner, and received the 2014 XACC F.M. Torrence Award for lifelong service. His parents, Bob and Dorothy Montgomery, instilled in him the importance of hard work and giving back to the community. He continuously exhibits his support for the Schools, Xenia business community and his hometown.  Brad enjoys golf, canoeing, fishing, biking and everything outdoors.

Phyllis Pennewitt, a lifelong Xenia resident, attended Xenia High School, Wright State University and Antioch University, where she earned a Master’s Degree in Accounting. She retired in 1996 from the McGregor School of Antioch University as an accountant. Phyllis served her community on Xenia City Council from 2000-2005 and as Mayor of Xenia from 2006-2010. She has been described as “a loving, giving, energetic, positive, supporting, unselfish soul” who was an avid volunteer. Her volunteer activities were often in leadership roles, were wide ranging and included: X*ACT, Child Conservation League, Xenia Adult Recreation and Services Board, CASA, Greene County Historical League, BRACA, Board of Zoning Appeals, Xenia Area Chamber of Commerce, Golden Age Senior Citizens Board and the Mayor’s Association of Ohio. Phyllis was a member of the Faith Community United Methodist Church and served her church in many roles. Her 47 year marriage to Donald Pennewitt and devotion to her family served as a shining example for all. Phyllis was inducted into the Greene County Women’s Hall of Fame in 2015. Mrs. Pennewitt passed away on January 12, 2018. She will be remembered as a role model for current and future generations of Xenia students and the Xenia Community.

Tim Spradlin was a National Honor Society graduate of Xenia High School who later earned Associate Degrees in Fire Science Technology and Human Resource Management. He also earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Organizational Management at Wilberforce University and attended the Master’s Degree program in Pastoral Counseling at Ohio Christian University. He has over 35 years’ experience and numerous certifications related to firefighting, rescue, law enforcement and arson investigation. Tim was described as “one of those guys every firefighter wants to be”. He has served with Xenia City and Xenia Township Fire Departments plus the Greene County Sheriff’s Office and State Fire Marshal. He was instrumental in the response and recovery during the September 2000 F4 tornado that struck the Xenia area. Tim served with the US Air Force and Air Force Reserve for 30 total years. He served on active duty in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2002 and Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2007.  Tim was awarded the Bronze Star Medal by the US Army for combat meritorious service in Iraq. He has received numerous other military medals, awards and commendations. Since 2010 Tim has worked at Greene County Veteran Services and with Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2402 in Xenia. He operates a non-profit charity using his horses to provide equine therapy for veterans with PTSD.  Tim Spradlin is truly a patriot, a public servant and a wonderful role model for the youth in our community.

Brian Stephan excelled at Xenia High School where he earned 9 varsity letters in football, tennis, and swimming. He was Vice-President of Student Council and a National Honor Society Member. Brian received a scholarship to play football at Michigan State University where he graduated from in 2000 with a degree in Business Administration and Pre-Law.  He moved back to Xenia after graduation and started his Financial Planning career. He is Managing Partner of Stephan and Associates Wealth Management and a Certified Financial Planner. Brian exhibits selfless philanthropy, volunteerism and community leadership. He is the Past President of the Xenia Rotary Club and Xenia Rotary Foundation, past Chairman of the Board of the Xenia Area Chamber of Commerce, as well as the past Vice-President of the Greene County Council on Aging. He has been recognized with a number of community awards including: 2013 runner up for the Leukemia Lymphoma Society Man of the Year Award, the 2014 Chamber of Commerce Russ Remick Award and the 2015 Chamber of Commerce S. L. Stephan Award. He is active with the Adams Trust, the Xenia WEE Bucs Organization, Xenia Elite Basketball, Xenia YMCA and Xenia Community Schools Foundation. He is married to his wife, Stephanie, and has two sons, Gunnar and Gage. Brian is an exceptional role model of professional success and community support and involvement for current and future generations of Xenia students.

Aleksandar Svager is a dedicated community volunteer. He is also a mentor, teacher and philanthropist. He has made the Wilberforce/Xenia Community his home for more than forty years and has volunteered in the Xenia Community Schools for six years. As a Holocaust survivor, he regularly shares his experiences with students in the hope that learning from history will lead to an appreciation of all individuals. He also demonstrates service to the Xenia Community Schools through his leadership in the Optimist Club Oratorical and Essay Contest at Warner Middle School. Many of his students have found their participation in the essay contest to be a life changing experience. It gave them confidence to express their opinions and to engage in public speaking. Mr. Svager was a faculty member and Department of Physics chair at Central State University and continuously encouraged students to set high standards. He is proud of his work in developing African American physicists, many to the doctorate degree level. He has established a scholarship for female students in mathematics through the Dayton Foundation. His volunteer service to the Xenia Community Schools is truly valued and appreciated.

The Xenia Community Schools Foundation is dedicated to enriching the academic pursuits of all students, faculty and staff within the Xenia Community Schools. The Foundation has provided grants for classroom enrichment programs and scholarships from donations and investment income of the Foundation for more than thirty years.

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