Central Valley announces 2019 Hall of Fame class
Ilion Alumni Being Inducted
Central Valley Central School District will induct six Ilion and Mohawk alumni and faculty members into the district's Hall of Fame Luncheon. This is the third year for this ceremony. The public is invited to attend. This is your chance to participate in honoring these alumni and teachers. To reserve tickets, please contact the CVA office at 315-895-7471.
Where: - Francesca's Banquet Hall in Ilion
Date: - Saturday, March 9, 2019
Time: - 11 a.m.
Tickets: - $25 each available at the Jarvis Middle School and CVA offices
In addition to recognizing honorees at the luncheon, the district will permanently display a plaque honoring each person on the Hall of Fame wall at Central Valley Academy.
2019 Ilion Inductees....
Dr. Charles J. Diss IHS 1897
Distinguished Alumnus - Humanitarian/Community Service Achievement - Professional/Career Achievement
Graduated Ilion Academy – 1897; Long Island College Hospital
Honored by the Medical Society of New York State for 50 years in the medical profession
Active in the establishment of Ilion Hospital. Was first physician to treat patient in 1908
Major financial contributor to Ilion Central School. Diss Athletic complex named in his honor
Brian Lynch IHS 1980
Distinguished Alumnus - Professional/Career Achievement
Graduated Ilion Central School – 1980; St. John Fisher BS Management; Rochester Institute of Technology MBA
President of Carter's Inc., the largest branded marketer of baby and children's clothing in the United States
Vice President Strategy & Concept Development, Merchandise, Food and Imaging at Walt Disney World, Orlando, Florida
Director of Merchandising at Champion Products Inc.
Martin 'Monk' Manion IHS Teacher/Coach
Distinguished Educator - Teacher/Coach
Utica College of Syracuse University, SUNY Oneonta
Served US Army 11th Airborne Division during Korean Conflict
Ilion Central School – Social Studies Teacher from 1958 to 1997 – 38 years
A teacher and coach who bonded with his students and athletes
Former Mohawk Central School inductees for 2019 are:
Joseph Vespasiano 'Mr. V' - Distinguished Educator - Teacher
Bertram and Janelle Bookhout - Distinguished Educators - Teachers
2018 Ilion Inductees....
The second 2018 Alumni Hall of Fame Induction was held on Saturday, March 10, 2018 at Francesca's Banquet Hall in Ilion. The ceremony was attended by members of the Ilion Fire Department in honor of Burton Seymour. The highlight of the ceremony was when the district awarded Fireman Seymour his high school diploma posthumously. Burt Seymour left high school, before graduation, to serve in the armed forced during World War II.
2018 Induction Ceremony Video...
Burton T. Seymour IHS Alumnus
Distinguished Alumnus - Humanitarian/Community Service Achievement
Attended Ilion Central School; Served US Marine Corp in the Pacific Islands during WWII
Deputy Fire Chief for Village of Ilion and local businessman
Recognized at the NYS Fallen Firefighter Memorial in Albany for perishing in fire at Ilion Central School in 1963 at the age of 42
Central Valley Academy Auditorium is named in his honor
Roland J. Yardley IHS 1973
Distinguished Alumnus - Professional/Career Achievement
Graduated Ilion Central School – 1973; Bachelor of Arts in Human Resources Management, University of New Mexico
Retired US Navy Commander with 24 years of service
Senior International Defense Researcher at Rand Corporation
Authored many publications on strategies of military operations
Donald J. Brien 1987
Distinguished Alumnus - Professional/Career Achievement
Graduated Ilion Central School – 1987, United States Air Force Academy with Bachelor of Science Aeronautical Engineering
Retired Lieutenant Colonel United States Air Force – Deputy Commander 621st Contingency Operations Support Group with 28 years of service
US Air Pilot participating in Enduring Freedom, Southern Watch, Secure Tomorrow, and Iraqi Freedom Operations
Received the following recognitions: Meritorious Service, Aerial Achievement, Air Force Commendation, Joint Service Achievement, and Air Force Achievement
Former Mohawk Central School inductees for 2018 were:
Betty Couchman - Distinguished Educator/Coach
Douglas Grose - Professional/Career Achievement
Steven M. Roginski - Professional/Career Achievement
2017 Ilion Inaugural Inductees....
The first 2017 First Hall of Fame Induction was held on Saturday, March 11, 2017 at Francesca's Banquet Hall in Ilion.
Dr. James Anderson IHS 1936
Distinguished Alumnus - Humanitarian/Community Service Achievement
Graduate of Ilion Central School - 1936, University of Buffalo School of Dental Medicine
Conducted his dental practice in Ilion for over 30 years
Served as an Ilion BOE member, Chairman of HCCC Board, Board of the Cogar Foundation, Annunciation Church Parish Council and named to the Emeritus Board of Directors
Word War II Veteran and a POW
Donald J. Taylor IHS 1947
Distinguished Alumnus/Coach - School Supporter Humanitarian/Community Service Achievement
Graduate of Ilion Central School - 1947
Served in the United States Army 1951-1956
43 years dedicated in coaching CYO basketball at the Church of the Annunciation Catholic School. Their current gymnasium bears his name
Lifelong supporter of Ilion High School Sports Programs
Charles 'Boots' Day IHS 1965
Distinguished Alumnus - Athletic Achievement
Graduate of Ilion Central School - 1965
Three Sport Athlete in High School, Major League Baseball (1969-1974) for St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Cubs, and Montreal Expos
Baseball Scout, Instructor, and Minor League Manager for Detroit Tigers
1993 Inductee into Greater Utica Sports Hall of Fame
Rudyard Grayson Edick IHS 1983
Distinguished Alumnus - Professional/Career Achievement
Graduate of Ilion Central School - 1983, Syracuse University - 1987, Cornell University - 1997
Served 28 Years in the United States Air Force - Bio-Environmental Engineer
Senior Environmental Engineer for New York State
Received 19 distinguished service medals, awards and ribbons while serving in the Military
Brian Angelichio IHS 1992
Distinguished Alumnus - Athletic Achievement - Professional/Career Achievement
Graduate of Ilion Central School - 1991, St. Lawrence University - 1995, Ithaca College - 1997
Three Sport Athlete and All League Star in High School; Varsity Football and Baseball Athlete at St. Lawrence University
Division 3 football Coach at Ithaca College and Brockport State
Division 1 Football Coach at University of Pittsburg and Rutgers
NFL Coach for Tampa Bay Cleveland and Green Bay
Former Mohawk Central School inductees for 2017 were:
Richard C. Gerstenberg - Distinguished Alumnus - Professional/Career Achievement School Supporter
Gregory B. Jarvis - Distinguished Alumnus - Professional/Career Achievement
David M. Mills - Distinguished Alumnus - Athletic Achievement - Humanitarian/Community Service Achievement