Each year the Association honors selected alumni who have made
significant accomplishments in their fields of work and/or outstanding
contributions to the welfare of mankind. The names and biographical
sketches of those selected are announced each spring at school and
alumni public events in an issue of the newsletter. In addition, the
names of the honorees are inscribed on a plaque on Alumni Wall in the
foyer of the high school. Framed certificates containing biographical
information are also affixed to the wall. Honorees receive a framed
certificate.
Association
members are encouraged to participate in the nomination process through
recommending former BHS students who appear to have met the established
criteria. Click here for Who’s Who Application.
BHS ALUMNI WHO'S WHO
Arne C. Johnson, a
member of the Class of ’49, attended Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
and graduated with a degree in Civil Engineering. He was commissioned in
the U.S. Navy through the NROTC Program and devoted 26 years to the
Navy working on submarines and destroyers. His operational shipboard
experience included numerous deployments, exercises and sea tests.
During his naval service, he was early selected for promotion to the
grade of Commander and Captain and was award 4 Navy Commendation Medals,
2 Meritorious Service Medals and 2 Legions of Merit. Upon his
retirement from the Navy, Captain Johnson worked in developing advanced
combat systems at Sonalysts, Inc. as Executive Vice President and Chief
Operating Officer and is currently on its Board of Directors and
President of the Submarine Force Library and Museum Association in
Mystic, CT. Captain Johnson resides in Mystic, CT, is married to June
Gilbride Johnson (BHS Class of ’50) and has three children.
James Leonard is a
proud classmate of the Class of ’54. He went on to the Danbury State
Teachers College where he graduated with a degree in education. Jim
began his teaching career in his hometown of Bethel and later ‘moved’ on
to Ridgefield where he served as a Reading Teacher. Later he became the
principal of Branchville Elementary School for some 20 years. He was
devoted to his school and would do part-time maintenance to keep things
in top shape and please his staff. He has always been very patriotic and
made sure each classroom had a flag. He served on active duty in the
National Guard and was awarded several awards: Armed Services Reserve
Medal, Outstanding Unit Award, Eisenhower Trophy Award and Connecticut
Long Service Medal (10 years). He retired as Captain.
He returned to Ridgefield and became Assistant Superintendant for 3 years.
Jim was instrumental in developing the
BHS Alumni Association where he was the President for 7 years. He was a
strong leader, which was exemplified in the way he maintained
membership addresses, formed numerous committees, organized newsletter
mailings, ran meetings, and planned special events such as the
semi-annual picnics. His devotion to doing the right thing to help
others is second to none and his love of family, friends and Bethel is
unmatched.
Leonard ‘Link’ Hurgin
was a member of the Class of ’40. He served in the Army from 1943-1946
as an X-Ray Technician. He played minor league baseball in 1947 for the
Lawton Giants and the Fort Smith Giants (affiliates of the former N.Y.
Giants!) Link married Dorothy Jean Kelly and entered the U.S. Postal
Service in 1949, becoming the postmaster from 1969-1986. He had an
incredible ability to remember names, dates and details. He loved
life—his family, church, country and the Boston Red Sox. He served as a
trustee to St. Mary Church where he and Dorothy served as cemetery
administrators for 19 years. He belonged to many organizations, was
selected as Hibernian of the Year in 1988 and coached numerous youth
sports teams. Link always had a kind word and is fondly remembered by
everyone in his beloved hometown of Bethel.
John ‘Butch’ Rist
graduated from BHS in 1967 and went into education. Butch earned his MA
from New Hampshire College followed by an administrative degree from the
University of New Hampshire. He worked his way up the ladder. He was a
Marketing Instructor and coach, a Business Manager for a retirement
community, Director of TECH-NH, Apprenticeship Program Director,
Assistant director for Adult education to Principal of Central High
School in Manchester, New Hampshire. Butch has been in education for a
total of 37 years and has decided to retire this past year. During his
reign as principal, he has made a major impact to the educational system
at Central High School and the Manchester School District. He was
honored with a commendation from Governor John Lynch for decreasing the
dropout rate at Central High School in 2011, awarded Administrator of
the Year in 2009, and chosen to be NH Marketing Teacher of the Year in
1981. The graduating classes of ’81, ‘02 and ’11 at Central High School
dedicated their yearbooks to him. Butch was selected to the New
Hampshire State Board of Education in June 2011 and occasionally teaches
a graduate course at Southern New Hampshire University. He pushed
students to become involved in activities, the dropout rate declined and
test scores rose while student pride flourished.
Larry Chesto was
a graduate from the class of 1954. He went to the University of
Connecticut and Shippensburg University and furthered his education in
communications-electronics by attending various communication, guided
missile and radio frequency schools. He served in the United States Air
Force from 1956-1980, was awarded the USAF Meritorious Service Medal in
1980 and retired as a Major. He received various awards such as RTCA
President’s and Achievement Awards and the Federal Aviation Award. Larry
served as the U.S. Air Force representative to the Interdepartmental
Radio Advisory Committee (IRAC) and was responsible for IRAC’s approval
of all Air Force systems. He also established the electromagnetic
protection level for aviation use of GPS. Larry was employed as a
director of Telecommunications Systems and is presently an aviation consultant on satellite communications, navigation and spectrum management
Joan Crofut Weibel-Orlando—Joan
is a member of the Class of 1956. She graduated summa cum laude and
co-valedictorian from Western Connecticut State College and received her
Ph.D. in Anthropology from the University of California. She taught and
was tenured in the Anthropology Department at the University of South
California for more than 20 years. She worked in health clinics in the
American Indian Community and the Rape Crisis Intervention Program at
St. John’s Hospital in Santa Monica. Her love for music has given her
the opportunity to play for various symphonies. Joan has published more
than 50 articles, 2 books, and 4 scholarly texts and has produced a
number of teaching films. She and her husband, ‘Dr. Bob’, reside in
Newport Beach, California.
Donna Jurdy—A
BHS graduate in 1964, Donna went on to receive her B.A. from the
University of Rochester and her M.S. from SUNY at Buffalo and a Ph.D.
from the University of Michigan. Her major field is in Geophysics. She
is a professor in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences at
Northwestern University where she is currently researching tectonics of
Venus and the magnetic lineations on Mars. Donna has published 48
journal articles and is a co-editor of the book, ‘Plumes’
published by the Geological Society of America. She served on the
Illinois Board of Natural Resources and Conservation and received the
Distinguished Service Award from the Association for Women
Geoscientists. She and her husband live in Evanston, Illinois.
Robert J. Hennessey—Bob
graduated from BHS in 1959 and continued with his education at the
University Of Connecticut for his B.A. in Liberal Arts and M.A. for
Political Science. His employment with various pharmaceutical companies
proved successful as he achieved senior executive positions in the
pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. Bob’s generosity knows no
boundaries. He established and funded more than 150 scholarship awards
to BHS students. He also established and funded a new program to select
a B.H.S. 'Teacher of the Year'. The Hennessey Foundation has made
significant contributions to causes such as building a school in
Guatemala, Catholic Charities, the Mitochondrial Foundation, the
Salvation Army, Red Cross and the University of Connecticut. Bob has
four children and six grandchildren. He lives with his wife, Carol, in
Cheshire, CT and Naples, FL.
Allan Kellogg –
A member of the Class of 1962, Allan left school early to become a
Marine Corps member. During a fierce close-up battle with North
Vietnamese troops, Gunner Sergeant Kellogg threw himself on a live
grenade heaved by an enemy soldier. His heroic act saved the lives of
several members of his unit and resulted in severe multiple injuries to
himself. For his extraordinary valor, Allan received our nation’s
highest military award, The Medal of Honor. Today, following his
retirement as a Sergeant Major, he resides in Hawaii. He and his late
wife, Carol, raised seven children: Allan III, Aaron, Kristen, Maile,
Meagan, Rhonda and Tanya.
Gary Griswold – Following
his high school graduation in 1966 and a few months after enlisting in
the Marines, Gary, a Private First Class and an Assistant Machine
Gunner, made the ultimate sacrifice in a deadly battle between his
company and a North Vietnamese military unit. Although already wounded
by enemy fire, Gary, together with his squad leader and gunner engaged
in hand-to-hand combat with the assaulting enemy force inflicting
several casualties before he was mortally wounded by enemy fire. For his
inspiring courage he was awarded the Silver Star, the nation’s third
highest military honor.
Ralph Bartram
– Ralph, a member of the class of 1946 holds a PhD in Physics from New
York University. He served for several years as head of the Physics
Department at the University of Connnecticut, retiring in 1992. The
author of two books and countless journal articles dealing with science
and related research, Ralph is a U. S. Navy Veteran and resides in
Mansfield Center, CT.
Edward Emilia –
Ed, the father of six, graduated from BHS in 1955. He retired as an
officer in the U. S. Army in 1976, after spending much of his career in
the field of Nuclear Weapons Logistics Management. Among other military
awards he has received the Meritorious Service Medal and a Bronze Star.
After his military retirement Ed worked as a federal government civil
service employer for a number of years and was active in a number of
community organizations. Ed and his wife Jean reside in Lakewood,
Washington.
Sandra Vilardi Leheny
– A BHS graduate in 1956 Sandra went on to attend Albertus Magnus
College in New Haven where she earned a B.A. in English. Following a
number of years devoted primarily to raising her three children, Sandra
returned to college earning a J.D. from the University of Connecticut
School of Law. She served for several years as Assistant Corporation
Counsel for the City of Danbury prior to her appointment in 1990 as a
Connecticut Superior Court Judge. She and her husband Joe, a retired
public school administrator, live in Danbury.
Clarice Shanley Osiecki
– A number of years after her graduation from BHS in 1952, Clarice
earned a B.S. degree from Marymount College. Later she was awarded a
M.A. in History from Western Connecticut State University. She served
four terms as a member of the Connecticut House of Representatives
elected from the 108th District. For nearly twenty years she served as a
member and president of the Greater Danbury Chamber of Commerce and
authored several publications dealing with demographic profiles and
corporate programs. A mother of three adult children she continues to
reside in Danbury and remains active in a number of community projects.
John Cleary
– John, a member of the class of 1945, holds a Masters Degree and Sixth
Year Certificate. He is retired after many years of teaching in the
Stamford, CT public schools. Prior to his retirement John was Chairman
of the Mathematics Department at Stamford High School. A lifetime
resident of Bethel, John has spent countless hours serving on sports,
recreation and civic committees and commissions. The first Chairman of
Bethel’s Permanent Building Committee, John oversaw the construction of
six major public buildings. He also served for six years as Chairman of
the Bethel Police Commission. John, his wife Cecilia, and his five sons
are all graduates of Bethel High.
Robert Perdrizet
– A 1938 BHS graduate of the former high school on South Street, Bob
has had an outstandingly successful career in the field of business
after six years of distinguished service in the U.S. Navy during World
War II. As a Navy non-commissioned and commissioned officer he served in
both the European and Pacific Theaters. Later Bob was appointed
Principal of the Burnham School in Bridgewater, CT. After leaving the
education field he eventually became vice president of a major
corporation. Bob has five children and 22 grandchildren, several of whom
have achieved noteworthy achievements themselves.
Joseph Tarrant
– Joe’s lifetime achievements and service to our community, state and
country have been truly extraordinary. A graduate of Bethel High in
1946, he went on to the Teachers College of Connecticut (now Central
Connecticut State University). His high school and college years were
marked by outstanding success in athletics. Following college
graduation, Joe enlisted in the U. S. Army, graduating from Officer’s
Candidate School and Airborne School. He served for more than thirty
years in the Connecticut Army National Guard returning from state
service as a Brigadier General. His 30 years service in the Bethel
Schools included originating and directing the High School Career/Study
Program which became a model for our state. He has been a leader of the
American Legion at both local and state levels and served as Coordinator
of the Connecticut “Boys State” program. He has chaired the town’s
Senior Center Board of Directors and has participated on a number of
municipal committees. Joe has been honored by the Danbury Sports Old
Timer’s Association, The American Legion and the Fort Sill, Oklahoma
Hall of Fame. Joe and his wife Joan’s six children are all graduates of
Bethel High School.
Nomination & Selection Criteria
A nomination form must be completed for each nominee.
The nominations will be placed in categories according to field/expertise. (education, business, civil service, etc.)
The nomination should reflect the criteria established for the Wall of Fame.
All nominations not selected in a given year will be reviewed for the next two subsequent years.
Nominations must be resubmitted after three “Wall of Fame” selection reviews to remain active.
No more than two applicants are
selected each year and no more than four recipients will be honored at
the biennial alumni picnic.
Phase I:
• An independent selection committee will review each application.
• The selection committee will evaluate each application based on the nominee’s qualifications.
• If the nominee meets at least three of the criteria, the application will move on to Phase II.
Recipients will be selected based on the following criteria:
• A Bethel High School attendee and out of high school a minimum of 10 years.
• Community and civic involvement
• Achievement(s) while a student at BHS and/or outstanding service to the school district.
• Recognition for meritorious services provided or exemplary accomplishment.
• Affiliations (i.e. professional, community, religious, leadership positions)
• Other achievements which merit special consideration.
Phase II:
• The Selection Committee will review the nominations and determine the selectees.