2012 RPS Hall of Fame inductees speak in classrooms, inspire students

This year’s Rockford Public School Hall of Fame inductees are pictured following the unveiling of their names permanently affixed on the granite monument in front of Rockford High School. The inductees are RPS graduates who have made lasting contributions to the district or gone on to great achievements in their careers.

“Why do I have to learn that?” Students across the Rockford school district got the answer to that question when 2012 Hall of Fame Inductees visited them in their classroom.

The Class of 2012 included: Bob Boyer, Vic Krause, Jacque Melin, Carol Muth, Matthew Turk, Cameron Blake Warne, and Ginger Zee (Zuidgeest). These seven individuals have excelled in their careers and contributed greatly to our schools and community.

Each prepared a 45-minute presentation for the classroom. Some of the inductees went to elementary schools, others to the middle schools, and some were at RHS.

This year the committee was able to offer a feed throughout the district making the presentations available if a teacher was not able to attend a presentation with their class. Also, at the high school, presentations were held in the auditorium so that more than one class could attend.

It is a goal of the Hall of Fame to connect students with the inductees. They are able to share information about their lives while at Rockford and what they have been doing since graduation. They help the students see the results of working hard at school and having dreams.

“Each of these inductees value education and they are able to pass that along to the students.” said Jill Ericksen, Hall of Fame Committee Chair. “Their stories and advice are so valuable.”

Inductees were introduced to the community at the Rams football game on Friday evening. A dinner was held to celebrate their induction on Saturday at the RHS Fine Arts Auditorium. The proceeds of the dinner benefit the Rockford Education Foundation, who partners with Rockford Public Schools to put on the Hall of Fame Weekend.

You can nominate a deserving individual for the Hall of Fame in 2014. Nominations are accepted at anytime. For more information or a nomination form go to www.rockfordschools.org/ref.