GRAND ISLAND — The new Hall of Honor, born of a partnership between Grand Island Senior High and the Grand Island Public Schools Foundation, was unveiled during a ceremony on Tuesday, March 12.
The Hall of Honor, inaugurated in 1983, recognizes Grand Island Senior High School alumni who have made a significant and lasting contribution to the betterment of society.
“The collaboration between Grand Island Senior High (GISH) and the Grand Island Public Schools Foundation underscores a shared commitment to preserving the legacy of honoring distinguished Grand Island Senior High alumni to the Hall of Honor,” per the Grand Island Public Schools Foundation (GIPS Foundation).
The Hall of Honor also includes the 2024 Hall of Honor inductees, George Ayoub, Class of 1968; Thomas H. Meedel Ph.D., Class of 1967; and Steve Hornady, Class of 1968.
The Hall of Honor is located just inside the main doors of GISH and was unveiled before a crowd on Tuesday morning.
The Hall of Honor features a wall with plaques with the names and pictures of all of the Hall of Honor inductees. There is also a video kiosk that can be used to review the stories of all of the honorees.
Kari Hooker-Leep, Executive Director of the GIPS Foundation, said tens of thousands have walked through the GIPS doors and 74 of them have made the Hall of Honor.
Matt Fisher, GIPS Superintendent, said this is a significant way to recognize those who have been named to the Hall of Honor. He added that future students will have a chance to walk past the wall on a regular basis and to think about how they could be like those past honorees.
“Its important for your young people to think about,” Fisher said, “It’s a really important part of what we are recognizing today.”
Jeff Gilbertson, GISH Executive Principal, offered his congratulations to the new honorees and it was a testament to their life’s work.
“You made a dent in the universe,” Gilbertson said.
“For years to come the ripple effect will continue,” he said of the Hall of Honor and those who have been named to it, “Our students will learn about you and will try to model what you have done. We are so grateful for that.”
Cindy Wells, GISH Activities Director, also offered her congratulations to the new inductees. “We are proud to recognize you as a truly positive example for our students,” she said.
For every student and staff that walks past the wall containing the Hall of Honor, it will provide them an example for the future.
“Thank you for continuing to be the measurement of excellence for future generations, by leading lives rooted in our tradition of knowledge and service,” Wells said.
Thomas Meedel, one of the 2024 Hall of Honor inductees, said he was surprised when he got the message that he would be included.
Meedal is known for his research into the embryogenesis of the ascidian, Ciona intestinalis. Commonly called “sea-squirts”, ascidians are part of a group of invertebrates that are the closest living relatives of vertebrates.
When asked how often he reflects on his time at GISH, Meedel said he has done much more recently when he learned he would be included on the Hall of Honor.
“The thing I realize was that I was really formed by (the Grand Island schools) …whenever I talk to former classmates I think back, those were good times,” Meedal said.
George Ayoub, another 2024 inductee, said “This is truly an exceptional honor for me, that I am part of this august group.”
“George Ayoub filed nearly 5,000 columns, editorials and features in 21 years as a journalist for the Grand Island Independent. His columns also appeared in the Omaha World-Herald and Kearney Hub. His work has been recognized by the Nebraska Press Association and the Associated Press,” according to the Nebraska Examiner.
Ayoub said, looking at the Hall of Honor, that there are many distinguished people included.
When asked about thinking about his time in Grand Island, Ayoub also said he had been thinking about it more recently when he learned he would be included in the Hall of Honor.
Ayoub said he keeps up with what is going on through the schools through their newsletter.
When asked about a message for current and future students, Ayoub said that he always had the dream of being a storyteller and a writer, which he has achieved. He said today’s students can achieve anything if they put their mind to it.
