by Travis Felts

FRANKLIN
Congratulations to the Franklin Community Wall of Excellence Class of 2018. After careful consideration of the impressive list of nominees, the following candidates have been selected by the Wall of Excellence Committee:

• Earving L. Blythe: Academic or Career Accomplishment

• Clifford A. Cutchins III: Academic or Career Accomplishment

• Della I. Hayden: Special Honorary Achievement

• Robert “Bob” Sandidge: Outstanding Service to FHS or HHS

Please join us in celebrating and showing our appreciation for these fine representatives of the Franklin community for success in their careers after graduating from Franklin or Hayden High School, for their contributions to the students of Franklin City Public Schools, or for their contributions to our community.

“The FCWOE Committee is ecstatic that we can recognize, honor, and remember those who have achieved excellence and/or made a tremendous impact on our community and local schools,” said Franklin Community Wall of Excellence Chairman Jim Jervey.

The Franklin Community Wall of Excellence Committee will introduce the Class of 2018 during halftime of the Franklin vs. Windsor football game at Armory Field on Friday, Oct. 26. The game starts at 7 p.m., and will include a pre-game tailgate party for honored guests and their families.

On Saturday, Oct. 27, the honorees will be officially inducted at a dinner at Cypress Cove Country Club. Tickets for the event will be sold to the public while they are available for $35 each ($20 for children 12 and under.) A social begins at 5 p.m., followed by dinner at 6 p.m., and then the induction ceremony of the 2018 class. Afterward, there will be a time for family, friends and acquaintances to visit and take pictures.

The Franklin Community Wall of Excellence, which was founded in 2016, is located at Franklin High School adjacent to the gymnasium.

Names and pictures of each inductee are displayed for generations of Franklin High School students and community members to see as they walk by on their way to class or an event at FHS. This allows our students and citizens to take pride in and be inspired by some of the many successful people that have graduated from or served Franklin City Public Schools and our community.

There are five categories for induction into the Wall of Excellence:

• Academic or Career Accomplishment: This person must be a graduate of Franklin High School or Hayden High School who has achieved outstanding accomplishments in his/her chosen career.

• Athletic Accomplishment: This person must be a graduate of Franklin High School or Hayden High School with records achieved at the district level or above, was a state winner or qualifier during their high school athletic career, or with recognized accomplishments at the post-secondary, professional, or coaching level. 

• Cultural/Performing Arts: This person must be a graduate of Franklin High School or Hayden High School who has been recognized for achievement in the performing arts or a graduate who has contributed to the promotion of cultural activities.

• Outstanding Service to Franklin High School or Hayden High School: This category will honor worthy individuals who may or may not have graduated from FHS or HHS. This person will have supported and/or advanced the name and philosophy of the school in a positive manner or had an exemplary influence on the lives of students.

• Special Honorary Achievement: This category will honor worthy individuals who may or may not have graduated from FHS or HHS. This person may present a special situation for which the committee may wish to use this recognition.

For the “Academic or Career,” “Cultural/Performing Arts” and “Athletic Accomplishment” categories, nominees must have graduated from FHS or HHS 10 years prior to the nomination. Nominations of non-FHS or HHS graduates can only be accepted for the “Outstanding Service to FHS or HHS” and “Special Honorary Achievement” categories.

The inaugural Franklin Community Wall of Excellence 2016 class featured: Colgate W. Darden Jr. (Academic or Career Accomplishment;) William H. Goodwin Jr. (Academic or Career Accomplishment;) Larry B. Rose (Athletic Accomplishment;) and Peggy H. Wilkins (Outstanding Service to FHS or HHS.)

Last year’s class was: Shelia R. Baxter (Academic or Career Accomplishment;) Charles G. Pearce (Outstanding Service to FHS or HHS;) and Sol. W. Rawls Jr. (Academic or Career Accomplishment).

The public is invited to this event.

Please contact Nancy Parrish by phone (562-2458 or 334-0476) or e-mail (landnparrish@gmail.com) if you are interested in purchasing tickets.

You can also contact me by phone (651-9384) or e-mail (tfelts@fcpsva.org) to purchase tickets. A limited amount of tickets are on sale for $35 ($20 for children 12 and under) each.

TRAVIS FELTS is the principal of Franklin High School. Contact him at 562-5187.