Moorhead High School Hall of Honor inducts four members for 2016
December 7, 2016
Two graduates and two retired educators were inducted into the Moorhead High School Hall of Honor at a recognition ceremony this fall at Minnesota State University Moorhead. The 2016 inductees are Rod McLarnan, Betty Myers, Bill Quenette and Ron Wiisanen.
Moorhead High School Principal Dave Lawrence welcomed people to the dinner ceremony, and Superintendent Lynne Kovash shared remarks prior to the induction ceremony.
“Our district has remained strong in educating the whole child, finding opportunities for each student to thrive and to grow to meet their maximum potential as you have also done in your fields,” she said.
Kovash said the honorees have helped bring the district’s mission statement to life.
“As we talk about the importance of relationships in our schools, Coach Q held an important role in the life of many Moorhead High School students,” Kovash said.
Kovash acknowledged Ron McLarnan’s service in the community as an ambassador for education for all children and Ron Wiisanen as an example of a Moorhead High graduate who is thriving in his chosen field.
“Betty Myers is one of the most kind, gentle and caring individuals I’ve ever met,” Kovash said. “She had high expectations for everyone as well as herself.”
Moorhead High School Hall of Honor committee members were recognized for their work, and the corporate sponsors Bell State Bank & Trust and Gate City Bank were acknowledged for their support.
The three inductees were recognized, and plaques were presented to each honoree or representative. Identical plaques will hang at Moorhead High School.
During their remarks, the inductees or their representatives shared reflections on their experiences connected to Moorhead High School and Moorhead Area Public Schools.
McLarnan, who graduated from Moorhead High School in 1944, was unable to attend the ceremony in person, but shared remarks via video. He described his dream of becoming a lawyer and how after working for a Minneapolis law firm, Moorhead kept calling him home. He practiced law in Moorhead from 1958 to January 2013 and spent 10 years as a volunteer lawyer for the Minnesota Legal Aid office in Moorhead.
McLarnan joined the Salvation Army board of directors in 1985 and later served as chairman for 22 years. He
served on the Moorhead Park Board for 12 years, taught English to children through Global Volunteers, reads with students at S.G. Reinertsen Elementary School, and has been an active volunteer for many community organizations.
He said four generations of his family had the pleasure of going to Moorhead High School — his mother, him, all his children, and his grandchildren.
“I’ve had a long affection for Moorhead, and the education I received,” McLarnan said.
Accepting the plaque on behalf of
Elizabeth (Betty) Myers, who was unable to attend the ceremony, was her husband
David Myers. He read a statement from her in which she said it had been an honor to work for 20 years as an educator in Moorhead.
Myers
began working for Moorhead Area Public Schools in 1984 as a second-grade teacher at Riverside Elementary. From 1987-2003 she served as principal at Robert Asp. She retired in 2004 after serving a year as principal of Riverside.
“I will never forget the teachers, students and parents I had the great privilege to serve,” Betty Myers said.
Brian Cole, orchestra teacher at Horizon Middle School, worked at Robert Asp under Myers.
“She filled our building with joy. She filled our building with encouragement,” he said. “Betty was an encourager, famous for her handwritten notes.”
Just as teachers bring out the best in their students, Myers’ specialty was bringing out the best in her staff, Cole said.
Accepting the plaque on behalf of
Bill Quenette
, who died in 2013 at age 79, were his wife Andy Quenette and his son Mark Quenette.
Quenette
taught physical education at Moorhead High School from 1966 until 1993 when he retired. He coached for the Spuds from 1966 until 2005, playing a key role in many state tournament appearances as a head coach and assistant coach for football, basketball, baseball and golf.
Mark Quenette said that as a teacher he has the privilege of positively influencing 300 students. “Just think of the positive influence Dad had over his entire career,” he said.
Chuck Gulsvig, former Moorhead High teacher and close friend to the Quenette family, shared his thoughts.
“Bill couldn’t be here, but his legacy is. He’d be very proud,” Gulsvig said. “Moorhead High is bricks and mortar, but the people who come out of there are just outstanding.”
Ron Wiisanen, a 1970 Moorhead High School graduate, has practiced family medicine and obesity medicine at MeritCare/Sanford for 24 years. He currently practices bariatric medicine as a senior physician at the Sanford Eating Disorders and Weight Management Clinic in Fargo, and he is also a clinical associate professor for the UND School of Medicine.
Wiisanen shared some highlights from his career, including working to develop Family Health Care for those who are underinsured or uninsured and working with people with the disease of obesity.
“What I’ve learned is the need to treat people with kindness, respect and encouragement,” he said. “I learned that from Moorhead Schools.”
“As our district emphasizes lifelong learning, these honorees certainly exemplify the idea of lifelong learning and teaching,” Kovash said. “From helping our students to read, sharing the knowledge of medicine, coaching and lifetime skills, to leading schools with high expectations, we are proud of our staff and graduates. We honor them for those qualities.”
About the Hall of Honor
The Moorhead High School Hall of Honor recognizes alumni, faculty, staff and other community members who have demonstrated notable accomplishments or provided significant contributions to their school, community or society. The nominations committee is now considering candidates for 2017. Nominations are continuously accepted for the Hall of Honor. Nomination forms are available at
www.moorheadschools.org
or Moorhead High School. Nominations may be submitted online. Nominations previously received are kept to be considered for future recognition.
Photo caption:
Four new members were inducted into the Moorhead High School Hall of Honor for 2016 —Andy Quenette accepting for Bill Quenette, David Myers accepting for Betty Myers, Ron Wiisanen, and Rod McLarnan (not pictured).
Categorized under: School