Sixth Annual JHS Hall of Fame Ceremony will Honor Three Graduates
The sixth annual JHS Hall of Fame Ceremony will take place on Sunday, November 2, 2008 in the Johnstown High School lecture hall. This year’s event, which is open to the public at no charge, will begin with a reception and tours of the new auditorium at 4 p.m., followed by a 5 p.m. ceremony recognizing the professional and civic accomplishments of JHS graduates Dr. Robert J. Valachovic (dec.), Class of 1942; Mr. Frank Shields, Class of 1949; and Mr. Jon (J.D.) Aldrich, Class of 1967.

Dr. Robert J. Valachovic (dec.) graduated from JHS, where he was vice-president of his class, in 1942. He then graduated from the NYS Maritime Academy. After serving in World War II, he was discharged in 1946 and completed his education at Hartwick College and the University at Albany. During his career, Dr. Valachovic worked as a teacher, school psychologist, superintendent of Stratford Schools, counseling psychologist at the State University of New York at Fredonia, and as an adjunct professor at SUNY New Paltz and College of St. Rose. Dr. Valachovic also served as mayor of the City of Johnstown from 1994-1998 and helped to organize Fulton County First Night. He was an active member of the Johnstown First Presbyterian Church, St. Patrick’s Lodge and the Fulton County Republican Club.

Mr. Frank Shields graduated from JHS in 1949 and then went on to earn a degree from St. Lawrence University. He served as a United States Army officer from 1955-1957. He went on to coach high school football, but is better known for starting and coaching high school lacrosse programs in Watertown, Manlius and Canton, New York. Mr. Shields subsequently coached on the college level at Lehigh University, University of Massachusetts, Hobart College and St. Lawrence University. He served as Director of Alumni Relations for St. Lawrence from 1981 until his retirement in 1993. Mr. Shields has previously been honored with the St. Lawrence University Athletic Hall of Fame award, the Distinguished Alumni award, the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Association award, and the Lacrosse NYSPASAA “Man of the Year” award.

Mr. Jon (J.D.) Aldrich graduated from JHS in 1967 and then attended the Berklee School of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. Upon graduating from Berklee, Mr. Aldrich co-created a sound-writing course at the school, the first of its kind in the world. He has been a professor of music at Berklee for more than 35 years. Professionally, Mr. Aldrich is a well known composer, arranger and performer of numerous television and radio jingles, creating works for advertising campaigns used by McDonald’s, Pepsi, Sears, Grossman’s, as well as television shows such as Touched By An Angel, General Hospital, Beverly Hills 90210 and many others. Mr. Aldrich wrote and sang the 1986 Super Bowl song and is currently working on a Disney project. He also performs with his own band and has generously donated his time twice yearly for the Fulton County Scholarship Dance and the hugely successful Johnstown Block Party for more than 20 years. Mr. Aldrich also personally gives a scholarship each year to a graduating JHS senior.

If you would like to nominate a Johnstown High School graduate for consideration in the 2009-2010 year, please download a Nominating Form in Adobe PDF, or contact the district clerk at 762-4611 to request one. Download: Acrobat Reader

The Purpose of the Hall of Fame
The purpose of the Hall of Fame is to recognize and honor Johnstown High School graduates who have distinguished themselves in their profession, humanitarian or civil affairs, or activities that merit special recognition. 

An eight member selection committee, which includes a cross-section of Board of Education members, District administrators, District staff, and community representatives, chooses inductees based on their peer recognition; their contributions to their profession, science, arts, government, education, athletics, their service to community and their appeal as role models. 

Formal induction to the Hall of Fame occurs annually in a Recognition Ceremony hosted by the District. Engraved plaques containing an etched photograph and brief biography of the honoree are permanently displayed in the high school. 

Nominees must have graduated from Johnstown High School at least ten years prior to being nominated.

The History of the Hall of Fame
The recommendation to establish the JHS Hall of Fame was presented to the Board of Education by Richard McGuire on July 31, 2002 and unanimously approved by resolution of the Board of Education on November 20, 2002. Click on the honoree names below for a profile.

The First Annual Induction Ceremony was held in 2003 
Three Honorees were selected as follows:
John Dennison Knipple, JHS Class of 1939
Arlene M. Sitterly, JHS Class of 1941
William M. Pollak, JHS Class of 1953

The Second Annual Induction Ceremony was held on November 10, 2004 
Two Honorees were selected as follows:
Harry E. "Bud" Fear, JHS Class of 1944
Donald R. Ruch, DMD, JHS Class of 1974

The Third Annual Induction Ceremony was held on October 16, 2005 
Seven Honorees were selected as follows:
Elizabeth Cady Stanton
Frederick Vosburgh
Stanley A. Bown
Eric L. Steenburgh
Frank Steenburgh
Karl F. Steenburgh
William A. Steenburgh

The Fourth Annual Induction Ceremony was held on October 15, 2006
Four graduates of Johnstown High School were elected to the 2006 Class of the Hall of Fame. Major General Daniel Doubleday, Richard McGuire, Barbara McMartin and G. Wallace Hart were the individuals that were honored. (Click here for inductee profiles)

The Fifth Annual Induction Ceremony was held On October 6, 2007
Four graduates of Johnstown High School were elected to the 2007 Class of the Hall of Fame. Hon. Carrol S. Walsh, Jr., Paul T. Valachovic, Peter S. Wilson, Sr. (dec.), and John P. (Jack) Siedlecki, Jr. were the individuals that were honored. (Click here for inductee profiles)

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