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BHS honors inaugural Hall of Fame class
By Bridget Flynn and Sharon K. Wolfe
bflynn@pantagraph.com, swolfe@pantagraph.com
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BLOOMINGTON — Munich. Rome. Amsterdam. Bloomington. All are places where John A. Waddell -- an internationally renowned opera singer, former television star in Germany and current Broadway vocal coach -- has performed, but Bloomington is where it all began for him.

That’s why he was back at Bloomington High School, his alma mater, Thursday night, to honor the 150th anniversary of Bloomington District 87’s founding and to accept induction into its new Hall of Fame.

“You can do anything that you want to do if you have the right inspiration and loving kindness that BHS gives,” said Waddell, who graduated from BHS in 1959, when the school was on Washington Street in downtown Bloomington.

Twenty people were in the first group of Hall of Fame inductees, 10 alumni who made significant contributions to society and 10 who contributed to the district’s development in some way. The inaugural list is drawn from throughout the district’s history.

About 150 people attended the event that honored people ranging from Nobel Prize-winning physicist Clinton Davisson to actor McLean Stevenson to State Farm Insurance Cos. CEO Ed Rust Jr. and former teacher and Principal Robert Knight.

Waddell, who was surrounded by well-wishers before the ceremony and dinner, reminisced about how his BHS vocal coach Mary Selk went toe-to-toe with the football coach.

He recalled the football coach saying, “Look here, Waddell, are you going to sing or are you going to play football?”

He said Selk, who was nicknamed “Sarge,” told the coach, “He’s going to do both!”

Waddell ended up doing both. He received a vocal scholarship to Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington.

He was based in Germany for 20 years before becoming a vocal coach in New York City.

He recounted meeting Arnold Schwarzenegger, then a famous bodybuilder and actor, on a flight in Germany. Schwarzenegger was astounded that Waddell, who is black, was an opera singer who spoke perfect German, he said.

Schwarzenegger exclaimed, “If I had known, I would have been at the opera last night with my mother!”

Another honoree was Rosemary Dustman, who taught, was a guidance counselor and had other jobs in the district from 1951 to 1985.

“I’ll tell you, I’m just in awe to be in the same group with the other inductees because they’re such prestigious persons,” Dustman said.

Local businessman Dennis Marquardt echoed Dustman’s sentiments.

“It’s probably the most humbling thing that has ever happened to me,” said Marquardt, a 1973 graduate who was honored as the founder of Denny’s Donuts and Bakery in Bloomington and for his contributions to the community.

Inductee Judge Charles Witte, class of 1959, spoke of the role local schools have played in making Bloomington-Normal an attractive place to live.

“It seems like kids go to big cities, but when they start having kids, they come back to raise their families because we have great education, great health care, and it’s a secure community,” he said.



Inductees



Following are inductees to Bloomington District 87's new Hall of Fame, which recognizes former students and people who contributed to the betterment of the district.

Bloomington High School



• Willie Brown, Class of 1966, executive vice president, State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Co.

• Clinton Davisson, Class of 1902, physicist and Nobel laureate

• Pete Elliott, Class of 1944, executive director, Professional Football Hall of Fame, football coach

• Phillip Clifton "P.C." Kurtz, Class of 1913 valedictorian, and principal, assistant principal, teacher, Bloomington High School

• Dennis Marquardt, Class of 1973, founder, Denny's Donuts and Bakery

• Edward B. Rust Jr., Class of 1968, chairman and CEO, State Farm Insurance Cos.

• McLean Stevenson, Class of 1946, actor, writer, comedian

• Suzanne Tick, Class of 1977, award-winning fabric designer and owner of Suzanne Tick Inc. New York City

• John A. Waddell, Class of 1959, opera singer, vocal coach

• W. Charles Witte, Class of 1959, circuit judge, attorney

District 87



• Delores Anson, education support personnel, administrative offices, 1960-2007

• Horatio Bent, board member, board president, 1893-1931

• Rosemary Dustman, director, pupil personnel services, coordinator of guidance, counselor, teacher, 1951-1985

• Lois Green, assistant superintendent, principal, teacher, 1938-1970

• Roy Hostettler, counselor, teacher, 1947-1990

• Robert Knight, principal, assistant principal, counselor, teacher, 1950-1987

• Sharon Morkin, teacher, 1966-1994

• Sarah Raymond-Fitzwilliam, superintendent, principal, teacher, 1868-1892

• Dortha Tompkins, board member, board president, 1949-1962

• George Wells, superintendent, 1944-1966

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Reader comments on this story - 12 total

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

Mike Barford wrote on Sep 23, 2007 8:27 AM:

" I am glad to see that so many deserving people were given recognition. Roy Hostetler certainly deserves his recognition. I hope that in future years teachers will be recognized. I know that Elizabeth Stein's name will be in that group. And if Mr. Burt doesn't get in there, well, let's just say he should! Mike "

WOW wrote on Sep 21, 2007 3:49 PM:

" Nobody cares "

Carl Boyd wrote on Sep 21, 2007 11:48 AM:

" I remember John Waddell from when I went to B.H.S. I graduated in 1958. I also recall some of the other inductees, but John & Roy Hostettler's faces are still clear in my mind. Yea for B.H.S. "

Information wrote on Sep 21, 2007 10:44 AM:

" The Honorees with their pictures and bios are on the District 87 website. www.district87.org. Having read them, all I can say is wow! Congratulations to the honorees and job well done to the district for honoring them for their accomplishments. Having the plaque at the High School is also a great way to inspire students. "

From a Teacher wrote on Sep 21, 2007 9:57 AM:

" It is an honor to see that educators are being recognized for what they do. Way to go, Bloomington District 87 for honoring those who have given back to the community and have made a difference in the world. Each of these people are the product of a good public education. It is true: "Teachers do make a difference". "

Way to go... wrote on Sep 21, 2007 9:49 AM:

" Bloomington District 87!!! "

from Deb Johnson, edu. wrote on Sep 21, 2007 9:30 AM:

" It is a honor to see that the educational field is getting some recognition for going a job well done. It is always a good thing when students;(past and present) that have or are making a difference in this world, acknowledge teachers and staff that have helped in one way or another to mold and shape their lives. Mr. Waddell is top notch and by giving credit to the Bloomington High School staff is a honor in itself. It is true: "Teachers do make a difference". Way to go, Bloomington High School "

BHS Grad wrote on Sep 21, 2007 9:18 AM:

" I'm very pleased to tell Walt that Willie Brown was inducted in the Hall of Fame last night. I am so proud of our District. We have great teachers, administration, students and involved parents. Congratulations to all those honored last night, especially Suzie Tick. "

Incomplete wrote on Sep 21, 2007 8:45 AM:

" Why isn't there a list of all the honorees? I count 7 of 20 names listed. "

Mary Selk wrote on Sep 21, 2007 7:15 AM:

" what a class lady. i'm 49 and remember in grade school and high school. very nice person "

Walt McWalton wrote on Sep 21, 2007 7:06 AM:

" What about that Kearney kid that won State Championship as a miler (track) in the mid 60's or Willie Brown who is a SF VP?? "

Go Raiders! wrote on Sep 21, 2007 6:27 AM:

" Great job District 87. It makes me proud to see how successful in all walks of live the graduates have been! Can hardly wait for the second, third, fourth,...group of inductees. Very nice. "
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