About the Hall of Fame
The purpose of the Perry Hall High School Alumni Association Hall of Fame is to recognize former Perry Hall High School students, faculty and staff who have distinguished themselves by virtue of their outstanding contributions to the school, the community of Perry Hall, Maryland, or society in general after they graduate or leave Perry Hall High School.
2010 Induction
Charles “Bud” Heil, Jr., Class of 1966:
Charles Heil is not just a graduate of Perry Hall High School, but also one of the longest-serving teachers at any of Perry Hall’s public schools. He will retire in June of 2010 after forty years of teaching. He estimates he has taught over 10,000 Perry Hall students since 1970. After graduating from the Maryland Institute College of Art, Charles Heil started teaching at Perry Hall Middle School, where he has stayed his entire career. In 2009, the Visual Arts Office for the Baltimore County Public School system honored him for his outstanding, longtime service to public school students.
Scott Kennell, Class of 1994:
Scott Kennell epitomizes the best in athletics. As an undergraduate at North Carolina Wesleyan, he was a four-year starter for the university’s soccer team at midfield. Twice he was named the Umbro Regional All-American and All-Dixie Conference player, and he held Wesleyan’s all-time record for career goals and single-season marks for goals and total points. Upon graduating, Kennell was selected as the eighth overall college player for the 1998 Eastern Indoor Soccer League draft. He played in Savannah, Georgia, then was acquired by the Eastern Shore Sharks, where he led the team in goals scored and was the team’s captain. Scott Kennell has now served for ten years as head coach for Lycoming College’s men’s soccer team; in the summer of 2008, he was named as the director of athletics.
Dara Ann Lawrence, Class of 1986:
A four-year President of the Class of 1986, Dara Lawrence has excelled in the nursing profession since graduating from Perry Hall High School. She earned her first bachelor degree from Randolph Macon College, then received her second bachelor degree after completing the Accelerated Nursing Program from Johns Hopkins University. While working at Kennedy Krieger Institute, she received a double master’s degree in Nursing and Business Administration, and was selected as a member of the Nursing Honor Society. She is currently a pediatric nurse and Assistant Director of Clinical Care Management, where her work has touched the lives of hundreds of children.
Steven John Melewski, Class of 1978:
As a twelfth grade sports writer for the Perry Hall High School radio station, Steve Melewski set out to become a professional sports broadcaster—an area in which he has excelled. He currently works as a radio host for the pre- and post-game shows for Baltimore Orioles baseball games, and worked for the past two seasons in the same role for University of Maryland basketball games. He is a featured writer for MASNsports.com, the Internet arm of the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network. During his long career in broadcasting, Steve Melewski has served as sports director at WBAL-AM 1090, where he covered all of Baltimore’s major professional sports teams. He was a finalist for Maryland Sportscaster of the Year three times, winning in 2000.
Albert D. Miller, Jr., Former Faculty:
A longtime athletic director at Perry Hall, Mr. Miller was inducted to the Hall of Fame as a former faculty member .
2009 Induction
Reggie Aqui, Class of 1995:
News anchor for CNN.com Live.
James F. Ports, Jr., Class of 1976:
Former Maryland state legislator, Deputy Secretary of Transportation, and Deputy Administrator at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Alfred W. Redmer, Jr., Class of 1974:
Former Maryland state legislator, Insurance Commissioner, and insurance company executive.
Tonja Walker-Davidson, Class of 1979:
Emmy nominated actress and Tony nominated producer.
From left to right: Delegate Joe Boteler, Alumni Association Director David Marks, Hall of Fame Inductee Tonja Walker Davidson, Perry Hall High School Principal George Roberts, Hall of Fame Inductee Jim Ports, Hall of Fame Inductee Al Redmer, Delegate Wayne Norman, and Alumni Association President Nicole Rush
Selection Process
Starting in 2009, the Perry Hall High School Alumni Association shall induct a maximum of five inductees into the Hall of Fame. Induction into the Hall of Fame will be held at an Alumni Association function early each year. Inductees are permanently enrolled on a plaque in Perry Hall High School and recognized on the Alumni Association’s Web Site and archives. Any individual may be nominated for posthumous membership into the Hall of Fame.
Distinguished Alumni – Criteria for Membership
- Any former student from Perry Hall High School is eligible for membership as a distinguished alumnus or alumna. The individual need not be a graduate of Perry Hall High School.
- The alumnus or alumna should have distinguished himself or herself by virtue of outstanding contributions to the school, the community of Perry Hall, Maryland, or society in general after they graduate or leave Perry Hall High School; or have excelled in a chosen field after graduation.
- An alumnus or alumna becomes eligible for nomination to the Hall of Fame ten (10) years after attending Perry Hall High School.
Distinguished Former Faculty or Staff – Criteria for Membership
- Any former faculty or staff member from Perry Hall High School who had a direct and significant impact on students and the community of Perry Hall, Maryland, is eligible for membership as a distinguished former faculty or staff. The individual need not be a graduate of Perry Hall High School.
- The staff or faculty member becomes eligible for nomination to the Hall of Fame five (5) years after leaving Perry Hall High School.
- No more than one distinguished faculty or staff member shall be inducted each year.