Mount Vernon alumni were inducted into the Hall of Fame Friday, Sept. 29, at a ceremony at the Mount Vernon Performing Arts Center.
Those inductees also took time at the assembly to give advice to the gathered high school students about what they learned in their time at Mount Vernon.
Holly Gunn was the inductee for Fine Arts.
She noted that she has always had a passion for the arts, and that was something her family nurtured from a young age, including enrolling her in Mount Vernon schools.
Her advice to students – “There’s no reason you can’t follow your dreams,” Gunn said. “Do what you love and love what you do.”
She noted she was fortunate to be a Mustang and she holds the amazing town of Mount Vernon and the support she received here high in her heart.
Jeff Meeker was inducted for athletics.
Meeker noted that he and Truman Jordan, who recommended him for the accolade, used to work side by side on KMVL athletic broadcasts.
He also thanked former coach Shirley Ryan for helping him love the sport of volleyball, a passion he has pursued as a coach for the past several years at a number of institutions.
“I also learned a lot from my dad on coaching,” Meeker said. “Dad was a Hall of Fame inductee for coaching the 1983 track team. But I learned just as much from him and the work he did coaching our softball team at the time.”
When it came to the reason Cornell volleyball was so successful, Meeker said there was no secret ingredient that can be found.
“Hard work is important, perseverance is important, patience is important,” Meeker said. “You mix all that together, and that’s what helps make us successful.”
His advice to students was a quote he lives by – “what you learn after you think you know it all is what matters.”
Sarah Kendall was inducted for service.
Her advice to students – volunteer now, and volunteer often.
“By volunteering, you make a difference in every person’s lives you work with,” Kendall said.
Mike Woods was inducted for community impact.
He noted that when he left for serving with the United states Army years ago, he never dreamed he would return to Mount Vernon.
“I always dreamed I’d be traveling the world,” Woods said.
When he returned to Mount Vernon in 2003, Fred Lehman got him associated with the American Legion and was a mentor for him with the organization.
His advice for students – Look for a mentor in your own life.
“Ask them questions, and don’t feel ashamed to ask for help when you need it,” Woods said.
Woods was a paratrooper with the military, completing hundreds of jumps, and he admitted he was scared every time he made one.
“I trusted my equipment, my fellow paratroopers and my training to keep me safe,” Woods said. “Just being scared should not stop you from doing anything.”
Jamil Farschi was inducted for achievement.
Unlike the rest of the presenters who came with prepared notes, Farschi spoke from the hip.
“I love this place and community,” he said. “The things I had here have benefitted me in my life, including the values and commitment to education in this community.”
He noted that there are places in the world who would kill for the type of school experience that Mount Vernon students are receiving.
“The education you receive here will give you all an advantage to whatever you pursue in your lives,” Farshci said.
He said that students will also be able to fix many of the issues in the world if they focus on what they are passionate about, and he’s ready to work with them on those issues.

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Nathan Countryman

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