Mount Vernon Alumni Hall of Fame inductees offered students advice and reflected on their careers at a ceremony Friday, Sept. 27 at Mount Vernon Performing Arts Center.

Fine arts hall of fame inductee Jude Smith offered students three important pieces of advice to remember — “do what you love, do it well, and do it with passion.”

She reiterated how much an influence art teacher Mrs. Swenson had on her life, setting her on the path that would eventually lead to her professional career.

“She was always encouraging me to continue to pursue my dreams,” Smith said.

She also reminded students to look at the friendships they have today, as many of those will be lifelong friendships to maintain for years to come.

She also reminded students of the importance of their families in all that they accomplish.

“I truly wouldn’t be here without my family,” Smith said. “We all know someone in our lives who needs an extra little bit of love in their life, and I encourage you to do that.”

Wayne Hormann was the athletics hall of fame inductee this year.

His advice for students came from his coach in high school James Bellamy — “you as an individual have to do your job to the best of your ability.”

“The team you have behind you in life will always be there to support you in the end,” Hormann said.

Hormann pointed to the facilities that Mount Vernon has now created in the past decade to benefit students, including the performing arts center and Martha Parsons Family Activity Complex.

“Those facilities make it easier for you to excel in your passions,” Hormann said. “You have a whole team of people, from your superintendent, administrators and teachers who are here to support you as well. You also have this great community. The other thing I’d remind you is you need to have fun in the time you’re going through the Mount Vernon School systems.”

The service hall of fame award went to the late Rev. James Moore, and was accepted on his behalf by his son Lt. Col. Robert Moore.

Kathy Bearce, James sister, said the family originally moved to Mount Vernon to make sure the children had the best education.

Robert said the advice he was sure his father would give to all students — “don’t be afraid to get involved in your community.”

“There are so many things that need to be fixed everywhere,” Robert said. “Don’t capitulate that work to others if you have a chance to get involved and help.”

Robert said his father’s love of service was carried out in his family, with two of his sons serving in the military.

As someone who is working on the improvements to artificial intelligence, Robert’s other piece of advice to students was to be ready to “embrace change.”

“Change is coming from the world of artificial intelligence,” Robert said.

Community impact hall of fame inductee Tom Wilkinson said that he thought years ago he was going to be away from Mount Vernon, but when the opportunity came and he was drawn back to teach German, it’s been one of the best decisions of his life.

His advice to students —“Be thankful to the people who are involved in your life and show them gratitude.”

He also commended students to embrace respect – for the teammates alongside you, officials who are along side you in your journey, your opponents who show the same respect to you, but mostly respect for yourself.

His last piece of advice came from Matt Saltzman, the now gold winning paralympic archer.

“Think and believe you are a champion, and you’ll always be a champion right now,” Wilkinson said.

And instead of just focusing on your own goals, help others achieve their own and it will help you reach your own goal.

Bill Yeisley was inducted for the achievement hall of fame for his work on helping train officials of many games.

He called being inducted into the alumni hall of fame the “frosting on the cake for doing something I enjoyed for so long.”

Yeisley officiated over his last athletic contest 10 years ago.

He hoped that hearing about his own accomplishments in his career encouraged more people to consider being an official for athletic contests in the state.

“Tonight, at the homecoming game at Mount Vernon, you’re going to have numerous officials at the game,” Yeisley said. “That’s the same for roughly half the schools in Iowa. Every Friday night there is a need for an official, and that’s the same for so many sports.”

He also commended Mount Vernon as a community for being a great place to have grown up and the opportunities he and his sisters had over the years.