After a successful induction ceremony last spring, officials at the Escalon Unified School District are once again planning to add another class to the district’s Hall of Fame this school year.
“We plan on hosting a recognition dinner for any new inductees on the evening of Friday, March 21, 2025,” said District Superintendent Ricardo Chavez. “The application process for nominations is currently open and will stay open through the end of day Thursday, January 30, 2025.”
Applications are available for pick up at the District Office, 1520 Yosemite Ave., and will be also be available through the District website at www.escalonusd.org
Chavez said the goal is to highlight those people throughout the district who have made notable contributions to the educational society of the EUSD. A photo of the honoree, an inscription indicating his or her contribution and a permanent plaque listing those selected and the year selected is placed in the Performing Arts Center.
“Pictures and descriptive inscriptions shall remain on display for one year in the gymnasium trophy case, after which time they will be transferred to a book which will be permanently kept in the Board Room,” the Hall of Fame material indicates. “In addition, honorees will be recognized at a dinner to be held each spring.”
Based on the program criteria, “No fewer than one nor more than five individuals shall be selected for the honor per year.”
Nominations are currently being sought from the following categories: (a) Alumni of Escalon Unified Schools. Such individuals shall not be recognized until five years after graduation. (b) A member of the community. (c) A district employee or Board Member. Such individuals shall not be recognized until five years after they leave/retire from District service. (d) A parent of a student who has attended Escalon schools. Parents shall not be eligible until their children have been out of school for five years.
The nominations are being sought from the community at large, including employees, former students, and retirees and must be submitted on a form provided by the District Office. The form contains a brief rationale for the nomination.
A selection committee composed of Board Members and District administrative staff members will review the nominations and the committee recommendations will be forwarded to the Board of Education for final approval. The Board of Trustees reserves the right to waive any criteria if special circumstances warrant such action.
Basic information sought for the nominee includes the Name of Recipient, Date of Birth and Place of Birth, Educational background (if applicable), Family information, Degrees/Credentials (if applicable), Experiences prior to EUSD involvement (Military/Civilian if applicable), Initial involvement with EUSD, Position and function of involvement, Years of involvement, Date of hire, election or enrollment (if applicable), Resignation, retirement, or graduation (if applicable), Honors accorded during or after involvement with EUSD, Major accomplishments or contributions to EUSD, Outstanding attributes of recipient.
Initial inductees in 1997 were Lloyd C. Engel, Jacob C. Klessens and James L. Prichard. The 2006 class included Gerald (Jerry) L. Barton, Patricia Coslet, Audrey M. Gillispie, Ed Mulvihill, and Seward Smith.
Inducted in 2024 were Arthur Sanguinetti, Roger Beeman, David Mantooth, Robert Loureiro and, posthumously, Michael Backovich.
“The Escalon Unified School District Hall of Fame is intended to memorialize in a permanent way the notable contributions made by individuals in our community to the Escalon Unified School District,” Chavez said.
