Currently viewing the tag: "graduates of Catoctin High School"

The Distinguished Graduate Organization was established to recognize the graduates of Catoctin High School (CHS) who have made a difference locally, in the state, and/or in the nation. These men and women are nominated in five categories: Academics, Arts & Humanities, Athletics, Business, and Service (community, military, or public).

Nominated graduates will be mailed an application to complete. Honorees are selected from those applications returned to the committee. All nominees must be graduates of Catoctin High School. Students who attended CHS but did not graduate from CHS are not eligible for recognition.

The Distinguished Graduate Organization would also like to recognize former Catoctin staff members who have had a significant impact on the graduates of Catoctin High School. The community can nominate former cafeteria workers, custodians, instructional aides, secretaries, administrators, or teachers. The earliest a former staff member can be nominated is two years following their departure from CHS.

Please return completed Nomination Form by April 15: USPS—Catoctin Distinguished Graduate, 14745 Sabillasville Road, Thurmont, MD 21788; Fax—240-236-8101; Email—Rebecca.Hurley@fcps.org or Lacee.Andrew@fcps.org.

Nominees will then receive an application to be completed by May 15. The Distinguished Graduate Organization committee will determine the award recipients by June 21.

The Lewistown Ruritan Club is offering scholarships to graduates of Catoctin High School and Thomas Johnson High School or relatives of Lewistown Ruritan current or past members. These scholarships are available for a community college, a four-year college, and vocational or trade schools.

Completed applications are to be returned to Randy Green, 17 Sunfish Trail, Fairfield, PA 17320 by June 20, 2023. For scholarship forms or additional questions, contact Randy at greenr@supernet.com or any Lewistown Ruritan member.

 The Lewistown Ruritan Club has served the Lewistown/Thurmont Community since 1960. “We work to enhance the quality of life through community service and to make our community a better place to live and work.”

The club currently holds six chicken BBQs a year, plus other fundraisers, to support local causes and to award scholarships to local students.

James Rada, Jr.

One is a trial attorney with the U.S. Department of Justice. One is a local businesswoman. One is a police chief. One is a college coach. One is a retired Catoctin High School teacher. They are all part of the group of first recipients of the Catoctin High Distinguished Graduate Awards.

Principal Bernard Quesada told the gathered seniors and freshmen that each year Catoctin High School graduates students who leave their mark on the world. “Since our first graduating class, Catoctin High School has served as a landmark for success,” he said.

The honorees were selected by the Distinguished Graduate Organization, which formed over the summer. The organization established the awards “To recognize distinguished graduates of Catoctin in the areas of Academics, Arts & Humanities, Athletics, Business, and Public Service. Former Catoctin staff members who have had a significant impact on graduates of Catoctin High School will be recognized.”

Gus Eyler, Class of 2001, was the Academics inductee. Eyler is a trial attorney in the U.S. Department of Justice’s Criminal Fraud Section. He also serves as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney in the District of Maryland. While a Catoctin student, he played sports, served in student government organizations, and was a member of the National Honor Society. He lives in Kensington, Maryland, with his family.

Eyler praised the education he had received at Catoctin High. “Learn from these people,” he said. “Imitate their efforts. It will serve you well.”

Maggie Doll, Class of 1971, was the Business inductee. She is the owner of Gateway Candyland, a family business that has given many Catoctin students their first job. She is also very active in the community, helping with fundraisers for cancer patients, school organizations, local events, and location fire and ambulance companies.

She encouraged the students to be a part of their community. “Get off the texting. Get a personality. Learn to relate to people,” she urged the students.

Kate Robinson, Class of 2006, was the Athletics inductee. Robinson was a three-sport athlete while at Catoctin High. She took that love of sports with her and had a successful college athletic career and has become a successful college coach. In 2014, she was named first-ever head women’s lacrosse coach at Whitman College in Washington.

“Challenge yourself,” Robinson said. “Don’t be afraid of failure. Make your moments count.”

Greg Eyler, Class of 1974, was the Public Service inductee. After retiring from a twenty-five-year career with the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office in 2005, he was appointed the Chief of Police for Thurmont.

Eyler urged the students to make a difference with their lives. “Nothing is more powerful, and I mean nothing, is more powerful than determination.”

Tom Sherald was the Former Catoctin Staff inductee. Sherald retired from the Frederick County Public School System in 2011, after thirty-nine years. He spent eighteen of those years teaching at Catoctin High. He spent most of his career teaching physical education.

He told the students that ideally their high school years will prepare them for their futures. “The jobs that many of you do may not even exist now,” Sherald said.

Besides a 2015 Distinguished Graduate Award, each inductee also received Catoctin High-themed gifts.

sherald

Pictured from left are Maggie Doll, Rachel Olson, Chief Gregg Eyler, Principal Bernard Quesada, Gus Eyler, Kate Robinson, Tom Sherald, and Keith Bruck.