SEPTEMBER 7, 2015
WALL OF FAME INDUCTEES, NEW SPORTS HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES
Alumni of Fort Gay High School gathered for their Annual Banquet September 4th at Louisa First Baptist Church. Alumni Association President, Richard Plymale says the event is held on Labor Day Weekend each year as part of Mountain Heritage Day festivities. Earlier Friday a Golf Tournament was held at Eagle Ridge Golf Course and 20 teams participated. The Association also set up at tent on the lawn of the old Fort Gay High School during Mountain Heritage Day.
The Fort Gay High School Alumni Association was formed in 1993. They offer a scholarship to four recipients per year totaling approximately $12,000. The first Scholarship was given in 1999 in the amount of $500.
Graduates of Tolsia High School who are attending Marshall University are the recipients of the scholarship. President Plymale stated, “The Alumni board does not administer the scholarship or pick who gets it. The Board’s only responsibility is to set the rules and the guidelines.”
During the banquet presentations of the Distinguished Alumni Award, Wall of Honor Recipients, and the Sports Hall of Fame Inductees were featured. A Special Guest, Doreen F. Simpkins was the oldest known living graduate of Fort Gay High School at 99 years old. Doreen is a well-known Poet.
Dr. Marc Workman received the Distinguished Alumni Award. He is a 1978 Graduate of Fort Gay High School and a 1986 graduate from Marshall University Edwards School of Medicine. Dr. Workman specializes in Family Medicine in Louisa, Kentucky.
FT. GAY SPORTS HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES
New this year to the banquet the first nine Inductees were introduced into the Sports Hall of Fame by board member, Gary Huff. The Inductees are Jim Webb, Class of 1958; Bill Dean, Class of 1960; Wilts Salmons, Class of 1961; Randy Ratcliff, Class of 1973; Sherry Damron, Class of 1977; Kim Noe, Class of 1978; Jeanette Ratcliff, Class of 1979; Steve Damron, Class of 1983; and Coach, Judy Frasher Rakes. (See previous Lazer story)
Fort Gay High School Wall Of Honor recipients
Located in the Fort Gay Library will be a plaque including the names of the Fort Gay High School Wall Of Honor recipients. Also new this year, recipients received a wooden hand crafted plate and were honored for being supporters for the mission of the Alumni Association.
These recipients were Richard Plymale, John Plymale, Frank Perry, Mike Perry, Stephen New, and Robin Henson.
This year’s banquet was a huge success with over 200 individuals in attendance.
“Pulling everything together for this weekend would not be possible without the many volunteers,” Plymale said.
