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Five KCF Hall of Fame Inductees celebrated

By BREANNA HANLEY bhanley@lockhaven.com 15 min read

MILL HALL -- The Central Mountain High School Cafeteria was packed to the brim for the third annual Keystone Central Foundation Alumni Hall of Fame.

Five incredible alumni were inducted into the Hall of Fame this year, with impressive resumes between them.

This year's emcee was Keystone Central School District's Superintendent Dr. Francis "Frank" Redmon who began by speaking about the purpose of the night: Celebration.

"(It is about) the celebration of the achievements of our Keystone Central School District alumni. It's a celebration of our friends at the (Keystone Central) Foundation, donors who have helped Keystone Central Foundation provide more opportunities for our students, and it's a celebration of the great things our KCSD students are doing in and out of the classroom," said Redmon.

Ashley Crust, CMHS Band Director, and her student group "The CMHS JazzCats" were at the event to provide background instrumentals for guests to enjoy as they ate. The group is composed of Joseph Long, Tucker Taylor, Kyle Haigh, Erin Thompson, Emily Bechdel, Sarah Long, Chloe Corbin and Kathryn Farrall.

One of the things many inductee's speeches had in common was the inclusion of Jess Long, who paved the way for many of them to become successful.

Jess Long was a math teacher at Bald Eagle Nittany, and was remembered fondly as a supportive man who was a force to be reckoned with.

According to Melissa Bottorf, KCF Executive Director, the foundation will be giving out around $60,000 in scholarships to seniors at Central Mountain and Bucktail, including a new scholarship in Long's honor.

"Many of the BEN graduates we have honored the last couple of years have all cited Jess Long as a teacher from BEN who has been inspirational in their achievements. Many of those members in the class have decided to create the Jess Long Memorial Scholarship," said Bottorf.

Bottorf encourages anyone who has been personally impacted by Jess Long to donate towards the scholarship. More information can be found at www.kcfoundation.com.

The first alum honored was Alison Bechdel, BEN Class of 1978. Bechdel was nominated by her former classmate, Christina Livingston-Frank.

Bechdel is probably best known for her graphic novel, "Fun Home," which was published in 2006. The memoir focused on the complex relationship between Alison, who came out to her parents as a lesbian at 19, and her father Bruce who was a closeted gay man living in rural Pennsylvania. The book came to critical and commercial success and even spent several weeks on the New York Times Bestseller List. In 2015, a broadway adaptation of the novel began and is considered the first main-stream musical about a young lesbian.

Though her nominator couldn't attend the event, Mary Coploff read out Livingston-Frank's speech on her behalf.

"I always knew that Alison Bechdel was extraordinary. I formed a friendship with Alison while participating in creative writing classes, plays, chorus and orchestra with her. She was never one to laud her intelligence, accomplishments (or) her abilities above others," said Coploff.

Coploff continued, "(Alison) has written of suffering from imposter syndrome, a malady that afflicts many of us who were raised together during the 60s and 70s. Alison's true success is certainly not fake, as is evidenced by the numerous awards that her works have garnered... She has broached subjects that a lesser individual may have simply internalized. (Her) willingness to share her struggles has undoubtedly helped thousands process the angst of coming to adulthood."

Though she was unable to attend the event in person, Bechdel joined via Zoom and was pleasantly surprised by Livingston-Frank's words.

She briefly spoke about how her school years were hard for her, but how they helped shape her into the person she is today.

"Those words from Christina were so touching, I'm really moved by that," said Bechdel. "High school in the 1970s was not exactly a picnic for a gay kid, even one who did not yet know she was gay. I worked really hard on overcoming (my) shyness in highschool, at least as hard as I did on Trigonometry with Mr. Long. My experience in highschool was very good training for the process of being different, of coming out and finding myself in a hostile world and figuring out not only how to survive there and hopefully make it less hostile for the people who came after. My hope is that my silly cartoons have helped to make the world a slightly less hostile place for LGBTQ people, and for everyone. If we're not all free to be our whole selves, then no one is."

The second individual inducted was Michael K. Hanna, Sr., LHHS Class of 1971, was nominated by Thomas "Doc" Sweitzer, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame last year.

In 1990, Hanna won his first term to the PA State House of Representatives for the 76th district. He represented the district that included Clinton, parts of Centre, Clearfield and Lycoming counties for the next 28 years until his retirement in December 2018.

Hanna's nominator was unable to attend the ceremony, but Dan Vilello spoke on his behalf.

"I want to start by saying, in today's political climate, we need more Mike Hannas in Harrisburg and Washington. On day one as our State Representative, Mike used common sense, his winning personality and the skill as a successful attorney to bring people together," said Vilello.

Hanna took to the podium and congratulated the other nominees, highlighting their accomplishments and the incredible people they are.

He spoke about the next nominee, Dr. Sue Kodad-Rex, and shared a memory with her from his personal life.

"I don't know if you remember my mother, Celestine Hanna... (She) always said you were destined for great things. My mother recognized your talents right from the start. I think that's something we don't often hear," said Hanna.

He then spoke on his family history, describing how he read his grandfather, Tim Hanna's, obituary and knew he had big shoes to fill.

"He was so inspirational. He was a civic leader and a business leader... He looked at the Western end of Lock Haven (and) turned it into Hanna Park and Sunset Pines development," said Hanna.

He spoke about how when he was elected, Amy Gutmann -- president of University of Pennsylvania at the time -- sent him a book titled "The Spirit of Compromise."

"I read it, and thought, my Lord, if only everybody would read this. And then I thought, 'Why shouldn't everybody read it?' From that day forward, every new legislator who came to Harrisburg got a copy of (the book) from me. I did that until the day I retired," said Hanna.

Hanna's speech also earned a lot of laughs from the audience, especially when he quoted Otto von Bismarck in saying, "Laws are like sausages, it is better not to see them being made" and telling a personal story of his own experience in the messiness of law creation.

The next inductee was Dr. Sue Kodad-Rex, BEN Class of 1968, who was nominated by her cousin, Deb Smeltz.

Kodad-Rex retired in 2022 as an Emeritus Professor from Winthrop University, South Carolina where she taught at the Richard W. Riley College of Education.

Throughout her career, Kodad-Rex authored 15 books for elementary and middle school children, parents and counselors dealing with a variety of social issues affecting children today.

Kodad-Rex has received many awards and accolades, including President George Bush Sr.'s Point of Light Award for Public Service in 1992, The South Carolina Counselors' Humanitarian Award in 1998 and the South Carolina Women in Leadership Award in 2023.

She and her husband, Dr. James Rex, opened the James and Susan Rex Institute for Educational Renewal and Partnership in 2010. The Rex Institute at Winthrop University works with school districts across the state to promote both collaboration and innovation. Through the Institute, Dr. Sue Rex initiated "Leading the Way," a statewide annual recognition for teacher mentors in the public schools, which helps early career classroom teachers succeed and remain in teaching.

Smeltz gave a brief overview of how their family came to be, beginning with William and Grace Moyer who watched six of their children graduate from Mill Hall High School.

She highlighted Kodad-Rex's school life at Bald Eagle Nittany.

"She continued in education in a very big way. She was a cheerleader, Flaming Foliage Queen, in the homecoming court, Future Teachers of America, Honor Society, Gym Club, Pep Club, Speech Club and Student Council. In 1968, Sue graduated and walked across the stage to receive her diploma, and she hasn't stopped yet," said Smeltz.

Kodad-Rex took to the podium to speak about how surprised she was by her nomination.

She spoke about her lasting friendships she made in school, noting their classmates are always getting together.

"I really think if you went around and asked everybody to (say) one thing about their high school, the majority of them would tell you it's the deep friendships that we made and kept all these years," said Kodad-Rex.

She also spoke about the work she has done in her community in Fairfield, S.C., noting that they're focussing on retention and recruitment of teachers in their rural school.

"Collaboration is necessary in order to really get some goals set up and important projects completed. (KCSD) is a perfect example of how important foundations are to the community. We need businesses to help our foundations to be successful and achieve goals. I commend (KCF) for bringing to the table constituents that care about this school district," she said.

The fourth inductee was Judith (Laubscher) Sensenbrenner, BEN Class of 1959, who was nominated by her former classmate, Howard Peters who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2022.

Sensenbrenner got her start during a casual conversation at the old Mill Hall High School during her 7th grade year. A student teacher from Lock Haven State College asked her to play piano for him during lunch time, and asked what her post-school plans were. She told him she planned to follow in her mother's footsteps and become a nurse, but he encouraged her to be a doctor.

She participated in the first Science Fairs held by Penn State and Bucknell University after the push for science education in high schools across our country that resulted after Russia's 1957 launching of Sputnik. Bald Eagle-Nittany math teacher Jess Long was her most supportive and most challenging teacher. She was the only girl in his higher math classes and graduated as BEN's valedictorian in 1959.

Sensenbrenner attended Bucknell University in Lewisburg, majoring in Biology. She excelled in the program, and qualified for a special program for two summers in genetic research at Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, Maine. She then entered Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine with 73 students, of which only five were females and received her MD degree in 1967. Judy had her internship and residency at the Hopkins affiliate, Baltimore City Hospital and then returned to Johns Hopkins Hospital for a two year fellowship in pediatric genetics.

Sensenbrenner is the author and co-author of many medical publications, including the first description of a rare genetic condition with multiple anomalies in two young siblings, now known as Sensenbrenner Syndrome.

Her nominator was unable to attend the ceremony, so Bottorf read his speech on his behalf.

Peters' speech was full of their shared history, reminiscing on their time together in Jess Long's class and other fond memories.

"Judy was a focussed and formidable student, she still is," read Bottorf. "She was usually the only girl in math classes at BEN taught by Jess Long -- (he) taught (us) how to use the slide rule. She was on the path to become a woman doctor before she even met a woman physician."

Peters' speech also noted how he tracked her down after so many years, citing the Internet as a valuable resource.

Sensenbrenner said that it was fun to get in contact with Peters again, and reminisced about other classmates with whom she shared many memories.

"(We) were the first people right after Russia put up Sputnik (in the first Science Fairs) -- suddenly schools in the United States decided they were interested in science. Before that, most of the really famous people in school were sports stars. I remember bringing back the first prize in biology, and suddenly we became stars. That was such an amazing thing -- somebody paid attention in school to somebody that was a scholar," said Sensenbrenner

She also told more specific memories about Jess Long, noting that "he was a wonderful teacher. He was funny and he taught us from his college books."

She also said after she graduated, he asked her to come by his office for a chat. As a graduation gift, he'd gotten her a years' subscription to The Scientific American magazine.

"I was shocked that he would do that. I kept that subscription up for at least 20 years afterwards as a tribute to him," said Sensenbrenner.

She also attributed her success -- particularly in music -- to her mother's devotion and love.

"(She) was one of 10 children. She didn't have a lot of money, but she went out and bought me a piano. It was an old upright piano -- my cousin still has that piano. That was my other big love in life," said Sensenbrenner.

The final inductee of the night was Martha Sykes, Bucktail Class of 1969, who was nominated by Rich Wykoff, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2022.

Sykes has dedicated her life to education, spending 33 years as a special education teacher at Renovo Elementary School.

18 years after her retirement in 2006, she continues to substitute for Keystone Central School District.

Sykes is not only active in the school district, going above and beyond regular classroom duties to orchestrate memorable experiences, she is also active in many aspects of her hometown.

She serves on the board of directors for many local projects, including: Western Clinton County Recreation Center, the Renovo Library and the Bucktail Medical Center. Sykes also serves as a Treasurer for the Council of Churches as well as the Chapman Township Fire Company.

She modestly comments she is "active" with the Greater Renovo Area Heritage Park, but according to those who have worked with her on this project, she has and remains instrumental in its success.

"What gets me in the heart about her... when Martha comes to the podium I can safely say that everybody there just relaxes. They know that she will have something personal to say about the individual we're honoring. She knows our community," said Wykoff.

He wrote a few paragraphs describing how Sykes fits into the community, noting that the "soul of a community" is woven together by the thread of its people through stories, laughter, tears shed and shared experiences.

"The soul of a community is not just a concept. It is a living, breathing entity that thrives on the connections forged between its inhabitants. It is a reminder that we're all in this together, bound by the invisible threads of humanity that make us who we are. Keepers of a community's spirit are rare. They hold a responsibility that goes beyond mere duty. It is a sacred task (that) requires dedication, empathy and a deep understanding of who we are as a community." said Wykoff, welcoming Sykes with a cheerful, "Go Bucks."

When Sykes took the podium, she spoke about the amazing school she's worked at for so many years, noting that she was humbled and honored by the nomination.

"(This) was something I never expected. What a wonderful family of teachers we have (at Renovo Elementary.) I remember one principal when he came to work there said, 'This is the best kept secret in Keystone Central.' Our school has always been amazing. I have been very blessed to be part of that faculty," said Sykes.

Sykes noted that she was fortunate to be able to go to college as a child 7 out of 9. She said her support system of her sisters and brothers have always been her "biggest cheerleaders."

She also gave a shout out to her former teacher friends, heritage park group, former principals and many familiar faces that came to support her.

When speaking about those who inspired her, Sykes said it goes way back to her mother.

"My mother was so proud that I went to college, and she was proud that I became a teacher. In elementary school I had a 5th grade teacher (named) Mrs. Good. I can remember her saying, 'Martha you're a very good reader.' It meant so much to me. I got a job at Keystone Central... I taught for 33 years and I wouldn't change it for the world," said Sykes.

Sykes spoke about how she still substitutes in the school despite her retirement.

"When something is in your heart and you love it that much, it's hard to give it up. Kids are our future. Every person matters in this world, and every child matters in a teacher's life," said Sykes.

Full tributes and backgrounds for this year's inductees can be found on their website, kcfoundation.com or on their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/KeystoneCentralFoundation

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