What's Up: Wall Highlights New Faces
by Ann Lamoureux and Katy Weller
One wall, one hall. Many faces, many achievements.
Although they may appear to be the same thing, the Wall of Fame and the Hall of Fame are meant to showcase different types of accomplishments of Marian athletes.
According to Mr. Roger Wright, coach and math teacher, in order to be pictured on the Wall of Fame an athlete must medal in the state event of their sport or be named to the first team Class A All-State. "The Wall of Fame allows athletes to be recognized as individuals," said Mr. Wright. For example, a swimmer who medaled in the state meet would be pictured on the Wall of Fame.
The purpose of the Hall of Fame is to display state championship teams and a few individuals who are the best in their sport. For instance, in order to have your picture on the Hall of Fame, a swimmer must be a member of the state championship team or named an All-American.
"I think the wall is important because when visitors come to our school, they can see our sports stars," said sophomore Sara Magnuson.
Junior Becca Hall agrees, "I think the wall of fame is a good way to show the accomplishments that our classmates have made."
While you were lounging on the poolside with your buds all summer long, the two masterminds behind this project, Miss Faye Ford, coach and teacher, and Mr. Roger Wright, were busy preparing for the wall. They spent long hours researching newspaper archives to find previous Marian athletes who excelled in their sports and deserved recognition. They reviewed records beginning in 1972, the first year of sports at Marian. "I think the Wall of Fame is an important addition to Marian because in the past, athletes that medaled in state meets didn't receive any recognition unless their team won a state championship," said Ms. Ford.
Miss Ronda Motykowski, a 1980 Marian graduate and gym teacher, is pictured on the wall for her achievements in the shot put, discus, and volleyball. "I feel honored to be pictured because I always wanted to be recognized on a wall," said Motykowski. Miss Ford and Mr. Wright sent former athletes of Marian who qualified a postcard informing them of their acceptance into the Wall of Fame. The athletes were then asked to submit an 8x10 high school picture to be displayed on the wall.
"Another nice thing about the Wall of Fame is that students get to see their classmateUs athletic achievements," said Ms. Ford. There are 13 current students pictured on the wall. They are: Leigh Carlson (swimming), Diana Coulton (swimming), Katie Eckholt (swimming), Melissa Faulk (tennis), Ellen Gerweck (soccer), Anna Jones (cross country, track), Danielle Koch (swimming), Nicole Mausbach (volleyball), Darcey Riha (golf), Amy Sibbernsen (volleyball), Laura Spanheimer (cross country, track), Mary Timmerman (cross country).
"It's a big honor to be pictured on the Wall of Fame because you walk down the halls and see yourself pictured on the wall and it makes me feel proud," said junior Anne Willret.
Along with the pictures of the athletes, there is also a wall of benefactors picturing people who donated money specifically to pay for the Wall of Fame. They include Mrs. Betty Marchese, Mr. Kenneth Miller, and the class of 1973.
But don't think that sports are the only accomplishments worthy of being showcased on the wall. Principal Miss Elizabeth Kish made an announcement that the school will soon be displaying past, present and future academic accomplishments on an academic Wall of Fame.