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Digital Hall of Fame

Interactive Biographies & Success Stories

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On-Campus Display: In addition to our digital archive, physical plaques honoring our Alumni, Educators, Sports Legends, and Teams of Distinction are displayed prominently on the GCS campus.

2025 Inductees

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Distinguished Educator Mark Leous Faculty Inductee

Distinguished Alumni Stephen Raiport Class of 1991

Sports Legend Robb Vogtli Class of 1993

Team of Distinction 1982 Boys Lacrosse State Championship

Mark Leous

Distinguished Educator | 2025

Coach Leous dedicated 34 years to teaching social studies at GCS, retiring in 2016. His coaching career spanned nearly four decades, including serving as head coach of Varsity wrestling for 29 years and coaching all levels of football. He is renowned for fostering family-like relationships with his students and athletes.

Stephen Raiport

Distinguished Alumni | 2025

Class of 1991. A first responder for over 35 years, Raiport currently serves as the fire chief of the Gowanda Volunteer Fire Department. He retired from the Gowanda Police Department after 24 years of service and is deeply involved in community events, including his annual portrayal of Santa Claus.

Robb Vogtli

Sports Legend | 2025

Class of 1993. A baseball standout who played professionally after stellar careers at ECC and St. Bonaventure. A shorthand All-American and two-year captain, he was eventually signed by the New York Yankees. He currently serves the educational community as a high school counselor.

1982 Boys Lacrosse

Team of Distinction | 2025

The 1982 team achieved a 10-1 regular season record, securing the Western New York League Championship and reaching the state semi-finals. Their historic season remains a benchmark for Gowanda athletics, inspiring future generations of lacrosse players.

2024 Inductees

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Distinguished Educator John Jarzynski Faculty Inductee

Distinguished Alumni Lavant M. Himelein III Class of 1967

Sports Legend Brad John Class of 1993

Team of Distinction 2008 Boys Cross Country Sectional Champions

John Jarzynski

Distinguished Educator | 2024

Mr. John Jarzynski took great pride in his 30 years of English education at GCS. In addition to teaching, he directed school plays and was known for his theatrical flair in the classroom, translating drama into engaging lessons. He is frequently remembered for his challenging "Anthology project" and introducing morning video announcements.

Jarzynski created an environment of respect and inspired many students to enter the field of education. He remains active in the Gowanda community with his family.

Lavant M. Himelein III

Distinguished Alumni | 2024

Inducted in 2024. A member of the Class of 1967, Himelein has dedicated his life to legal service and community leadership. His biography celebrates his achievements as a legal professional and his enduring connection to the Gowanda Central School District.

Brad John

Sports Legend | 2024

Class of 1993. Brad John excelled in football, basketball, and baseball at GCS. He was named MVP in all three sports and played Division 1 baseball at St. Bonaventure University. In football, he scored the touchdown that clenched the Panthers' first-ever Section VI Championship at Rich Stadium.

He now serves as the Director of the Cattaraugus Community Center, bringing his expertise in fitness and coaching to the Seneca Nation.

2008 Boys Cross Country Team

Team of Distinction | 2024

The 2008 team achieved an undefeated record of 28-0 and claimed the Section VI Class C Championship. Seven team members qualified for the NYS Championship, where they secured an impressive fourth-place team finish in the state.

Led by coaches David Bolen and Peter Palmer, the team demonstrated remarkable endurance and grit, setting a standard for GCS distance running.

2023 Inductees

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Distinguished Educator Stefanena Kysor Swim & Adult Education
(50+ Years)

Distinguished Alumni Carson Waterman Class of 1965

Sports Legend Jon Phillips Class of 1990

Team of Distinction Varsity Baseball 2008 Season

Stefanena Kysor

Distinguished Educator | 2023

For more than 50 years, Ms. Stefanena Kysor's mission was to educate children and provide swim lessons to the Gowanda community. As a K-12 certified Physical Education & Health teacher, she shared her passion for fitness and water exercise as an enormous asset to the district.

Her legacy includes the origination of the Gowanda WaveRunners Swim Team and the dedication of the GCS pool in her name, the "Stefanena Kysor Natatorium." At age 91, she was named Swimmer of the Year for Niagara Masters Swimming.

Carson Waterman

Distinguished Alumni | 2023

A 1965 graduate and renowned Native American Indigenous artist, Carson Waterman has spent his life sharing his Seneca heritage through art. A Vietnam veteran, he served as a combat artist for the US Army's Fourth Infantry Division.

His work has been displayed at the Smithsonian Institution and the New York State Museum. He has served as primary exhibit manager for the Seneca-Iroquois National Museum and remains a mentor artist for Gowanda CSD students.

Jon "Jonny" Phillips Jr.

Sports Legend | 2023

Class of 1990. Jonny was a standout tri-sport athlete earning MVP honors in football, basketball, and baseball. He was the first known GCS athlete offered a D1 baseball scholarship (St. Bonaventure) and was drafted by the Houston Astros as a pitcher.

Beyond his professional career, he dedicated his life to physical education and coaching, leading Orchard Park varsity baseball to multiple titles and a Class AA Sectional Championship in 2022.

Varsity Baseball Team

Team of Distinction | 2023

The 2008 Varsity Baseball team represented a golden era of Gowanda athletics. Achieving high-level success through teamwork and discipline, this squad brought pride to the district and established a legacy of excellence on the diamond that continues to inspire current student-athletes.

2022 Inductees

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Distinguished Educator Cynthia Ripley Music Teacher
1973-2006

Distinguished Alumni Tammie Horth-Ruzycki, RPh Class of 1996

Sports Legend David Markell Class of 1967

Team of Distinction Girls 4×400 Relay 1998 NYS Champions

Cynthia Ripley

Distinguished Educator | 2022

Cynthia Ripley was a full-of-energy music teacher who dedicated 33 years to Gowanda (1973-2006). She encouraged all students to join her famous 5th-8th grade school musicals. Following her retirement, she became a nationally recognized educational consultant.

As a master teacher for iTheatrics, she helped adapt Broadway shows for students, starting with "Annie, Jr." at Gowanda Elementary in 1985. Today, millions of people see "Broadway, Jr." shows annually, and Gowanda is where it all began.

Tammie Horth-Ruzycki, RPh

Distinguished Alumni | 2022

Tammie Horth-Ruzycki traced her medical career back to an afterschool job at Gowanda Pharmacy at age 15. After graduating from Albany College of Pharmacy in 2002, she returned to Gowanda as a pharmacist and eventually a supervising pharmacist.

In 2010, she opened Valley Pharmacy and Medical Supplies, continuing to serve her hometown by providing employment opportunities to GCS students pursuing medical careers. She is a dedicated business owner and alumna who gives back to her community.

David Markell

Sports Legend | 2022

Salutatorian of the Class of 1967, David Markell was a dominant track athlete and the Section VI Champion in hurdles. He still holds the Section VI record for 180-yard low hurdles. He continued his success at Roberts Wesleyan College, where he served as Student Association President.

David later served as a pastor for many years. His legacy remains through his academic excellence and athletic achievements that set high standards for future GCS athletes.

1998 Girls 4x400 Relay Team

Team of Distinction | 2022

Anne Palcic, Molly Palcic, Eva Hernandez, and Susie Jones formed the undefeated girls' Varsity 4-by-400 relay team that won the New York State Championship title in 1998. They finished with a perfect 10-0 record.

During that historic season, the foursome broke the GCS record four different times. Anne Palcic also attended States three years in a row, claiming an individual NYS Championship in the 400 meters.

2021 Inductees

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Distinguished Educator Carol Sheibley PE Teacher
1958-1982

Distinguished Alumni Max Graham Class of 2001

Sports Legend Deanna Hunt Class of 1992

Team of Distinction Varsity Football 1992 Season

Carol A. Sheibley

Distinguished Educator | 2021

Carol Sheibley is best remembered as a physical education teacher whose service to Gowanda Central Schools spanned over 34 years. She is well known for organizing the annual fifth-grade Field Day that existed through much of the 1980's and 90's.

She devoted over 60 years to the "Learn to Ski" program and served our community as a village trustee and member of the Gowanda Volunteer Fire Company for 18 years. She received the Spirit of Gowanda Community Service Award for her lifelong dedication.

Max Graham

Distinguished Alumni | 2021

Class of 2001. Max served in Operation Iraqi Freedom via the United States Marine Corps, earning the rank of sergeant. Upon returning, he became a patrol sergeant with the Cattaraugus County Sheriff's Department and an instructor at JCC.

A Panther through and through, he remains active coaching football and Little League and was elected to the GCS Board of Education in 2020 to continue making a difference for Gowanda students.

Deanna Hunt

Sports Legend | 2021

Class of 1992. An all-around outstanding athlete, Deanna lettered in volleyball, softball, and basketball, earning MVP honors 11 times. She continued her stellar career at Buffalo State College, where she was a two-time All-American and was inducted into their Hall of Fame in 2001.

A true example of athleticism and commitment, Hunt went on to umpire softball for the NCAA and continues to coach the game she loves to this day.

Varsity Football Team

Team of Distinction | 2021

The 1992 undefeated Panthers clenched their first-ever Section VI Championship at Rich Stadium. This legendary squad set a standard of excellence for Gowanda football that is still celebrated today, representing the pinnacle of teamwork and athletic achievement in district history.