12 Added to Renton High School Wall of Honor in 2013

About 250 people were expected to attend the 2013 Renton High School Wall of Honor Awards Ceremony Saturday, Oct. 5, which is honoring 12 people this year - 7 alumni and 5 Friends of Renton High School.

The “Wall of Honor” Program was developed by the Friends of Renton High School organization in conjunction with Renton High’s Centennial in 2011 during which thirteen “Distinguished Alumni” were honored and ten alums were named to the “RHS Athletic Hall of Fame”.

In 2012, a third category of honoree was added, “Friends of Renton High”, to honor those who may not be RHS alums but deserve honors for their significant contributions to the school and its students.

This year, those honored are:

2013 Distinguished Alumni

Bertram D. Thomas, PhD - Scientist (1919): Dr. Thomas’ life story is one of a brilliant young Renton boy whose hard work and perseverance in the face of adversity led to a highly successful and much-honored career as a scientist and ultimately, President of the Battelle Institute, one of the world’s
largest and most prestigious organizations.

Frank Aliment - Mayor of Renton (1927): Frank is a descendent of a pioneer family of Renton. He completed the business course at Wilson College and was part owner, manager and Club Pro at Maplewood Golf and Country Club. Additionally he was part owner of a successful sporting goods and tavern, the A&B Sportsman, in downtown Renton. He served on the Renton City Council and was elected Mayor of Renton in 1960.

Alex Cugini (1945) & Norma Denzer Cugini (1946) - Philanthropists for Renton Community: Norma and Alex have long been business and civic leaders, lending their time and experience to serve the Renton Community. Major patrons of the arts and local charities, they have helped create and
maintain several local organizations through generous gifts from the Cugini family.

Leland L. Burnett, MD - Leader of Radiology Development (1952): As the Chief of the Mason Clinic’s Department of Radiology for nearly twenty years he was a leader in developing new technologies to detect and treat diseases such as ALS. He has authored numerous papers and articles and was active in several Washington State Medical Societies. He was an active member of many medical advisory boards.

Ronald L. Hicklin - Studio Singer (1956): Ron’s achievements in the Hollywood music industry as a performer, producer, director, and studio owner were outstanding and legendary. He was an award-winning producer of commercials and an innovator who created Killer Music and Killer Tracks, top music libraries which he sold on retiring from the industry.

Gary P. Brinson - Financial Manager, Investor (1961): Gary earned his BA in Finance from Seattle
University and his MBA at WSU. An early advocate of “asset allocation” policies on an international basis, he became the investment manager for UBS, then the world’s largest bank. Gary’s remarkable, highly successful career has earned him the respect of his peers and considerable wealth, which he is using in large part for philanthropic purposes.

2013 Athletic Hall of Fame

Patty Van Wolvelaere–Weirich - Two Time Track Olympian (1968): Patty won her first US National Championship as a sophomore at RHS setting an American record in the 200 meter hurdles. As a junior she won the indoor National title and set another American record in the high hurdles. Her senior year, she again won the indoor National title and set a World record. In college, running for USC, Patty made the US Olympic team and place 4th in Mexico City with a new American record in the 80 meter hurdles. On her 2nd Olympic team in 1972, she took 9th in Munich. From 1970 to 1980 traveling the world, she won 4 more National Championships, setting 4 more American records. Patty retired in 1980 and was the first woman elected to the USC Track & Field Hall of Fame. In 1981 Patty became one of the first six women firefighters in San Diego’s Fire Dept. She retired from fire fighting in 2005.

2013 Friends of Renton High School

Richard M. Houser - RHS Vocal Music Teacher (1963–'86): Richard led the RHS Choir and ensembles for 23 years. His musical groups toured Washington and Oregon performing at high schools and colleges. Locally, his Choirs performed for service organizations, nursing homes and athletic events,
including a performance at the Seattle Opera house. In 1970, the Choir was honored as “Singing Ambassadors for the State of Washington” at Expo ’70 in Osaka Japan. For many years after retiring he continued to direct the “Alumni Choir” exerting positive influence on his students and community.

Irvin T. Leifer - RHS Basketball Coach (1947–'77): Irv was head basketball coach at RHS for 30
years. He will be remembered as the first man to coach 4 state championship teams. A charter
member of the NAIA Hall of Fame, he is also a member of the Washington State Basketball Coaches Hall
of Fame. In 1977, his final year of coaching, he was honored by the WIBCA as the “3A” Coach of the Year. Leifer taught a variety of classes from math and science, to PE and provided a positive influence and lasting example for students, staff and community.

McLendon Family - Community Service: Being involved in the community has long been a priority for the McLendon Family. A dozen family members graduated from RHS. McLendon Hardware supports many local school activities and organizations. Family members belong to the Chamber of Commerce, Rotary, Kiwanis, Soroptimist, and Friends of RHS. McLendon’s has been a major supporter of Renton River Days
activities and now co-sponsors the annual event. Additional community contributions include food drives and a community trailer full of tools for neighborhood projects. Renton is a better place having McLendon Hardware in the community.

Randall Rockhill - RHS Band Director (1939–'73):  Randy was well–known throughout the state’s
musical education community for his pursuit of musical excellence at RHS. Earning his music degree at the UW, he became the RHS Band Director. During his years at Renton, the district’s music program was the state’s top. RHS bands received a Superior score in each of the 25 years he was a conductor. Randy started a program in the RSD to introduce and develop students for band. In the 4th grade any student interested could join the band at their elementary school. His legacy lives on today in the Renton City Concert Band, and in The Randall Rockhill Student Instrumental Music Fund. Our community is
richer thanks to Mr. Rockhill and his love of music.

Loretta Delaurenti Starkovich (1952) & Joe Starkovich - Philanthropists for Renton High School: Loretta & Joe have supported and contributed to football, basketball, baseball, track, wrestling,
speech and debate, cheerleaders, camps for students, and team travels. They purchase all the new gym banners for both boys and girls sports activities and update them as required. For more than 10 years they have given seed money, $1000 or more each year, to the Friends of RHS. They have devoted many
hours to support school activities and improvement. Renton High is a better place because of their support and dedication.

More information: The Awards Committee of the Friends of RHS organization actively solicits nominations of persons or groups for recognition and honors in this Program. Nomination forms will be available on request, together with Program guidelines, by contacting our organization at the address listed below. Awards may be made posthumously. Nominations will remain viable indefinitely and may be revised as deemed necessary for the future Award Ceremony consideration. Current guide-lines limit eligibility of nominees to those who graduated ten or more years prior to the year of their nomination for an award.

In addition to receiving personalized wall plaques, honoree’s names will be added to a permanent “Wall of Honor” display we plan to have mounted in the Renton High Commons. The display will have honoree’s name, picture, a brief biography and note the field of achievement for which the honor was awarded.

We encourage RHS grads to join out Friends of RHS organization and the Awards Committee. Please contact any of our members here today or at Friends of Renton High School, PO Box 4011, Renton, WA 98-57 if you are interested.

- All information provided by Friends of Renton High School