The first-ever Edgewood High School Hall of Fame Inducation… (NICOLE MUNCHEL, Aegis Staff )
June 02, 2011|By AEGIS STAFF REPORT
Eight alumni, six former staff members and a community supporter were inducted as charter members of the Edgewood High School Hall of Fame during a ceremony at the school Wednesday afternoon held in conjunction with the 2011 commencement.
The 15 inductees, several whose names have become synonymous with the 57-year-old school, were selected by the Edgewood High Alumni Association and the school administration from among the more than 30 candidates nominated based on their extraordinary contributions to the success of the school and their accomplishments elsewhere.
When the charter members were announced in April, EHS Principal Larissa Santos said the Hall of Fame will serve as a way to honor those former students, staff members and community leaders who have exerted a lasting influence on the success of the school. In addition, she said, the school can take pride from their contributions.
"We are excited about recognizing the example these stalwarts have set for our current students and staff," Santos said. "Their contributions to the development of our school over its 57 years of existence cannot be overstated."
"We are just beginning to scratch the surface of those who deserve to be enshrined in the EHS Hall," Don Morrison, chair of the Alumni Association EHS Hall of Fame Committee and a 1962 graduate of the school, said when the first class was announced. "Our review committee was so impressed with the accomplishments of those alumni and former staff members as well as the extraordinary contributions of community leaders who were nominated."
The 15 first Hall of Fame members were inducted during an afternoon assembly in the school's auditorium and also honored in a dinner/reception at the school.
The group was also recognized during commencement exercises for the Class of 2011 in the school gymnasium, the first graduation ceremony at the new school building, which opened at the start of this school year.
The late Dr. Earl J. Lightcap, Jr., the school's first principal, was to be represented by his sisters and nephews. Alumna and former EHS teacher Carol L. Barker was to be represented by the school's retiring Finance Academy Coordinator Carolyn Kustanbauter. Barker was out of the country on a previously scheduled excursion.
Plaques will be placed on a central school wall in a permanent display describing briefly the accomplishments and contributions of each Hall of Fame member, Morrison said.
Charter members of the EHS Hall of Fame are:
Alumni
Carol L. Barker, Class of 1960 - A three-sport star at EHS, Barker earned her bachelor of arts from Milligan College and master's from Towson University. She taught physical education and history at Edgewood High from 1967 to 1984 and coached three sports. She was chair of the Physical Education Department, National Honor Society sponsor and prom sponsor among other student-life leadership roles. She also taught and coached at Bel Air High School from 1984 through her retirement in 1995. Barker was Music Department chair at Mountain Christian Church for 15 years and a member of the Sports & Adventure Council for 10 years. She is a life member of the Abingdon Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary and past president of the Harford County and Abingdon Fire Company ladies auxiliaries. She is a 10-year member of the Board of Advisors for Milligan College. Barker was inducted into the Harford County Public Schools Educator Hall of Fame in October 2003. (She is also being inducted as a former staff member in the EHS Hall.)
Howard K. McComas III, Class of 1961 - McComas played junior varsity basketball at EHS while working evenings in the family's mortuary business. As a dedicated member of the Boy Scouts, he earned the rank of Life Scout and is past-program chair for the BSA Harford District. After graduation from Eckles College with a degree in mortuary science, McComas operated McComas Funeral Home from 1971 through his recent semi-retirement and continues providing service in the business now operated by his children in the fifth generation business. He served with the National Mortuary Disaster System and is a life member and past board member of the State Funeral Directors Association. McComas is a 40-year member and past secretary of the Century Lions Club of Edgewood, where he was recipient of the Melvin Jones Fellowship award. He is a charter member of the Edgewood Elks Club and a lifelong member of the Izaak Walton League. He is a life member and past assistant chief of the Abingdon Volunteer Fire Company and a past member of the Harford Fire Chiefs Association. McComas sponsored personally and through his firm many EHS programs, including scholarships, the post-graduation transportation program, purchase of bleachers/scoreboard/sports calendars and many others contributions. (McComas is also being inducted in the community service category.)
