Margaretta inducts 5 into achievement hall of fame

CASTALIA — Margaretta Schools recently announced the five latest inductees into its achievement hall of fame. The hall of fame recognizes those who have graduated from the district and/or who have made major contributions to its success and/or society as a whole. Inductees are recognized for their academic, professional work, military and/or community service accomplishments. Here are this year's honorees LenAnn McGookey Gardner LenAnn McGookey Gardner is a 1969 graduate who continued her education at Bowling Green State University where she earned a bachelor's degree and Harvard Business School where she earned a master's degree. Through her career as a management consultant, she has: • Gone to 54 countries across six continents and currently consults in Europe, Asia, Africa, South America and several U.S. states • Received several titles • Served as a founder of Lenann McGookey Gardner Management Consulting, Inc. • Became a top-performing CEO • Recognized as an award-winning author and a certified speaking professional • Contributed to the launch of Mattel's Rainbow Brite doll and wrote two books, titled "Win More Clients" and "Got Sales: The Complete Guide to Today's Proven Methods for Selling Services" Outside of her profession, she serves in several leadership positions, like director of Church World Service, director and board chair of The Harbour School, director of the League of Women Voters of Central New Mexico, director of Cuidando Los Niños and as a Stephen Ministry Leader and Stephen Minister. Jamie Warren Jamie Warren is a 1982 graduate of Margaretta Schools. During his time, he was a member of the basketball, baseball and golf teams and was named MVP of the golf team his senior year. In other achievements, he was salutatorian of his class, a class officer and participated in numerous other extracurricular activities, including Academic Challenge, youth in government, junior achievement and theater. After graduation, Warren continued his education at Bowling Green State University and Case Western Reserve University where he graduated summa cum laude from both institutions. He went on to be a corporate attorney early in his professional career, then joined a privately owned company, serving as director of corporate development and CFO. Eventually, Warren obtained a California-based company where he served as president until he sold it about 10 years ago. Outside of his professional career, Waren coached basketball and baseball and contributed to the development of the Weiss Park Complex for the Avon Lake Baseball Federation. He is now active in commercial real estate development. Tim Niemeyer Tim Niemeyer supported the community and taught at the district for more than 34 years. Niemeyer coached several FFA career development event teams that placed at the state and national level. Beyond the local level, Niemeyer served as district chair for Agricultural Educators, state president of the Ohio Vocational Agricultural Teachers Association and the Ohio Association of Career and Technical Education. State and nationally, he served on several committees and attended multiple conferences. He is an adviser of the Margaretta Young Farmers, which hosted the State Summer Tour, inviting other state Young Farmers to learn about the area's agriculture. In 2004, he contributed to planning the National Association of Agricultural Educators Region 4 Conference in Sandusky. Niemeyer returned to the classroom in 2015-16 to start the middle school agriculture program. His connection to the school's agriculture extends to the volunteer work he put in on the school farm. Michael Shelley Michael Shelley is a 1969 graduate of Margaretta High School. He grew up in Crystal Rock while attending classes and being an active member of Grace Lutheran Church. In high school, Shelley was involved in several extracurricular activities, including president of his freshman class, a member of the student council and vice-president of his senior class. He lettered in varsity football and baseball and was chosen to attend Buckeye Boys State. After graduation, Shelley collected bachelor's, master's, masters and doctoral degrees from the University of Toledo, the Trinity Lutheran Seminary, the Lutheran School of Theology and the University of Birmingham, England. He also studied the Arabic language at the American University in Cairo, Egypt. Shelley became an ordained pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. He and his wife lived aboard for 25 years, mostly in Egypt where he served as the pastor of two international, interdenominational churches for a total of 13 years. In his last five years, he created and led a master 's-level graduate studies program and taught courses on Middle Eastern Christianity and Christian-Muslim relations. In 2003, he and his wife returned to the U.S. where he began working at the Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago. Here, he taught about Islam and Christian-Muslim relations and served in several administrative positions, including director of the doctor of ministry program, vice president and dean for academic Aafairs and director of the Lutheran School's center of Christian-Muslim Engagement for Peace and Justice. In his last four years in Chicago, he served as the part-time pastor of St. Andrew's Lutheran Church in Glenwood, Illinois. Throughout his career, he wrote several articles, essays and book reviews on several religious topics. In 2013, he was recognized as a Distinguished Alum in Christian Service. Shelley continues to serve as a pastor after retirement. Mark Vassar Mark Vassar is a 1979 graduate with a line of graduates in his family, including his mother and siblings. He was a three-year letterman in baseball and football and served as team captain for both his senior year. He was also a two-year letterman in basketball. Outside of athletics, he was involved in Boys' State, academic affairs, concert band, church dart ball league and consistently on the honor roll. After high school, Vassar earned a bachelor's degree from Ohio State University and an masters in business administration from Indiana University. Professionally, he has worked in global marketing and sales within the chemical industry. He spent close to 30 years in Atlanta before leaving for Charleston, South Carolina, where he plans to retire. Outside of work, Vassar is active in his Lutheran church, volunteers for organizations like Habitat for Humanity and the Coastal Conservation League and fundraises for the Atlanta Buckeye Club.