Reminder: Hall of Fame in 16 days

Join me in congratulating the 2012 Association of Godby Graduates (AGG)
Hall of Fame Inductees. The AGG Hall of Fame recognizes graduates for their
lifetime accomplishments and contributions. These individuals exemplify the
contributions Amos P. Godby High graduates have made to City, State and
Country.
The Hall of Fame committee has selected an outstanding slate of graduates
to be inducted this April.

The 2012 honorees are:

Mrs. Mary Jean Yon (Curles) c/o ’74, Civic/Philanthropic
Ms. Kathy Corder (Miller) c/o ’76, Educator
Mr. Todd Sperry c/o ’78, Business
Mr. Shantanu Basu PhD. c/o ’82, Professional
Mrs. Debbie Shearer (Orth) c/o ’82, Medical/Health
Coach Darius Jones c/o ’96, Sports/Athletics


Please plan to join the AGG on Friday, March 30, at 5:30 p.m. to help
celebrate this new slate of Association of Godby Graduates Hall of Fame
inductees. Tickets are $15 each. All proceeds support the AGG scholarship
fund. The Godby High National Honor Society students will serve and be
recognized.
Contact me, Manny Joanos, at [log in to unmask] , or call 559-3404 for
more information and tickets.

The Bios:

Mary Jean (Curles) Yon, Environmental Consultant, Audubon Florida, Class of
1974. (Category: Civic/Philanthropic). Upon leaving Godby one year early as
part of FSU's early admissions program, it's almost as though Mary Jean
knew what had to be done and couldn't wait to get started. Must save the
environment! She went straight to the Department of Environmental
Protection and spent the next 30 years trying to achieve that goal. She now
works for Audubon Florida as an environmental lobbyist spreading that same
message. In her spare time, she runs and is very active in the Gulf Winds
Track Club which is committed to community service. For the past 20+ years,
she and her husband David have directed the Tallahassee Turkey Trot which
is a true community event that benefits the Refuge House, The Shelter and
the Boys & Girls Club of the Big Bend. The 2011 race netted $30,000 to be
shared among those three groups as well as a U-Haul truck filled with non-
perishable food items, clothing, etc.

Kathy (Miller) Corder, LCS Curriculum Services, c/o 1976. (Category:
Educator). This former Anchor Club member continues to give back to her
community. Armed with a Masters of Science (FSU), Kathy set her path on a
teaching career that led to her to be selected by her peers in 2006 as
the “Leon County Teacher of the Year”. During her years at Chiles High,
Kathy taught AP World History, Pre AP Semantics and Logic, Gifted/Honors
English and Debate. She sponsored the Mock Trial Team, the Junior Class and
was a member of the School Advisory Council. Kathy’s tireless devotion to
classroom instruction is an inspiration for us all.

Todd Sperry, CEO Oliver Renovations and Kimmel Development. c/o 1978.
(Category: Business). Don’t let the Speedo’s in Todd’s year book fool you.
This guy is for real. Todd’s business career is exemplary. After Todd laid
a solid educational foundation with a Bachelors of Science degree in
Construction from University of Florida, he then came back to Tallahassee
and led the family business, Sperry and Associates, to record sales. Todd
then led St. Joe Company, as V.P. of Construction, in its quest to crack
the housing market in North Florida. The small village of Southwood comes
to mind. Todd is additionally very proud of his role with the HGTV Dream
House of 2003. Oh yes, almost forgot, one of Todd’s highest honors is to
have been elected as Chairman (2010-11) of the Greater Tallahassee Chamber
of Commerce.

Shantanu Basu, Department Chair / Professor, Department of Physics and
Astronomy, University of Western Ontario. c/o 1982. (Category:
Professional) It’s not rocket science. Well, yes it is for Shantanu. You
had to know that this valedictorian was destined for the stars. Having
completed his Doctoral Degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana in
1993, Shantanu has become renowned world wide in the field of astronomy.
Dr. Basu has authored nearly 50 publications in the field of physics and
astronomy. My favorite: “Formation of Collapsing Cores in Sub Critical
Magnetic Clouds”.  Shantanu’s resume is 12 pages long, all above my pay
grade.

Debbie (Orth) Shearer, PGA Tour Management. c/o 1982. (Category:
Medical/Health) The thing that divides the men from the boys, in this case
the women from the girls, is how one responds in times of difficulty.
Debbie is one of those persons that will emerge from phone booth wearing a
cape. In 2006 Debbie lost her 22 year old son, George, in a fatal
automobile accident. This is obviously a devastating blow for any parent.
Debbie’s response to this life changing moment became a life changing
moment for six others. You see, upon George’s death, Debbie was called to
the not for profit organization called “Alliance for Paired Donations”.
Through this organ donor organization Debbie began a chain of life by
donating one of her own kidneys to save the life of another in the memory
of her son George.  This selfless act led to five other living donors that
saved five other lives. Debbie has truly become one of life’s caped
crusaders.

Darius Jones, Godby High School Guidance Counselor and Track Coach, c/o
1996. (Category: Sports/Athletics) For the first 7.25 hours of each day,
Darius coaches students in the importance of making good grades and
aspiring for further education beyond their years at Godby. Darius then
dons his coaching shorts and heads for the track. Don’t underestimate
Darius young career, for he has already distinguished himself as one of
Florida’s best field events coach. An exemplary decathlete himself, his
attention to technique is extraordinary and this has proven to be the
winning combination; talent, paired with excellent coaching will equal
state champions. Darius to date has coached five young Cougars to a State
Championship. Two triple jumpers, a long jumper, a shot putter and one pole
vaulter.