Burnet school district recognizing alumni, former athletes with Hall of Honor

JENNIFER FIERRO • PICAYUNE STAFF

BURNET — Throughout the years, Burnet Consolidated Independent School District has had graduates, employees and board members who have brought honor to the school district.

Now BCISD wants to honor them in return.

During the regular meeting of the board Nov. 18, Superintendent Keith McBurnett told trustees that photos of people inducted into the district’s new Hall of Honor will be hung on a wall in the foyer of Burnet High School.

“I’m sure if they start running out (of space), they’ll find room,” school board President Andy Feild said.

“(The hall has) a lot of potential, and (I) hope it does well, and deservedly so. We need to toot our own horn.”

In October, McBurnett shared his idea for a Hall of Honor with the board, who signed off on the creation of one. Board members Jeff Hullum, Jim Luther and Charles Williams volunteered to serve on the planning committee.

During the regular meeting Nov. 18, McBurnett outlined the four categories for each class:

• distinguished Burnet High School graduate

• distinguished Burnet High School athlete

• distinguished former school board member

• distinguished former employee

All that’s left is for people to send in nominations.

The first class of the BCISD Hall of Honor will be introduced during the Burnet Chamber of Commerce banquet Feb. 6.

“We’re very excited to partner with them,” McBurnett said.

To qualify, each nominee has to have been graduated or removed from service or employment for 10 years. The graduate must have excelled professionally or personally and bring honor to the school district, while the athletes must have excelled in athletics while playing for Burnet High School or after graduation.

“Burnet schools, just like surrounding schools, have been around a long time,” Feild said. “We’ve produced a lot of outstanding students. The cream rises to the top. It’s an important thing. I think it helps get the message out that we are a good school district.”

The idea of a Hall of Honor started with Sen. Jack Johnson (R-Franklin, Tenn.), a 1986 Burnet High School graduate. He gave a talk in the city weeks ago, and many realized there wasn’t a way to honor him or other distinguished alumni, Feild said. And that’s how McBurnett got involved.

At the Nov. 19 meeting, McBurnett announced a nominating committee consisting of a current BCISD board member, a BCISD teacher, a BCISD administrator, a BCISD support staff member and three community members who will vote on which four will be members of the 2014 class.

“We’re very close to finalizing the committee,” he said.

Committee members will begin reading the each nomination, which includes an application and a 200-word essay, in early January. Go to www.burnet.txed.net to download the application.

One reason for the essay is that it will help in introducing the class member to the crowd, Feild said.

McBurnett said the goal is to know which distinguished alumni and service people make up the first class by Jan. 15.

“A lot of folks don’t realize we’ve had NFL players that came out in the early 1950s,” Feild said. “We’ve had a number of outstanding employees work for the school district.”

The professional ballplayers include Dudley Meredith, Doak Field, Stephen McGee and Jordan Shipley, all in football, and Rankin Johnson and Dustin Martin in baseball.

Photos of each class member will be hung on a wall in the foyer of the high school, McBurnett said.

Feild said he believes having four honorees is the right number.

“I think, after all, it’s for personal achievement,” he said. “I think that’s appropriate. And I think being gone 10 years is a good length of time.”

Inductees will be honored during the Burnet Chamber of Commerce dinner Feb. 6 along with a student and an educator.

“The chamber does everything we can to support our school district and welcomes any chance to increase interaction between the business community and our schools,” said Kim Winkler, executive director of the Burnet Chamber of Commerce. “When Superintendent McBurnett approached us about the new BCISD Hall of Honor, it seemed like a great way to take that collaboration one step further.

“We appreciate the opportunity to partner with BCISD in awarding alumnae, past board members and staff who have excelled either personally or professionally,” she added. “The recipients bring honor not only to the school district but to the community as well.”

In addition to honoring those who have excelled either through service to the district or as alumni, Feild said he hopes current BCISD students see it’s possible to dream big and achieve after leaving.

“If they knew the whole story, they’ll discover it wasn’t easy,” he said. “They did embark and actually succeed, and maybe their success will be motivation for any young person.”

jfierro@thepicayune.com