By KATHY CHANG
Staff Writer
METUCHEN — Nine graduates and two retired faculty members have been inducted into the inaugural Metuchen High School (MHS) Hall of Fame.
The high school’s principal, Bruce Peragallo, said that John Cathcart, director of athletics at MHS, broached the idea of an athletic hall of fame, and it evolved into five categories — Accomplished Professionals, Humanitarian and Service Contributor, Bulldog Spirit, Distinguished Faculty and Lifetime Recognition — showcasing a more global aspect of all school life.
On May 22, the inductees, spanning from the Classes of 1938-1985, were honored at a reception held at The Gran Centurions in Clark. Each recipient received a plaque.
Four graduates were inducted into the Accomplished Professionals category exhibiting an extraordinary level in his or her chosen profession. Inductees were Dr. Patricia Boyd, Class of 1983, a Hubble Space Telescope’s Deputy Project Scientist for Operations at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland; Dr. Scott S. Cowen, Class of 1964, 14th president of Tulane University in New Orleans where he led the rebuilding and remodeling programs at Tulane’s campuses after Hurricane Katrina; Gail Fisher, Class of 1954, first African-American woman to win an Emmy and a Golden Globe award for her work on the television show “Mannix” in the early 1970s; and Robert Hegyes, Class of 1969, an actor best known for playing Juan Epstein in the 1970s sitcom “Welcome Back Kotter.”
Fisher and Hegyes have since passed away, and family members attended the reception on their behalf.
Two graduates were inducted into the Humanitarian and Service Contributor category for demonstrating consistent and significant service to the local, state, national or world communities. Those inductees were Donald J. Wernik, Class of 1943, who served three terms as mayor in Metuchen and nine years as a Middlesex County freeholder, and Anthony Yelencsics, Class of 1938, who founded JFK Medical Center in Edison and served as mayor of Edison Township from 1958-1969 and from 1978-1989.
Both Wernik and Yelencsics served in the U.S. Marine Corps. Wernik served in the Pacific theater for 18 months during World War II, and Yelencsics, who passed away in 1989, earned a Purple Heart medal during his service.
Two star athletes were inducted in the Bulldog Spirit category for having made contributions that have had a lasting, positive effect. Arthur Flaherty, Class of 1985, who was the all-time boys’ basketball scoring leader with more than 2,000 points during his time at MHS, served on the Metuchen Board of Education for six and a half years and is currently a sergeant with the Metuchen Police Department. Joseph W. Prehodka, Class of 1959, was named MHS Athlete of the Year, lettering in football, basketball, baseball and track during his time at the high school.
John R. Novak and Ina Schlein were inducted into the Distinguished Faculty category for having a profound impact on the lives of MHS students. Novak served the Metuchen School District as a teacher, coach and administrator for 41 years, and Schlein, who has since passed away, served the district for 33 years as chairwoman of the English Department, drama coach and director of MHS’ Footlighters for 15 years. The high school auditorium is named after her.
Martin D. Jessen, Class of 1944, was inducted into the Lifetime Recognition category for making a valuable contribution to MHS and demonstrating high moral character, dignity and courage. Jessen is chairman of Metuchen Savings Bank and has volunteered thousands of hours to the Metuchen Chamber of Commerce, Metuchen Rotary Club, YMCA and Metuchen Reformed Church. He served in two wars — World War II and the Korean War — as a U.S. Navy reservist and is the author of “Marty’s Musings,” which are tales about the Great Depression, World War II, the Korean War and New Jersey.
Peragallo said a steering committee was formed in 2014, which included retired educators Diane Kuenzel, Mary Lou Roma and Frank Wagenblast as well as School Superintendent Vincent Caputo who created the different award categories.
With the help of Cathcart, the committee looked at various hall of fame policies at different high schools and colleges. Then the committee sought nominations for the Metuchen High School Hall of Fame, which were posted on the school’s website and social media outlets beginning last summer through September.
A committee was then formed to look over the nominations, and the 11 individuals were announced at halftime during last year’s Thanksgiving football game.
Peragallo said from this point on they will look to induct a new Hall of Fame class every other year. “Any nominations that we received will be active for five years,” he said.
Peragallo said the hope is for the Hall of Fame to grow, and in the future they hope to raise funds to provide a formal evening with dinner for the inductees.
MHS, which graduated its first class in 1910, established its hall of fame to honor alumni, employees and major contributors who have distinguished themselves by their achievements in scholarship, athletics, career, community service and society as a whole.
