More than 100 Perrysburg alumni, family members, friends, teachers, coaches, and community members came out on Saturday, May 9 to celebrate the inaugural class of Outstanding Alumni of Perrysburg Schools. The 16 honorees were recognized for their contributions to the world of business, arts, education, medicine, their community, and family.

The Perrysburg Alumni Association Advisory Council sought nominations and then a committee, made up of Rick Schnittker ’70, Ryan Sherman ’92, and Ellen Schaff Main ’00, narrowed the dozens of nominations down to the 16 recipients. Graduates from the 1940s through the 1990s were chosen who now live in seven different states and two continents.

Each recipient gave a short acceptance speech and commented about how Perrysburg Schools, classmates, teachers, and the community itself played an important role in their current success. Joe Balderas ’70 had a poignant statement, “When my mother passed away I bought her house and gave it to my daughter, I wanted my granddaughter to have the experience of growing up in Perrysburg and going to Perrysburg Schools.”

“This is a remarkable group of Yellow Jackets,” said Perrysburg Superintendent Tom Hosler, “not only for the successes they have had in their careers, but more importantly for the outstanding people they are. We thank them for making Perrysburg proud.”