Four inducted into the Greenup County School District Hall of Fame

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By Joseph Pratt

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Members of the Greenup County School District (GCSD) have carefully considered nominations for new entries into the GCSD Hall of Fame, and have decided to add four names to it. The four new inductees include Candy Berry, Nora Black, Terry Craft, and John Younce.

Candy Berry is somewhat of a national celebrity in the competitive world of cheerleading, where she has coached Greenup students into bringing home 15 national titles from the Universal Cheerleaders Association Cheerleading Championships. Berry was added to the Hall of Fame for her 38 year commitment to Greenup Schools, where she has coached over 1,000 students, despite being offered lucrative jobs across the country.

“Candy is a living legend,” Superintendent Sherry Horsley said. “She is Greenup County cheerleading and her girls are forever changed through her leadership.”

Elizabeth Williams, niece of Nora Black, accepted the honor on behalf of her late aunt. Black was added to the Hall of Fame for her historic commitment to the school district.

Her time in the district began in elementary school, when she attended a one-room, segregated schoolhouse in Greenup, before leaving in the eighth grade, when all black students were sent to Ashland’s Booker T. Washington High School. After graduating in 1941, she attended Kentucky State College for Negroes before returning to Greenup to teach in the segregated one-room school. When Greenup High School opened its doors to black students in 1955, she played an instrumental role in transitioning. By 1963, all Greenup schools were integrated and Black joined the elementary school as a teacher.

“Ms. Black taught the value of learning, self-worth and honesty, and served as a mentor to many students and staff over the years,” Horsley said. “She was known and respected throughout the area for her teaching abilities and her perseverance in overcoming obstacles to become successful.”

Terry Craft, a 1972 graduate of McKell High School, was also honored. The inductee enlisted in the U.S. Army and served for seven years. During his time in the military, he began to umpire baseball games. After his military discharge, he attended the Bill Kinnamon Umpire School. From 1979 to 1986, Terry worked in several minor leagues. He broke into Major League Baseball as a reserve umpire in 1987. Mr. Craft served as a professional baseball umpire in the American League from 1987 to 1999 and worked throughout both major leagues from 2000 to 2006.

He umpired 1,734 major league games in his 20 year career, including two no-hitters, a Major League Baseball All-Star Game, an American League Championship Series, and two Division Series.

Craft was not at the ceremony, and Bob Bryson accepted the award on his behalf.

John Younce was honored for his longstanding commitment to Greenup Schools, where he served as a coach, teacher, and administrator. After graduating McKell High School in 1966, he played football at Eastern Kentucky and the University of Tennessee. After serving in the Navy, Younce returned to Greenup and became a volunteer football coach while completing his undergraduate degree at Morehead State University.

Younce started his teaching and coaching career at Greenup County High School in 1977, where he helped the Musketeers earn a state football championship. Younce’s career in the Greenup County School District spanned over thirty years, including roles as teacher, coach, principal, district administrator, and finally, superintendent. During his time as superintendent, he was recognized as the Administrator of the Year by the Kentucky School Counselor Association and the Superintendent of the Year.

The four individuals inducted to the Greenup County School District Hall of Fame came after weeks of discussions on the nominations submitted before the Aug. 28 deadline. The four new members were inducted into the Hall of Fame on September 25, 2015. Inductees were chosen by an independent panel of Hall of Fame members and district administration.

“We want people who have been standout members of the community in Greenup County. This is an opportunity for them to be in a group that honors them for their success. It is also an opportunity that allows these people to work together, as a team, to do more good for the area,” Horsley said. “We want to give these people a platform to be role models on for our students and give representation of all the things they can accomplish.”

Reach Joseph Pratt at 740-353-3101, ext. 1932, or by Twitter @JosephPratt03.

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Submitted photo From left to right, Libby Williams, Candy Berry, John Younce, and Bob Bryson (accepting on behalf of Terry Craft).
http://portsmouth-dailytimes.aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2015/10/web1_GCHS.jpgSubmitted photo From left to right, Libby Williams, Candy Berry, John Younce, and Bob Bryson (accepting on behalf of Terry Craft).

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