I wanted to share his day with those who care about him. Being recognized by your high school has to hit the top of the list of meaningful moments of one's life. He truly feels this way. When he got the letter announcing his selection he said, "I'm stunned."

Worthington (Ohio) Schools, where Carl graduated from high school, created this year (for the 1st time) a "Distinguished Alumni of Worthington Schools" award. Worthington was a rather small town when Carl grew up, but it's now a large city adjacent to Columbus. There are 2 high schools now with each graduating over 500 students every year.

This morning Carl was inducted, along with 7 other Worthington graduates, as the 1st group into this distinguished alumni group. Carl and the other 7 became the inaugural group of honorees. They were honored at the school convocation with about 1,000 people attending. As each recipient was announced and given their plaque the audience stood and applauded. An amazing moment. They'll have their photos and bios hung in the Worthington Schools office. There will be a newspaper article published as the press was there too.

Carl knew several of the inductees. Below are the names of the 8 with the short bio that was written in the program. When you get to Carl's there is more info. included as this information will also be included with the wall photo. The same will be true for the rest of the group.

Dr. George H. Bonnell, Jr. (1913-1997) - 1931 graduate - was a WWII veteran who returned to Worthington and joined his father in the practice of medicine, with their offices in the building in front of the family home on the SE corner of the Village Green. In 1975, Dr. Bonnell closed his Worthington office and became the first faculty member in the new Department of Family Medicine at the OSU College of Medicine. Dr. Bonnell served on the Worthington Board of Education beginning in 1952. During his 20 years of service, he was instrumental in the growth of the district by eight new buildings. Dr. Bonnell served on the WHS Athletic Board from 1952-1972, was a team doctor for WHS for two decades, and was a founding board member of Swiminc.

This was Carl's (and his family's) physician. Carl told a few the story of getting hit by a pitch in the side of the face during a Worthington High School baseball game and being rushed over to Dr. Bonnell's home. Dr. Bonnell examined Carl in his driveway checking to see if Carl needed stitches. He did not. Dr. Bonnell used a butterfly bandage to close the open wound.

Paul Snouffer - 1939 - was influenced by then Principal H.C. McCord to enroll in the OSU School of Architecture. While attending OSU, he was an Army reservist and was called to service in WWII. After the war, he completed his degree from OSU and went on to form Lawrence and Snouffer Architects that designed and remodeled many buildings and additions including Colonial Hills, KMS, Brookside, Worthington Hills and Dow Nelson Field House. Paul served as a member of the committee to incorporate the city of Worthington in 1953 and was an early leader of the Worthington Cardinal Boosters. He also served as president of the Worthington High School Alumni Thirty Year Club and still resides in Worthington.

Bob Foster - 1948 - is a Korean Conflict veteran and spent his career in Public Service. For thirteen years he was on the Distinguished Foreign Visitors and Presidential detail of the Secret Service. He was with the Kennedy children in DC when JFK was shot in Dallas and in the films of the funeral procession, he can be seen walking behind the family. After retiring from the Secret Service, he was appointed U.S. Marshall for the southern district of Ohio. After 13 years as Marshall, he was appointed Sergeant of Arms for the Ohio House of Representatives, serving in that position for six years. He currently is a resident at First Community Village.

Carl and Bob knew one another & renewed acquaintance this morning. Bob has many fascinating Secret Service related stories and tells them well.

Carl Wick - 1956 - is a retired executive of NCR Corporation where his most recent position required him to be responsible for the training and development of 4,500 product development engineers in over 20 NCR plants worldwide. He began his work in education as a science teacher and high school basketball and football coach. Carl was appointed by Governor Bob Taft to the Ohio State Board of Education in 2001 and currently co-chairs the State Board's Capacity Committee, the Board's Quality High School Committee and the State Board's Quality High School Task Force He was awarded the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers Citation of Honor for leadership contributions to engineering education and career development.

Wick is vice chairman of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati Board of Directors, the 2nd largest bank in assets serving Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee. The Federal Home Loan Bank system is over $1-trillion in assets and the nation’s largest advancer of mortgage money to member banks. He also serves as the chair of the Bank Board's Information Technology Committee and is a member of the Community Housing Committee and a representative to the Council of Federal Home Loan Banks in Washington, D.C.

He’s a member of the Board of Directors of the Ohio Harness Horseman's Association and is a partner/owner in Gwinnie Lou Stables, a standardbred horse breeding and harness racing farm.

Wick is past president of the Oakwood Kiwanis Club, Oakwood, Ohio, and a past member of the Dayton Area United Way cabinet. In 1989 he was selected as the Dayton Area United Way outstanding volunteer. He was the advisor to his college fraternity’s chapter at the University of Dayton and was recognized by the university as the top student organization advisor twice. He holds the Sheriff Gary Haines Memorial Award for Outstanding Public Service in Montgomery County, Ohio. He was an Ohio delegate to the 2005 White House Conference on Aging.

Wick also taught computer science and business courses as an adjunct instructor in three colleges: Lake County Community College (Illinois), Wright State University and Antioch University.

Betty Montgomery - 1966 - has spent her entire career focused on protecting Ohio's most vulnerable citizens. She has prosecuted criminals, helped victims, protected taxpayers, reshaped Ohio law, and continues to work as Ohio's first woman Auditor of State. She is a candidate for the post of State Attorney General in November. Betty has also served the public as a criminal prosecutor, Ohio State Senator, and Ohio's first woman Attorney General. She has been recognized for excellence in service and advocacy including receiving the Best Brief Award for briefs filed with the U.S. Supreme Court for an unprecedented six years in a row. She received four national awards for the innovative WebCheck background check program and was awarded the Consumer Agency Achievement Award from the National Association of Consumer Agency Administrators.

Carl has worked with Betty on many occasions. Betty has been recognized as the top state attorney general in the United States several years in a row. She ran for governor in the primary this past spring but did not win.

Bob Hill - 1967 - is an NBA veteran and is in his first full season as head coach for the Seattle Sonics. He joined the Sonics staff with 30-plus years of basketball coaching experience including stints in the NBA, CBA, NCAA and international competition. From 1994 through 1996, Bob led the San Antonio Spurs to a record of 121-43, won two division titles and guided his team to the Western Conference Finals in 1995. Most recently he was head coach at Fordham University from 1999 through 2002. Bob has inspired both players and coaches throughout his career and is the author of the book, "Coaching for Success and Beyond."

Bob was unable to attend as the Sonics new draftees were welcomed by him in Seattle. Pre-season practice begins soon.

John P. McConnell - 1972 - is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Worthington Industries. Since being named to this position in 1993, John has launched a strategic plan based on the company focusing on its core strengths in the steel industry. He has positioned the company for worldwide growth through numerous international acquisitions and recently unveiled a new brand identity program. His impact in the company through the years has contributed to the company's recognition by Fortune Magazine as one of the "100 Best Companies to Work For." Worthington Industries operates under the philosophy of "We treat our customers, employees, investors and suppliers, as we would like to be treated." John is active in numerous community organizations, serves on many boards and has authorized many contributions and donations to Worthington Schools.

Claire Shipman - 1980 - began her broadcast career as a production assistant and intern at CNN's bureau in New York. Shipman's Moscow coverage helped CNN earn a National Headliners Award and her reporting on the aborted Soviet coup and 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union won the network a coveted Peabody Award. Claire has been a White House correspondent for NBC News since 1997. She regularly reported on presidential policy and politics for the NBC Nightly News with Tom Brokaw and the Today show. In 2001, she joined ABC News' Good Morning America as the show's senior national correspondent and also serves as a substitute anchor on the news segments of Good Morning America."

Carl was interviewed by Claire in 2000 in Philadelphia.

As you can see, this is quite an impressive group of people. Carl was thrilled to be an honoree. After the ceremony a reception was held and teachers and some local residents joined the honorees for a time of stories and remembrances. It was fun for me too. Carl's well known smile never left his face. He won't ever forget this day. He had a wonderful time.