Ex-principal moving into hall of fame

TPS mentor guided transition into new Woodward High

Former Woodward High School principal Emilio Ramirez earned his place in the school’s hall of fame through his leadership when the old building was razed and students and staff moved into the new building a 100 feet away in 2010.

At age 41, Emilio Ramirez is not exactly at the end of his career as an educator, but his accomplishments a few years ago as principal at Woodward High School — during a crucial time in the school’s history — helped make him one of six 2014 inductees into the school’s Hall of Fame.

Mr. Ramirez was Woodward’s principal in 2010, when the students and staff moved into the North Toledo school’s new building 100 feet from its old structure, which was razed. He was Woodward principal from 2006 to 2013, and did a stint as dean of students at the school before that.

He still is with the Toledo Public Schools, holding the position of “principal mentor/​facilitator,” which has him helping new principals and assistant principals learn the ropes.

The Hall of Fame dinner will be at the Inverness Club, 4601 Dorr St., on Saturday evening. Tickets, which include dinner, are $45 per person and can be purchased through today by calling Michelle Jacob at 419-474-2131.

The evening will begin with cocktails from 5:30 to 6:15 p.m. Dinner starts at 6:15, with the induction at 7:45 and a social time beginning at 9:15. The master of ceremonies will be Ed Johnson, Woodward class of 1971 and Hall of Fame member.

The other 2014 inductees are:

Thomas Papps, class of 1949: He is an attorney and author who has handled cases at the municipal, state, and federal levels and before the U.S. Supreme Court.

Richard Murphy, class of 1960: A retired Toledo police officer, Mr. Murphy was best known for his “30-second sound bite” as the department’s public information officer. He was a sworn officer for more than 41 years, serving in Oregon, with the Lucas County Sheriff's Office, and with the Fort Lauderdale, Fla., police. He retired from the Toledo police as a sergeant.

Mark Kowalski, class of 1983: Mr. Kowalski is the U.S. Agency for International Development director in Zambia, where he coordinates the health-care system for the African country's defense forces.

Gary Mayesky: He will be inducted posthumously. Mr. Mayesky was a longtime teacher, coach, and administrator at Woodward who died in 2008 at age 45. He taught math and coached football, baseball, and basketball.

Augustus “Gus” Benjamin: He also is a posthumous inductee. Although not a Woodward graduate, Mr. Benjamin lived near the school and was an ardent supporter of the Polar Bears for much of his life. He enthusiastically assisted at the school and encouraged students at every opportunity. He was given a lifetime Woodward sports pass and the privilege of riding on team or band buses.

The deadline for 2015 nominations is July 1. Nominations can be made at woodwardhalloffame.com. A nomination form can be obtained by emailing secretary@woodwardhalloffame.com.