FREDERICKTOWN — The Fredericktown school district inducted five high school alumni into its Distinguished Alumni Hall of Honor in a ceremony on Friday at the high school. It was the district’s sixth induction ceremony.
Superintendent Gary Chapman said the ceremony recognizes the outstanding achievements of FHS graduates. It also pays tribute to the legacy of the school’s teachers, staff, families, and community, and testifies to the impact of public education and why so many are proud to be a Freddie.
Chapman said the inductees “walked the same halls, sat in the same classrooms, and considered their futures” just as students do now.
“Their journey from a high school student to where they are now is a powerful reminder that your time here at Fredericktown is just the beginning of your own unique path,” he told the students.
Speaking to the inductees, Chapman quoted Jim Peterson, former superintendent and founder of the Hall of Honor, who said, “Thank you for bringing glory and honor to our school district and village. Thank you for making us all proud to be friends. And most importantly, thank you for showing all of us that you can make a difference in the world, even if you are from a small town.”
David Dalrymple, PhD: Class of 1958
Doctor David Lawrence Dalrymple graduated from FHS in 1958. He passed away in 2022.
A member of the National Honor Society, clarinet player, and student at MIT, The Ohio State University, Vermont, and Harvard, Dalrymple grew up on a dairy farm west of town.
“David is no longer with us, but his legacy is very much alive and is in the school, the community, and around the world, where we still see the benefits of his work,” close friend Roger Davis said.
Davis said Dalrymple left Fredericktown with two powerful goals: to make a better life for himself and a good living, and make the world a better place.
Dalrymple was a college professor, author, scientist, and inventor. His research led to two patents and breakthroughs in hearing aids and MRI technology.
“Think about that for a moment. A young man who once walked the halls of FHS helped create technology that continues to touch millions,” Davis said.
Dalrymple returned to Fredericktown after he retired and made a difference by doing what Davis called “simple things”: donating blood and free tax preparation.
“David Dalrymple set an example for all of us. He learned, he worked, he set goals, he made mistakes. He kept working till he got it right.”
Roger Davis, friend
However, Davis cited one example that stands out. As president of the FHS Alumni Association, Dalrymple helped grow the scholarship fund from $10,000 in 2016 to the $1.6 million it has today.
“[But] you don’t have to make a medical breakthrough to make a difference in this community or in this world. Just work hard, persevere through the rough patches, and use your gifts to make the world around you better,” Davis said.
Davis presented the award to Dalrymple’s brother, Richard.
Judge Otho Eyster: Class of 1961
Ralf Eyster presented the Hall of Honor award to his brother, Otho Eyster, a 1961 FHS grad.
“He didn’t immediately go to school [after graduating]. He worked for a few years, including completing a training program in industrial glass,” Ralf said of Otho.
Ralf recounted the judge’s path to the bench, which included earning a master’s degree from The Ohio State University in 1971. Otho earned a Juris Doctorate in 1975.
First practicing in Fredericktown, Otho Eyster served as assistant public defender, was elected Knox County prosecutor in 1976, and elected Mount Vernon Municipal Court judge in 1982.
Nine years later, Gov. George Kasich appointed him judge of the Knox County Common Pleas Court. He retired after a 55-year career on the bench, Knox County’s longest-serving judge.
Eyster said he was an unlikely candidate for this type of honor.
Noting he was not a class officer, member of student council or National Honor Society, nor an above-average athlete, he said, “I’m fairly certain that I’ll be the only person on that wall who actually failed a high school course.”
“In retrospect, I can best describe my high school experience as a quest to find where I fit in,” Eyster said.
Noting everyone is capable of achieving their goals, Eyster said he is grateful that Knox County citizens allowed him to serve 39 years in elected office.
“I’m very fortunate that I’ve had a career doing something I thoroughly enjoy. I finally found where I fit in,” he said.
Eyster told the students that their story has just begun.
“Your full story will be written in adulthood,” he said. “Set your goals, work hard, don’t get discouraged, and never quit learning. Remember, attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference.”
Larry Overholt, PhD: Class of 1973
Class of ’73 grad Larry Overholt grew up in Waterford and was strongly influenced by the hamlet’s Church of Christ and United Methodist Church.
Overholt earned degrees in agronomy, community development, agriculture and Extension education, and a master’s in ministry.
He and his wife, Angie, spent 40 years as missionaries in Honduras. They taught farming and established the first certified nursing school program in the nation, eight new Christian churches, and a 4-H program.
Noting that he related to Eyster’s high school academic achievements, Overholt said he gives thanks to Jesus Christ for taking a teenager from Waterford and calling him to a “life that has been infinitely more than I ever anticipated or imagined.”
He expressed gratitude for his wife and children’s support and for his dad and uncle, who taught him the Overholt name should stand for two things: integrity and hard work.
“I learned the value of those traits not just at home but in the agricultural fields of Knox County. I’m grateful for the area farmers who gave me a chance to work before I was even in high school,” he said.
Overholt is “deeply grateful” for the knowledge foundation he received at Fredericktown. He noted he learned how to solve problems, type, and, through steady Cs in chemistry, be consistent.
That foundation, he said, guided the couple as they spent their lives investing in education in southern Honduras.
“I received this honor not as a reflection of what I’ve achieved, but as a testimony to the people who have invested in me,” Overholt said.
“Thank you to my family, my teachers, and the Fredericktown community. Thank you for being a part of my story. It’s a privilege to be a fellow Freddie.”
Gary Williams presented Overholt’s award.
Actor Luke Perry: Class of 1984
Selection committee member and former teacher Betty Weller provided background on the late Luke Perry, Class of 1984.
Noting his outgoing personality, friendliness, and the challenge to do things differently in his role as the school mascot Freddie Bird, Weller said Perry loved living in the country.
“Luke’s visits to his home were discreet as he didn’t want to disrupt the steady blue-collar atmosphere that Fredericktown people loved and cherished,” she said.
“Fredericktown was his safe place, and he protected it with great zeal.”
Perry chased his acting dream to New York City. Starting with commercials and then the soap opera “Loving,” his breakthrough came when he landed the role of Dylan McKay on 90210.
Perry had nearly 100 credits during his 35-plus years in entertainment. Credits include Law and Order: SVU, Criminal Minds, Love in Paradise, and cartoon voice-overs.
Perry’s sister, Amy Coder-Perry, said that similar to the other inductees, Perry had fair grades, was not in NHS, and went to school to socialize.
Many people believed him when he said he would be an actor; others doubted.
“In fact, one faculty member said he would probably end up in prison,” she said.
“For those of you who have a dream and want to pursue it, don’t let others discourage you. Stay true to yourself. … The only thing standing in your way is you.”
Coder-Perry said fame never went to Perry’s head.
“What he did care about was where he came from. Luke was incredibly proud to be a Freddie.”
Luke Perry’s sister AmyCoder-Perry
“Whether it was coming home for the Tomato Show, visiting his family, or getting together with his friends, he loved his hometown of Fredericktown,” she said.
“Thank you so much for this award. Luke would be extremely proud.”
Kyle Randall, MD: Class of 2000
Weller also presented the Hall of Honor award to 2000 grad Kyle Randall.
Randall earned a doctorate in medicine and completed an orthopedic residency and sports medicine fellowship. He served as team physician for high schools, OSU football and hockey, and the Columbus Clippers.
He chairs the Department of Surgery at Avita Health System and is the medical director at the Avita Center of Sports Health.
Randall’s community service includes supporting 4H, FFA and the Fredericktown stadium projects. He also serves with the Knox County Foundation.
Joking that he thought he was being inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame, Randall said he practiced an acceptance speech about his glory days on the field, including a cut from eighth-grade basketball.
“Luckily, I’m a firm believer that everything happens for a reason,” he said, noting that a blown-out knee ended his playing days but redirected him to orthopedics.
“The experience also taught me sports records fade, but you still have the rest of your life to live after high school.”
Randall said that despite what many might think, Fredericktown is a great school system. He credits former chemistry teacher Tracy Weller as the reason he and fellow alum Jake Overholt placed 1-2 among hundreds in pre-med chemistry at Miami University.
“Whether you go into medicine, teaching, farming, business, mechanics, anything else, take the skills that you’ve learned, and the values you obtained here, and use them to help other people.”
Kyle randall, md
Randall said his biggest achievement is his children.
He credited his parents, siblings, and the strong sense of service passed down from his family, lifelong friends and coworkers.
“And Fredericktown, thank you for this incredible honor and the life that you’ve given me, which gives me the opportunity to give back,” he said.
Chris Well joins inductees on Hall of Honor wall
Dr. William Elder paid tribute to the late Chris Well, Class of ’67 alumna who passed away last December.
Well was a charter member of the Hall of Honor selection committee, taught in the Fredericktown school system, and helped conceive the Fredericktown Tomato Show.
She also volunteered and supported many activities throughout the county and with Cornerstone Community Church.
“Chris was humble; she did not seek attention or accolades. … She never held back at an time, though she had many health issues,” Elder said. “She is honored today with her own plaque on the Hall of Honor wall.”
“We thank you, Chris, for all the hard work and love for us.”
Dr. William Elder in tribute to the late Chris Well
Well’s daughter, Ashley Overholt, also a “proud teacher at Fredericktown,” said her initial thought on hearing the committee was going to recognize her mom was, “Wow, what an amazing gesture from the committee.”
“Then it was quickly followed with ‘she would not want that attention.’ Thank you to the committee for recognizing her commitment to this Hall of Honor and this community,” Overholt said.
“As a teacher for many years, my mom cherished each of her students and was truly one of their biggest fans.”
Overholt thanked the award recipients for encouraging young Freddies for generations to come.
To the students, she said, “Please know that community members are in your corner rooting you on and looking forward to what you’re going to accomplish.”
The FHS choir led the group in singing the Fredericktown alma mater and national anthem. A luncheon followed the induction ceremony.
(Photos by Cheryl Splain.)
