SHELBY — It’s been 20 years since Mike Johnson established the Shelby High School Hall of Distinction.
Johnson, a 1963 Shelby High School graduate, aspired to create a recognition system which was different from most other school districts.
“Many of those schools limit it to athletics,” he said. “I wanted it (Hall of Distinction) to be inclusive, so anyone can nominate anyone else.”
Since the first group of nominees were inducted in 2005, Shelby’s Hall of Distinction has grown to include members involved in a wide field of endeavors.
“Each year we induct the five highest vote-getters among the nominees,” Johnson said, adding nominees outside of the top five are automatically renominated for the following year.
In the event of a tie between two nominees, both are inducted. One faculty member is also inducted each year.
Nominations for the Hall of Distinction are also open to deceased alumni and faculty members, Johnson said.
This year’s nominees will be inducted during a ceremony on Oct. 5 at 4:30 p.m., which will take place in the Shelby High School theater. Members of the public are welcome to attend at no charge.
Below are bios for the Shelby High School 2024 Hall of Distinction inductees, written by Mike Johnson.
David Innis, class of 1959
Serving his country around the globe was a good fit for David Innis ’59.
His 29 years in the military were highlighted by receiving a Bronze Star for meritorious service in a combat zone. David protected the nation’s interests in the Persian Gulf, Vietnam and Seychelle Islands, as well as at several stateside bases.
While at SHS, David competed in tennis and played baritone in the Whippet band. Following graduation, he earned both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in wildlife management from Utah State University.
After serving seven years as an Air Force air traffic controller, he earned a Juris Doctorate at Gonzaga University.
While in the military, he spent 22 years as an attorney in the Coast Guard — where he retired as a captain (equivalent to colonel in the Army or Air Force).
His high regard for SHS was demonstrated in 1997 when he returned to Shelby to join an alumni band commemorating 500 consecutive football game performances.
David died at 60 from ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease). He was interred with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery.
Says a fellow alum, “David’s loyalty to his country and his faith was evident in giving of himself in many capacities wherever he was – from military assignments around the world to church, to choir, to youth, to committees, to community service.”
Gary Johnson, class of 1971
Following his college years, Gary Johnson,‘71, has spent nearly half a century serving the Shelby community, both professionally and civically.
While at SHS, Gary played football and golf. He was also a member of the Bi-Phi-Chem and Astronomy Clubs.
After graduating, Gary began a bachelor studies program at Bowling Green State University in chemistry and biology. He was accepted in 1974 to Case Western Reserve University Dental School after only three years of study at BGSU.
He finished his degrees in chemistry and biology while concurrently starting his freshman year of dental school at Case Western. Gary graduated from CWRU with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and biology in 1974, as well as CWRU Dental School in 1978.
He was offered positions in leading dental practices in Boston and suburban Cleveland before choosing to practice in Shelby.
He began a practice in Shelby with Dr. Fred G. Meier in July 1978. During his senior year of dental school he was nominated and voted into the National Dental Honor Society, Omicron Kappa Upsilon.
This society signifies and recognizes the top 10% of all dental students nationally the year of their graduation. Several years after graduation from dental school, he was nominated and elected to the Pierre Fauchard Academy. He was elected with nine other dentists from Ohio.
The society promotes the elevation of the standards and practices of the art and science of dentistry worldwide. Its purpose is to educate dental professionals with the latest techniques to improve the practice of dentistry.
He was a member in good standing of the American Dental Association as well as the Ohio Dental Association. He served two years as president of the Central Ohio Dental Society. In addition to dentistry, Gary was known for after-hours willingness to treat patients suffering excruciating pain, for no fee.
He also made time to involve himself in the community.
Gary served on the Shelby City Schools Board of Education and the Shelby Foundation’s Board. He also coached YMCA basketball and soccer, as well as managing several Little League teams over the years. When needed, Gary volunteered to serve as a referee and/or as an umpire.
Observes a fellow alumnus, “Gary sees Shelby as more than just a town. To him, it’s a lifestyle that he not only is proud to be a part of but relishes his role. He feels privileged to give back to the town’s people for everything they have given him.”
Says Gary, “God bless each and every one of them.”
He is married to Tammy Bailey Johnson ’77.
Kevin Fitzpatrick, class of 1973
Kevin Fitzpatrick, ’73, became known for a prodigious work ethic, one that took hold during his childhood in Shelby.
At 12, he was delivering the Cleveland Plain Dealer. Summers saw him working as a “V Boy,” selling vegetables door to door.
While at SHS, Kevin played football, was a member of the Latin and French Clubs, and was a staff member of Whippet Tales and the Scarlet S, while working part time at Don Murray Ford.
After graduating, he earned a bachelor’s degree at Miami University where he served as president of Theta Chi Fraternity. During summers he worked at AMF.
Following his junior year at Miami, he accepted an internship in Washington,D.C. with Ohio Congressman John Ashbrook — becoming a full time staffer in the office following his graduation.
After Ashbrook‘s sudden death in 1982, Kevin accepted a position with the Interstate Commerce Commission while joining a partnership that operated three restaurants in northern Virginia. For 26 years, Kevin worked for Ohio Congressman Steve Chabot. As Chabot’s top foreign policy staffer, travels took him to more than 80 nations.
During the last eight years of his career, Kevin served as staff director of the House Small Business Committee, playing a major role in the enactment of the Paycheck Protection Program, which provided loans for small businesses to keep their workforces employed during the COVID-19 crisis.
One notable initiative was pushing for the Taiwan Travel Act. This enabled diplomatic exchanges between U.S. and Taiwanese officials.
Upon Kevin’s retirement, Rep. Chabot said, “During Kevin’s career, he shared his knowledge, experience and commitment to improving our country with many young people. They couldn’t have had a better teacher and mentor.”
Sally Biglin, class of 1995
For Sally Biglin, ’95, adversity has been presenting challenges since she was in 8th grade, when she was stricken with epilepsy.
While at SHS, she participated in Junior Achievement and was a member of the choir. She also volunteered with Safety Town and was a candy striper at Shelby Hospital.
After graduating, she earned an associate’s degree at North Central Technical College in early childhood education in 1997. At Ashland University in 2002, she earned a bachelor’s degree in education of the handicapped pre-K through 12th grade.
From age 16 through college, Sally worked part-time at Marvin Memorial Library. She taught for two years and then worked three years at Mansfield’s library. During those five years, her epileptic seizures were increasing in frequency.
In more recent years, since 2017, Sally has been volunteering at Shelby Hospital.
She greets visitors and if they need help finding their way, Sally, accompanied by her service dog, leads them to their destination. When visitors need a wheelchair, she does the pushing. She has seizures most days, sometimes two or three. Her doctors continue trying medicines.
Says a fellow alum, “Sally’s determination to keep working and helping others is inspiring.”
Tim Tarvin, class of 1977
Mention education or infrastructure in Shelby and the name that often comes up is Tim Tarvin ’77.
New SHS, new pre-K-8 building, new athletic complex — Tim was the driving force in making them all advance from concept to reality.
While at SHS, Tim served on student council all four years and competed in track, cross country and wrestling, earning 10 letters.
After graduation, he earned a bachelor’s degree in education at Bowling Green State University and a master’s in educational administration at the University of Dayton. Tim then earned his superintendent’s license from Ashland University.
His career started as a teacher and coach at Storer Outdoor Education Center, where he spent three years. Next, at Gallea Academy, he taught social studies and coached track, cross country and wrestling for eight years.
Arriving at SHS, Tim first taught social studies and coached wrestling at both SHS and the middle school, where he also coached track.
Next came eight years serving as SHS assistant principal, eight years as middle school principal and he capped his career serving 12 years as Shelby Schools superintendent.
Simultaneously, Tim made time to serve the community. He serves on the boards of The Shelby Foundation, United Fund and the Shelby Community Improvement Corporation. He has been a Rotary Club member for 12 years.
In 2022, his success led to receiving the Exemplary Leadership Award from the Buckeye Association of School Administrators.
Observes a fellow alum, “Tim’s boundless energy and dedication to Shelby students has enriched the lives of thousands of young people.”
Kathryn ‘Katie’ Shaw Oriti, class of 2002
With SHS science classes as a foundation, Kathryn “Katie” Shaw Oriti ’02 has forged a career that has her aiming skyward.
While at SHS, Katie played in both the marching and symphonic bands, was a member of the swim team, participated in mock trial and was an honor student.
At Ohio Northern University, she earned a degree in mechanical engineering with a minor in biomedical sciences. Afterward, her career began blossoming at the NASA Glenn Research Center in Cleveland.
She started her career as a mechanical test engineer and subsequently moved to thermal control engineer, systems engineer and project management. Currently, Katie is supporting NASA’s Artemis program, designed to take astronauts to the moon and beyond, as the deputy manager for the Orion Spacecraft European Service Module.
The Orion spacecraft primarily consists of the crew module for astronauts and the service module that provides propulsion, power, temperature control and consumables. As deputy manager of the European Service Module Integration Office, Katie is working with international and industry partners to assure that the two Orion spacecraft modules work flawlessly together.
During the Artemis I mission in November 2022, she worked in the Mission Control Center at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas as a Mission Evaluation Room manager.
During the 26-day mission, Katie worked with engineers, flight controllers and the Artemis Flight Directors as the Orion spacecraft traversed nearly 270,000 miles to the moon and back to Earth.
Katie and her team are currently working towards the Artemis II mission, a crewed test flight of the Orion spacecraft to lunar orbit.
Her zest for space exploration started in childhood with a telescope and viewing the Hale-Bopp comet in the Richland County night skies. Katie currently resides in Westlake, Ohio with her husband Sal and daughter Kara Oriti.
Lisa Baker
Continuing and adding to treasured SHS traditions were hallmarks during the 30-year career of Lisa Baker.
A native of Ogden, Ohio, Mrs. Baker earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music education at Bowling Green State University. She remained ever loyal to her alma mater, serving as president of the Bowling Green Band Alumni Society and mentoring student teachers.
Early in her career, she taught middle school choir and assisted with the SHS band before becoming head band director. Lisa was integral to the band earning 27 district superior ratings and 20 state superior ratings.
During her tenure, she broadened the perspectives of band members by organizing every-four-year band trips to Disney World, highlighted by leading the band in Main Street USA parades. She also led the band to Washington D.C. where it performed at the Lincoln and FDR memorials.
Away from music, she devoted countless hours to quilting; among recipients of her creations were band alumni, especially when they became parents. Says a former band member, “Teaching was her joy, and her passion was inspiring.”
Lisa died at 61 from cancer on Jan. 25 in Shelby.
