Gowanda Central School announces Hall of Fame inductees to be honored Sept. 20

GOWANDA — The Gowanda Boosters Club has announced the 2024 Gowanda Central School Hall of Fame inductees. The inductees will be honored on Sept. 20 at 5 pm with music and a social gathering followed by the ceremony at the Gowanda’s Historical Hollywood Theater. This is a free event open to the public, which kicks off Alumni Weekend.

The nominees to be honored are Brad John, Sports Legend; John Jarzynski, Distinguished Educator; Larry M. Himelein III, Distinguished Alumni and the 2008 Gowanda Boys Cross Country Team, Team of Distinction.

John is a 1994 Gowanda Central School athlete who excelled academically and in the following sports: football, basketball, and baseball. As a standout athlete, he was named the Most Valuable Player in all three sports. He has held three school records for the GCS Basketball, with one record still standing of 44 points scored in a single game.

Jarzynski was a 30-year English educator at Gowanda Central School. In addition to teaching middle/high school English, he shared his theatrical background by directing the GCS school plays over the span of his three-decade career.

Himelein is a 1967 Gowanda Central School graduate. After graduating law school, he returned to Gowanda to begin his law career in private practice, next he was elected Cattaraugus County District Attorney for a total of 10 years, then elected Cattaraugus County Surrogate and Family Court Judge, for a total of 20 years. After 30 years of Public Service, Judge Himelein retired on December 31, 2012.

The 2008 Gowanda Boys Cross Country Team was the first team in 50 years to win a sectional championship title with a 28-0 CCAA record. The Panthers had seven athletes qualify for States, placing 4th overall. Members included Shane Miller, Dakota Jimerson, Cliff Nielson, Adam Steves, Christian Igielinski, Taylor Nielson, Jeremy Bolyard, Turner Ashby, Brendan Omicioli, Kevin Brown, Nick Austin, Louis DeCarlo, Juddson Logan, David Monat, Coach David Bolen, Coach Peter Palmer and Assistant Coach Zachary Palcic.

More details can be found on our Facebook Page Gowanda Boosters Club-GBC.

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