The Milan News-Leader
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
MHS alumni earn honor
More than 500 students attend event
By Sue G. Collins, Staff Writer
PUBLISHED: March 22, 2007
Three Milan High School graduates were honored for their successes and contributions last week as they were inducted into the school's Hall of Fame in front of an audience of high school students who were urged to push themselves, learn to volunteer and embrace the written word.
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Physicist Jim O'Donnell, community activist Isabelle Schultz and author-actress Denise Nicholas joined longtime friends, city leaders and family members at a dinner reception Monday evening and then shared their stories with an audience of more than 500 students Tuesday morning.
O'Donnell, Nicholas and cSchultz were acknowledged for their contributions to their alma mater and community. They are all graduates of Milan High School.
Think for yourself
O'Donnell graduated in 1986 from Milan High School, where he was an all-state swimmer. His family moved to Milan when he was in fifth grade and he recalled the encouragement from Don Stanley, Paddock Elementary School principal at that time.
"I was given a battery of placement tests and was pretty nervous. I didn't do very well. I bombed," he said.
O'Donnell thanked Stanley and the other Milan teachers who supported him for "making a difference."
"I'm not sure someone from another more well-off school would have received that individual attention. I wouldn't trade my background for theirs, even if they had fancy things in their schools, though this is very fancy!" he said, gesturing to the performing arts center from the stage where the inductees spoke.
"I had a lot of excellent teachers here at Milan, including Miss (Meredith) Frank, who taught English. She was a real bear. I remember Mr. Dingham in math, Mr. (John) Petrie who set a college atmosphere in his class, Mr. (Greg) Cowgill for seventh-grade geography and Mr. (Merill) Falk."
O'Donnell later graduated cum laude from the University of Michigan, where he studied aerospace engineering and was named to the All Big Ten academic swim team. He holds a doctorate degree in physics and is a senior quality and reliability engineer at Intel Corp.
He urged students to accept the influence of teachers who "go the extra mile" and encouraged them to push themselves hard in high school and beyond. He passed along advice given to him by his father, Joe.
"Think for yourself, ask questions and find something in high school that you can pour your heart into.
"Put yourself out there on the line so when you have success, it's all yours," he said.
Volunteerism is key
Isabelle Schultz was chosen for the Milan Hall of Fame for her ongoing dedication to so many important community projects, including helping to establish the Greater Milan Area Community Foundation and spearheading the Fire Barn restoration.
She was the first editor of Milan's weekly newspaper, and is an award-winning journalist, having earned a journalism degree from Michigan State University after graduating from Milan High School in 1946.
"Milan is my hometown and I want the best for Milan," she said. "How do you get the best for Milan? You can't sit around and ask, 'Why doesn't someone do something?' That someone can be you."
Schultz pointed to the projects around town that were made possible by volunteer efforts: Little League fields, the Milan Fair, the fire department.
"I look in my high school yearbook and see a lot of 'do-ers.' Chances are if you are a 'do-er' in high school, you'll make a difference in your community later in life. The need for volunteers never ends," she noted.
Schultz warned students that while working as a volunteer won't provide dollar results, it will bring friendships and the reward of knowing you have helped make a community special.
"Then, someday, someone may surprise you and say, 'We want to thank you so you have been selected for the Milan Hall of Fame," Schultz said.
Veer from career path
A few years ago, Denise Nicholas decided to take a break from her career as an actress and indulge in her true love, writing. Her first novel, "Freshwater Road," published in 2005, has received critical acclaim. A 1961 graduate of Milan High School, she shared a favorite poem by Gwendolyn Brooks and then reminded students, "Nobody says you have to pursue the same career path your whole life."
Nicholas traveled from her home in southern California to Milan and raved about the Milan High School Performing Arts Center. She recalled her high school days and said, "My decision to pursue writing began long ago in the English and Latin classes at Milan High School, as a small tickle, an itch of curiosity that involves a love of reading and a passion for the written word."
Nicholas asked students to turn off iPods and, "listen to the voices of the world" for inspiration.
"I am deeply honored to come back to receive this and visit with people I haven't seen in 40 years. It's truly extraordinary. Thank you for sharing this moment with me."
Troy Porter was among a handful of students who ventured up on stage after the ceremony to meet the honorees.
"I just wanted to congratulate her (Nicholas). I thought it was so neat that she got to do all that cool stuff," he said.
Before excusing the student body, Principal Ron Reed said, "I hope you see a great opportunity here."
The Milan Hall of Fame was established in 2004 to recognize local graduates and employees who have distinguished themselves by their contributions in their field of work or study, to their community, and to society.
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