Academic HOF inductees grateful to their Barberton High School roots, teachers
PHOTOS BY JOSEPH NICHOLAS
2025 Barberton Academic Hall of Fame Rob Branham, Class of 1993, David R. Cooper, Class of 1962, Anne-Marie Anderson, Class of 1983, Marty Eberhart, Class of 1993, Christine Duncan Finan, Class of 1977, Aaron Day, Class of 1991, James E. Young, Class of 1979
Barberton High School student ambassadors for Barberton City Schools’ 2025 Academic Hall of Fame festivities Sept. 5.
BGNN junior meteorologist and Barberton sixth grader was invited to the Academic Hall of Fame. He met Academic Hall of Fame inductees including Rob Branham, Class of 1993, who is a lieutenant colonel with the U.S. Air Force working at the Pentagon as the chief of Air Force Weather Operations, Policy and Doctrine.
Left, BGNN sports editor Randy Forst, at a luncheon for Barberton City Schools’ Academic Hall of Fame inductees.
By JACQUELINE GOUAMBA
BGNN contributor
BARBERTON The 19th annual Barberton City Schools’ Academic Hall of Fame festivities kicked off with a luncheon Sept. 5 in the high school media center.
Barberton High School student ambassadors met with the seven inductees and had the chance to ask them about their lives, careers, and high school experiences.
The 2025 Academic HOF inductees are Marty Eberhart and Rob Branham, both Class of 1993, Aaron Day, Class of 1991, Anne-Marie Anderson, Class of 1983, James E. Young, Class of 1979, Christine Duncan Finan, Class of 1977, and David R. Cooper, Class of 1962.
Student ambassadors are National Honor Society students who act as liaisons between the inductees. This year the ambassadors were: Holly Adkins, Dahne Corej, Caleb Gordon, Jacqueline Gouamba, Heidi Kurtz, Addy McMullen, and Anthony Semertsidis.
Organized by the BHS cafeteria staff, lunch, and more conversation between the student ambassadors followed. After lunch, the students introduced themselves and the inductees. Each inductee spoke after their introduction. All of them expressed gratitude – emphasizing that their academic fame is due to encouragement from their Barberton teachers.
The student ambassadors led a tour around the high school to various classrooms — the subjects corresponding with their careers and degrees. Each class was advised to write questions for the inductees. Many students asked the inductees for stories and advice.
At 2 p.m., the marching band played for the inductees in the theatre. Afterwards, the student ambassadors and inductees were treated to punch and dessert.
The Academic Hall of Fame induction ceremony continued with introductions at Rudy Sharkey Stadium followed by the high school football game against South Range. For information about each of the 2025 Barberton City Schools’ Academic HOF inductees, visit www.thebarbertongazette.com. See more photos from the luncheon on the BGNN’s Facebook page.
