WHS welcomes 4 inductees into Alumni Hall of Fame

Four new honorees were inducted into the Wayland Union Schools Alumni Hall of Fame Tuesday during the Senior Award Night at the Wayland Union Fine Arts Center.

The four were William and Eric Hooker (posthumously), Lisa Schroeder Banas, and Alan Baugh.

William and Eric Hooker were nominated by Mary Hooker-Tong, daughter and sister of the honorees and who accepted the plaques on behalf of the family.

William “Bill” Hooker graduated from Wayland Union High School in 1938, played football and was on the boxing team. He then served in the U.S. Army during World War II as a sergeant and leader during the D-Day invasion, landing on Utah Beach, France. He was a 5 Battle Star Veteran and earned the Army Good Conduct medal.

He returned to Wayland and led a busy life for the community. He served the VFW, was a city councilman for 14 years, and was on the Wayland Planning Commission among many other contributions to the greater Wayland Community!

Eric Hooker graduated from Wayland in 1964 and was in the Top 10 of his graduating class. He performed in the school play and was voted most likely to succeed by his classmates.

He served in the United States Army as a sergeant and was deployed to Vietnam. After his time in the service he took a management position at State Farm Insurance Agency. He was also a “big brother” to a young boy and was a member of the VFW.

Eric died at the age of 60 to complications from Agent Orange which he was unknowingly exposed to while on duty in Vietnam. His funeral in Wayland was attended by many who shared stories of the impact he had had on their lives.

Lisa “Schroeder” Banas was a member of the Wayland Union High School graduating class of 1980. She participated in theatrics, cheerleading, varsity basketball and tennis.

She was also voted as the Duchess of the Winter Festival (known as Snowcoming today).

Lisa is currently the senior vice president of retail administration for the United Bank of America. She has and continues to serve the Wayland community and schools as well.

For the school system she has served as a mock interview coach for the Business Professionals of America, was a Junior Achievement instructor for more than 20 years at Pine Street and Dorr Elemantary schools, conducted sessions on banking, savings, and credit for the high school SET program, and provided numerous tours for elementary students at the bank. She also has been part of the school transportation committee, and served on boards for the Chamber of Commerce and the City Council.

Alan Baugh was a member of the Wayland Union High School graduating class of 1947. He married his high school sweetheart, Lois Jager, and they have celebrated more than 70 years of marriage.

Mr. Baugh served his country in the U.S. Army from 1950 to 1952. He and his wife are the owners of Baugh’s Shoe Repair in Wayland and a third generation owner of that business.

He started repairing shoes at the age of 12 and he continues to work in the store at 111 S. Main Street at the age of 92.

He has repaired bus seats, sports equipment for the school and shoes and boots for local police and teachers, and others who may be in need.

Previous WHS Alumni inductee are

2001 —   Claude Smith – 1928
2002 —   Joe Miller – 1975
2003 — Daryl Fleser – 1955

2004 — Dorothy DeWeerd – 1946
2005 — Fred Hilbert – 1930
2006 — Francis Beuschel – 1955
2007 — Tom Tarnutzer – 1965
2008 — Clayton Jackson – 1966
2009 — Ethel Aubil – 1935
2010 — Art Johnson – 1968
2011 — Julia Smith – 1927
2012 — Hugh DeWeerd and Dr. Michael Deweerd, – 1945 and 1968.
2013 —Patrick Coughlin – 1989
2014 — Teresa Permoda- 1972
2015 — Norman Fifelski  (1965) and Roger Merren (1967)
2016 — Cheri Ritz (1977) and Roger VanVolkinburg (1972)
2017 — Embriette Hyde (2006) and Mary Jane Merren (1967)
2018 —Beatrice (Rairigh) Smith and Dick Miller (1962)
2019—  Jackie Straub (1965) and Frank and Marylin Bastion
2020     *Covid

COVER PHOTO: Perry Slagter (left) presents Hall of Fame awards to Mary Tong-Hooker, Alan Baugh and Lisa Banas.