Shelton District & Community Hall of Fame inducts 6

Six people who inspired local youths in the classroom and on the playing field were inducted into the Shelton School District & Community Hall of Fame at a ceremony Tuesday in the Shelton High School Performing Arts Center.

The inductees are Sheryal Balding, Brian Fairbrother, Mike Fox, Dann Gagnon, Leslie Orme and Dick Wentz.

The hall recognizes students, alumni, faculty, staff, friends, benefactors and residents who have contributed to the success, tradition, integrity, development and promotion of the district, and/or excelled in athletics, fine arts, academics and/or business.

Each of the honorees was inducted with a speech delivered by a student.

Wentz worked for the Shelton School District for three decades starting in 1968. The history teacher was the longtime head wrestling coach and also had stints as the assistant freshmen football coach and athletic director. He created the Shelton Christmas Wrestling Tournament.

“Mr. Wentz was not just a coach, teacher or staff member, he was and still is as some people call him an icon,” said student Madison McClanahan. “His character and integrity were a shining example of what a coach, teacher and person should be.”

Orme taught English at Shelton High School for 35 years and chaired or co-chaired the department for 10 years. She also co-taught history with John Tarrant and coached volleyball. She died in 2021.

“Mrs. Orme was a trailblazer in providing inclusionary learning before it became mainstream,” said Shelton High School junior Josephine Simmons. “She had a way to make every student learn at their own pace and at the level best suited for them because she saw every student’s potential even when they didn’t see it in themselves.”

Gagnon began his career in the district teaching sixth-grade students at Mountain View Elementary School in 1974, and then moved to Shelton Middle School and taught sixth-graders. Every year from 1974 to 2022, Gagnon coached at least one sport for Shelton High School, including varsity girls basketball, girls and boys tennis, varsity bowling, and middle school boys and girls basketball.

“Dann’s contribution to keeping childhood sports alive within the Shelton School District will forever be appreciated and remembered by this community,” said student Gwenny Smith. “With the overview of 48 years of coaching, 38 years of teaching, thousands of students taught, thousands of children coached and community members moved brings a legacy that will never be forgotten.”

Fairbrother created the boys soccer program at the high school in 1981, and the girls team in 1985. He coached for 27 years, including boys and girls soccer at Olympic Middle School.

“He won four league title, coached for 27 years, but most importantly, he was the one to kick off the entire soccer program at Shelton,” said Shelton High School senior Sophia Nakhla. “His leadership, compassion and desire to win have proven to be exceptional qualities, all of which were necessary to the success of his teams at the high school.”

Fox spent 28 years with district, coaching track, girls volleyball, cross country and basketball. He’s also known for his donations to the track program.

“Mike was a person who silently helped promote the sport,” said student Scott Jordan. “The hard work and dedication you’ve put toward the community and the Shelton track program will not go unnoticed. Whether you are on the track you are truly an amazing person.”

Balding’s career with the district began in 1976 as a science teacher at Shelton High School. She then was hired as the assistant principal at Oakland Bay Junior High School. She also coached track.

“Under her guidance, students not only excelled on the field but have also carried these invaluable lessons into every aspect of their lives,” said Shelton High School senior Filesi Tausa. “But most importantly, Sheryal Balding embodies the spirit of service and dedication that lies at the heart of education.”

Nominations are now being accepted for the 2026 Hall of Fame induction. Nominations can be submitted online or in writing on an official form, both available on the district’s website at http://www.sheltonschools.org, and upon request at the district office at 700 S. First St. in downtown Shelton. People cannot nominate themselves. Also, no active members of the Hall of Fame Selection Committee are eligible for nomination.

Once nominated, a nominee remains under consideration for three years. After three years, if a nominee is not selected, the nomination expires and the candidate is again eligible for another nomination.

The induction ceremonies are hosted every two years. Nominations are due by Oct. 1 for the following year’s inductions.