By Gina Buccino
Enquirer contributor

LEBANON - In the Lebanon School District, it's not only the students who receive recognition for work well done. Since 1981, the board of education has honored citizens who have made distinguished and significant contributions to the students, staff or school programs by inducting them into the Lebanon City Schools Hall of Fame.

The 2003 inductees are John Evers, a former high school principal; Dr. Roger Clark, former board member; and Albert Heizer, a former custodian at Donovan Elementary School. They will join 52 earlier inductees.

A selection committee, comprising two teachers, two noncertified representatives, two board members, two members of the administration, a citizen from the community, and a representative from the superintendent's community council, chooses the winners.

"This is one of the highest honors that can be bestowed upon someone in our school community," Superintendent Bill Sears said. "Being recognized as one of the best."

Last year, the board inducted three members: John Buchanan, a former board member and businessman; Deetta Heizer, a former school cook; and Virginia Stuckert, a retired elementary teacher who volunteers at a local nursing home.

"I was shocked, but honored," Heizer said of her induction last year. A cook for 25 years in the school district, Heizer, who retired in 2001, volunteers at a nursing home in Monroe and helps with charity functions at the Fellowship Baptist Church.

"We have inducted up to five in one year and we have had a few years where we have not given the award," board member Katie Poitinger said. "Each year depends on the number of candidates and their efforts for our district."

"We are fortunate in our community to have people who not only support our schools, but give so willingly to keep children and learning as our primary focus," said Poitinger.