River View starts alumni hall of honor
At a ceremony in the River View High School library six alumni were inducted into the inaugural alumni hall of honor class for 2025.
The graduates were selected based on their outstanding achievements, including vocational pursuits, contributions to the community or government, philanthropic involvement, recognition of merit for an action taken, service provided or exemplary accomplishments.
“This is the 60th year of River View Local School District, and I have been honored to be here 29 of those years, both as the principal and as an administrator,” said Superintendent Chuck Rinkes. “River View is a special place because of the people and many of those people are here this evening. When I became superintendent, I set a goal to highlight and showcase the great alumni that have made River View what it is today. Tonight, this is really a three and a half year culmination evening. You are the first class of River View Alumni to earn the hall of honor award.”
Rinkes thanked the inductees for their service and commitment to excellence in their chosen field over the years.
“We are here because you chose not to be average,” he said. “You chose to leave a legacy which is something we talk about every day here in the district. Leaving a legacy is part of being a Black Bear. We are a great district because of individuals like you that chose to leave a legacy of service and especially one of accomplishment. Thank you for choosing excellence in your chosen profession. The district is proud of you and will forever be in you debt.”
Rinkes thanked the committee for all its hard work with a special thank you to Stephanie Snyder and the TLC class.
Inductees included Kyle Kanuckel, Larry Pepper, Lynn Wells, Ryan McPeek, Timothy Myers and David Lapp.
“This was a place where values were instilled. I wish we had more of these values in the world today, treating each other with respect and doing the right thing,” Kanuckel said.
Larry Pepper said he was honored that someone notices a lifetime of service. “We go through life and we don’t know when a smile or a wink or a nod changes someone’s life. All that I am going to tell you is that I have been blessed.”
When Pepper’s father passed away, good men stepped into his life, gave him direction and helped him.
“I came into the right place at the right time,” Pepper said. “This place has changed, and it hasn’t changed, if you see a student in the hall they say yes sir, no sir, you see their mind and it shows that they are loved and that is what life is all about.”
During his time at River View Wells was involved with many activities and clubs. He served as president of Ohio FFA Alumni and served on the National FFA Alumni Council. He received an Outstanding Service Award from Business Professionals of America. His many awards in FFA included the American Degree, exposing him to leadership development opportunities such as being a professor at Zane State College. He is an active member of the Warsaw Lions Club and well known for taking pictures at events throughout the community.
McPeek was active in music and swimming programs. After a successful career in geology abroad, he returned to Ohio in 2013 to purchase and grow the Coshocton KOA campground.
Myers was principal trombone of the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra, performing in more than 4,000 concerts over 40 years and contributed to Grammy-winning recordings. He is an arranger, educator, and co-founder of the Low Brass Collective and STL Trombone, as well as serving on professional boards and teaching at universities.
Lapp, a 1974 graduate of River View High School devoted his life to agriculture, education, and community service. As the owner/operator of Lapp Farms, he expanded his farm operations, implemented advanced farming practices, providing hands-on learning opportunities for students. He represents a deep commitment to his community, making him a deserving inductee into the River View Alumni Hall of Honor.
The hall of honor is located outside the school library on the left wall where their pictures and information will be displayed so that students can see what special people have walked these hallways.
Category: Education
