Bob Clark, DMD (Woodford County High School, 1979)   

A Lexington-based oral surgeon and officer of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, Dr. Clark built a successful career on a solid record of academic achievement. While at WCHS, he was class valedictorian, National Merit Scholarship finalist, and a top finisher in state competitions in both French and math. Dr. Clark graduated from the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry with high distinction, winning four awards. He completed a surgery residency at Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas.

Charliese Brown Lewis (WCHS, 1992) 

An experienced teacher, administrator, and advisor, Ms. Lewis holds degrees from Kentucky State University (bachelor’s in English/education), Ohio State (master’s in journalism) and the University of Kentucky (master’s in higher education). She worked at KSU as a communications specialist, at the Kentucky Department of Education as a program director, at Berea College as the director of student support services, at GUK (Gear UP KY) as the coordinator for school improvement services, and, currently, at Fayette County Public Schools as a program manager.

Carey Selby (WCHS, 1995) 

An artist whose talent is as immense as it is diverse, Ms. Selby creates everything from greeting cards, custom-painted shoes, and fantastic murals to artwork for TV and film. Known professionally as Celery Jones, she works for production companies as art director or content creator, designs tradeshow booths and event spaces, and markets her original paintings and prints, clothing, and costumes. Ms. Selby’s artistic creations—from commercial to commissioned—are in high demand.

Timothy Joseph Allen (WCHS 1988) 

An expressive figurative painter, Mr. Allen lives in Italy, where he has taught at The American University of Rome since 2006. He also manages his own painting school, the Painting and Drawing Art Studio of Rome. Mr. Allen has won awards as a faculty member, and his artwork has been selected for exhibitions in Italy, Spain, England, the United States, and online. He earned a bachelor’s degree with a studio arts major at Depauw University, and then earned a master’s in fine art at Indiana University. 

Harrison Courtney (WCHS 2009) 

Perched at the top of Woodford County’s list of wrestling greats, Mr. Courtney has a high school career record of 249 wins and only 15 losses, placing him in the top 10 nationally. He was undefeated in both his junior and senior years. Mr. Courtney is a rare four-time Kentucky state champion, from 2006 through 2009, and his overall record at seven state meets is 27–3. Following his career at WCHS, Woodford’s winningest wrestler attended Campbellsville University on a wrestling scholarship. 

Zach Wilder (WCHS 2004) 

One of the best distance runners to ever compete for WCHS, Mr. Wilder was state champion at 1,600 meters, and his dramatic win in the 2004 cross country state meet was the fastest of all runners in all classes. He was a five-year letter winner in three sports—cross country, track and field, and swimming—for a total of 15 letters. Mr. Wilder was named Kentucky Runner of the Year three times, earned first team all-state honors three times, and won nine regional titles. He also was named first team all-state academic four times. 

James L. Cogar (Midway High School, 1923) 

A nationally renowned preservationist and historian, Mr. Cogar was the first curator of Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia, and in Kentucky, he served as the first executive director of Shakertown at Pleasant Hill. Mr. Cogar was a consultant for the U.S. National Park Service on the preservation and restoration of historic sites, he was a lecturer at the College of William and Mary, and he received a special award from the National Trust for Historic Preservation for significant achievement in historic preservation.

Darin Wilson, Ph.D. (WCHS 1991)  

Honored for his work and leadership as athletic director at Union College (2003 to 2011) and at Georgia Gwinnett College (2011 to present), Dr. Wilson led teams and student athletes at both institutions to remarkable success. He has been honored as national athletics director of the year in 2011, 2016, 2017, and 2018, also receiving numerous regional and conference awards. Dr. Wilson has helped shape NAIA policies through his service on leadership committees. He is also in demand as a speaker and life coach.

Carrol G. Hall  

A consummate musician, teacher, and conductor, Mr. Hall has dedicated more than 50 years of service to Woodford schools’ band and orchestra programs. During eight years as director of bands for Woodford County Schools, Mr. Hall taught students at all county schools, and then volunteered after school to lead the county’s first orchestra. And after he left teaching to work for Hurst Music, Mr. Hall maintained his service to Woodford students with weekly visits to repair instruments, always providing advice for playing them just a little better.

Brenda Jackson (WCHS, 1968) 

A determined historian who has brought honor and dignity to numerous citizens and institutions in Woodford County, Ms. Jackson in 2021 received the inaugural Yvonne Giles Award, presented by the Bluegrass Trust for Historic Preservation. The award honors Ms. Jackson’s impressive record of researching, fundraising, and spearheading the placement of six Kentucky Historical Highway Markers: three churches, a cemetery, and Midway Colored School, all in Midway; and the Huntertown Community Interpretive Park in Versailles. She also has taken leadership roles in several Woodford County organizations.

Phil Latham, MD 

For more than 15 years, Dr. Latham has coached Woodford students in middle and elementary grades to achieve athletic and personal success in track and cross-country. During these untold hours of unpaid time, Dr. Latham coached Woodford victories in district, regional, and state championships. He supports students through the week at practices and at weekend meets, checking the course, setting up tents, providing instruction, and cheering his athletes. “He is the most patient coach I have ever witnessed,” wrote a parent, one of many who sent letters to support Dr. Latham’s nomination. 

Lewis (Buddy) McDannold (Versailles High School, 1960)  Contributing five decades of leadership, governance, and compassion, Mr. McDannold has been described as a pioneer of community service in Woodford County. He was the county’s first parks and recreation director, served seven terms as county magistrate, helped organize both the county ambulance service and the county police department, assisted with the creation of the Woodford County Park and the Bluegrass Railroad museum, coached youth baseball and women’s softball teams, and served on numerous local and state boards. 

The 2012 WCHS baseball team won the state championship in a remarkable run, emerging from the notoriously difficult 11th region for the only time in school history. Sweeping the state tournament field before crowds of hometown fans that grew in size and exuberance with each game, the champions triggered a wave of Yellow Jacket pride that swept up local residents and far-flung alums.

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