Kyle Fannin (WCHS,1992-2016) School, Curricular, Professional and Community Leader

Kyle had a highly successful 24-year teaching career at WCHS. He taught U.S. History, Political Science, Global Issues, and Advanced Placement (A.P.) courses in U.S. History, Political Science, and Government.

With courses tailored toward active student involvement, classroom discussions were lively and student opinions were welcomed, valued, and held accountable. In 1992 his Global Issues class was chosen as part of a nationwide PBS Student Caucus. He was one of the first Kentuckians to attain National Board teaching certification.

Coaching the "Brain Jackets" from 1991 to 2016, he built the school's academic team into a state and, ultimately, national power with state winners, 9 straight district championships, and a No. 8 national ranking.

His challenge to seniors in his Community Activism Class to "get out of the classroom and contribute to positive development" resulted in community events which ignited a movement that helped build the

SPARK Cafe in downtown Versailles. He was a Social Studies department leader and helped develop a long-used thematic approach to teaching the U.S. History curriculum. He also led hundreds of WCHS students to Washington DC including a Presidential Inauguration. 

Logan Pauley (WCHS, 2011)  Noted China Scholar, Author, Researcher & Intelligence Analyst

Logan was the first Woodford Co. student to graduate college with a degree in Mandarin Chinese and Asian Studies (Centre, B.A. 2015).

After a distinguished 12 years in the Woodford County School System, he was introduced to this very difficult language during his final WCHS semester under the tutelage of Mrs. Chun Yang, the esteemed Chinese teacher at Simmons Elementary School.

At Centre College he became fluent in the Chinese language and knowledgeable in its culture, honed his language expertise in Taiwan and Beijing, co-authored an English translation of a Su Tong short story, won numerous academic awards, was Student Senate President, and graduated summa cum laude. He was chosen as the only American Ambassador to the Harvard Project for Asian & International Relations.

Logan earned a Master's Degree granted jointly by the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies and Nanjing University. (2017)

He was named "5 Under 25 Leaders in the U.S. China Relations" and won the Scoville Fellowship. As an author he has written nearly 60 articles, which have been published on over 30 internet platforms and in 15 noted journals.

He is currently an intelligence specialist with Altana in Washington D.C.

Damon Greene (WCHS,1987)  Beloved & Distinguished Music Educator and Performer

The Woodford County Public School System was an important training and proving ground for Damon's lifetime Arts career. In high school he excelled in Drama/Theatre, Chorus and Band, where he was mentored by WCPS Hall of Fame inductee Nat Carter from the 6th through 12th grades, and in the school's musical productions by Hall of inductee Wanda Rodgers. He was the WCHS Band drum major his senior year.

Damon received his BME from Kentucky State University where he was Student Director of KSU's nationally known Concert Choir. He earned his Master’s of Education from Georgetown College.

As an actor, singer, and dancer, he performed at The Woodford Theater, Lyric Theater, Lexington Opera House, and throughout Central KY.

His 27 year teaching career as Choir and Music Director at Elkhorn Middle School allowed him to pass on his love for the Arts to his students and included over 40 choir performances at Disney World, Cincinnati Reds games, and at many other events. He was the Franklin Co. NAACP Man of the Year (2019) and Traditional Bank's "Unsung Hero." Upon his untimely death from cancer in 2020 his school designated their auditorium "The Damon Greene Auditorium." In addition to many other tributes, a scholarship and football bowl have been named in his honor.

Bob Rouse (WCHS, 1976) Impactful, Acclaimed, and Community-minded Midwegian Author
Bob is proud to point out that he is a "Midwegian" (a resident or native

of the Woodford Co. town of Midway). He dedicated his first book, Christmas in the Bluegrass, "To Midway, the finest town a boy could ever be born in, born to, and born of." He's also a proud Woodford Countian, a 12 year student in its schools, and a graduate of WCHS, Transylvania University (B.A.), and the University of Kentucky (M.S.).

It is this pride and community-mindedness which has fueled his critically acclaimed and prolific writing, including two additional books, Up Home, A Family, a Tragedy; & the Holly Hill Inn; and Backyard Reflections on a Ho-Hum 2020; a blog,"Of A Midway Mind," with over 100 blogs posted; 30 plus poems submitted to Lexington's Poetry Month; and numerous short stories, the form which many consider to be his "bread and butter." Additionally he has been successful as a copywriter, magazine and newspaper reporter, editor, marketing writer,and travel writer. He served as biographer par excellence, chronicling the life stories of 102 individuals and 10 groups with 159 members upon their induction into the WCPS Hall of Fame. Bob continues to be in demand as a reader/presenter of his works. He is currently Editor and Vice President of The National Tour Association where he leads a team of very talented writers.

Chris Jackson (WCHS,1993)  The Top Sprinter in WCHS History, Outstanding College Career
Chris Jackson, very simply stated, is the top sprinter in Woodford County High School history. He won more individual state championships (five) than any WCHS Track and Field Athlete ever has.

Between 1991 and 1993 he laid claim several times to the title of Kentucky High School’s "Fastest Human;” won multiple All-State, All-American, and Kentucky Runner of the Year honors; garnered multiple regional championships; and anchored the 4 x 100m relay team to a school record in the state meet. Individually he established school records in the 100 and 200 meters. Thirty one years later his 100m record still holds.

During his career he led the Yellowjacket track team to two 3rd place State finishes and several region championships. He was also a three year member of Yellow Jacket football team where his blinding speed made him a very dangerous ball carrier and kick returner.

Following his WCHS days, he signed with the University of Kentucky and had an outstanding four-year career in a program deemed "one of the nation’s premiere sprint programs." As a freshman at the NCAA Outdoor Championships, he ran a leg of the 4 x 100m relay which took 2nd place nationally. As a senior he qualified for the NCAA Indoor Championships by winning the Rod McCravy 60-meter Memorial dash in 6.69.

Stephanie Patterson (WCHS, 2009)  Record Setting WCHS and Division I Soccer Star and Leader
Stephanie, who captained the WCHS Girls' Soccer team to back-to-back State Final Four appearances, is the all-time leader in goals scored by a Lady Yellowjacket. She is also the leader, if not one of the top leaders, in career assists and is one of the few players in program history to be named 1st Team All-State in consecutive seasons. (2007 and 2008)

Known for outworking her opponents on the field and leading by example, she was characterized by her coach, David McGiver, as a "great leader, demanding of her teammates to strive for excellence, but also holding herself to high standards." Other achievements include the 2008-09 WCHS Female Athlete of the year, 2008 State All-Tournament Team, 2008 Region MVP, 2007 All-Region and Tournament MVP, First Team Academic All-State (soccer) (9th, 10th, 11th, 12th), First Team Academic All State (basketball) (10th, 11th) and WCHS Best Offensive Player. (9th, 10th, 11th, & 12th.)

After graduation she was able to serve her country continuing her athletic and academic career at the United States Air Force Academy. She was Air Force's Offensive MVP (2009, '10, '11,'12), CSM Mountain West All-Conference (2012), and Crusader Class All-Tournament Team (2011).

She was selected to the U.S. Armed Forces team and played in the 6th CISM Military World games in South Korea in 2015.

Anthony “Tony” Burke (WCHS,1984)  Uncommon Valour and Excellence in Service to Country

Tony Burke honorably served the U.S. Government for over 36 years, beginning in 1986 with military service in both the U.S. Marines and the U.S. Army Special Forces. He transitioned to the U.S. Customs Service from 1993 through 1996 and then had a 25-year exemplary career with the U.S. Marshals Service, retiring as an acclaimed Senior Inspector on December 31, 2021.

He served with U.S. Marine Reconnaissance and deployed for combat in Southeast Asia, Central and South America. He also completed combat tours in the Middle East during Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm.

In 1996 he began his career with the United States Marshals Service (USIS), initially providing security for high profile trials protecting U.S. attorneys, judges and witnesses under threat. He was promoted to Supervisory Inspector and then Cl to rebuild the Violent Fugitive Task Force in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean where he supervised 22 different agencies.

Tony is regarded as one of the finest manhunters in the history of the U.S.

Marshals Service. The USMS awarded him no less than five of its major awards. He was intelligent, generous, caring and empathetic, unless, of course you were a violent fugitive on the run. Tony unexpectedly passed away in August 2023 while working for the U.S. State Department in El Salvador.

Ed Quinn (WCHS,1990)  Outstanding High School, College, Community and Business Leader

Ed Quinn has always been a leader — in school, sports, college and business. Today, Ed, a 27 veteran in the transportation and manufacturing industries, is President and CEO of the R.J. Corman Group based in Nicholasville, KY. In this capacity he leads a group of companies which is a national leader in railroad services, and has over 1,200 employees in 22 states.

At WCHS, Ed was a school-wide leader: 3-time Class President, Student Council Officer, Hugh O' Brian Leadership Award winner, a representative to Boy's State, chosen for the National Council on Youth Leadership, and captained the WCHS Swim team.

Accepting a Congressional nomination to the Merchant Marine Academy, he was elected Class President twice, Class Secretary, was a member of the Midshipmen Council, and Graduated with a degree in Marine Transportation.

In his business career he has held a number of pivotal and significant developmental, managerial, supervisory, strategic, and vice-presidential positions.

He supports his industry and community by holding memberships on at least 11 advisory and directory boards, including a significant appointment to the Surface Transportation Board's Rail Energy Advisory Committee.
 

A State Champion in Overwhelming Fashion

Under the direction of WCPS Hall of Famers Rusty Parks and Joe Carr, the 1993 WCHS Matjackets won the school's sixth State Championship. Ranked number one all year, the matjackets smashed the competition and set five state records by having seven state finalists, ten state placers, the most points scored, the youngest state champion, and the largest title margin ever. Highlights during the season were an overall 24-0 dual meet record and capturing their first WCl title since 1982. They also won their second Dual State Title, the King of the Bluegrass Tournament, and were runners-up in the highly competitive Corydon Invitational. The State Champs also won their tenth straight District Title and their ninth straight Regional.

Individual State Champions were Joe Carr (103 weight class), Robert Kemper (160), and Matt Hecker (171). Runners-up were Morgan Chapman (125), Shawn Meckley (130), Jimmy Knight (130) and Dion Washington (Heavyweight). State placers were Cody Stewart (4th at 112), Nathan

Schilling (4th at 135) and Kent Berry (5th at 189).

For images and more information, follow the Woodford County Public Schools Hall of Fame page on Facebook. To find lists of past inductees, go to woodford.kyschools.us2024halloffame and find WCPS Hall of Fame under the District Information tab. 

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