District announces largest ever DeSoto ISD Hall of Honor class

District announces largest ever DeSoto ISD Hall of Honor class
Posted on 04/25/2017
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Nine DeSoto ISD educators, advocates, and alum who have impacted the world will be inducted into the DeSoto ISD Hall of Honor on May 5 as the Class of 2017, the largest class ever. The list includes a long-serving firefighter, an NFL athlete, a state championship coach, a blockbuster producer, the longest serving ISD educator (50 years!) and the list goes on!

The Hall of Honor Induction Ceremony will take place on Friday, May 5 with a reception beginning at 5 p.m. followed by the ceremony at 5:30 p.m. in the DeSoto High School Academy Cafeteria. Over 250 guests are expected to attend the event to recognize this year’s honorees.

The public is invited to the open reception and ceremony to celebrate our inductees.
Please call 972-223-6666 to RSVP.

DeSoto High School Alumni Hall of Fame

Chief Fred Hart, Jr.

  • 1970 graduate of DeSoto High School
  • DeSoto firefighter, Fire Chief (10 years) and head of emergency management
  • Master certification for fire inspector, investigator, law enforcement and firefighter
  • Twice named Firefighter of the Year; directed Miss Flame Pageant from 1980-2004
  • Member of the Lions Club for over 30 years
  • Loving husband, father and community volunteer

Rick Jaffa

  • 1974 graduate of DeSoto High School
  • Degrees from SMU and USC
  • Hollywood blockbuster writer and producer
  • Films include Rise of the Planet of the Apes, Jurassic World
  • Long standing Board member, past president, National Neurofibromatosis Foundation
  • Dedicated to his family – wife and two children

June Villers

  • 1991 graduate of DeSoto High School
  • Lead five teams to Girls Track State Titles – three consecutive! (four additional runner-up titles)
  • Track & Field Coach of the Year three times and the National Track & Field Coach in 2013
  • National-ranked into collegiate athletes – over 20 full scholarships in recent years
  • Former math teacher still tutors student-athletes
  • Loving wife and mother of two boys

Byron Hanspard, Sr.

  • 1994 graduate of DeSoto High School
  • Texas Tech player named All-American and won Doak Walker Award
  • Played with NFL Atlanta Falcons
  • Degree in Organizational Leadership from Texas A&M Commerce in 2016
  • Current Safety & Security Manager over security and crisis management
  • Youth pastor, devoted husband and father to three sons

Ro Parrish

  • 1998 graduate of DeSoto High School
  • World-class emcee, TV personality, sports show host, DJ, and instructor
  • Graduate of UNT – earned Best News Reporter in 2002
  • TV host for Emmy-winning Mavs Insider program, also Mavericks DJ
  • Numerous NBA All-Star and celebrity events; DJ for BigDNYE
  • Donates time with Kappa Alpha Psi/Kappa League and with DeSoto ISD to host National Signing Day, the Football Banquet and much more!

DeSoto ISD Distinguished Service Award

Lynne Kornegay

  • A dedicated teacher for 50 years, 49 years in DeSoto ISD
  • Bachelors and Masters from Texas Women’s University, English and Music
  • One of only 14 teachers at the single DeSoto school in 1956-57
  • President of Dallas County Teachers’ Assoc., speaker/teacher at UNT and Region X
  • Multi-winner Teacher of the Year; Education Columnist for Dallas Times Herald
  • Serves DeSoto Library Board, Nance Farms Board, DeSoto Citizens Police Academy Alumni Assoc., and longtime member of the First United Methodist Church of DeSoto

Mika Malone

  • DeSoto educator and consultant for 43 years; DHS Science Chair for 20 years
  • Assistant Track Coach, AP Teacher of the Year, Science Club and UIL Sponsor
  • Wrote the state Chemistry II curriculum (hadn’t been taught before!)
  • Created UTSW student internships for DHS students interested in medical/science careers
  • Science consultant, 1st year teacher mentor, President of DeSoto Teachers’ Assoc.
  • Active member of Hillcrest Baptist Church, Alpha Delta Kappa educational sorority 

Kanina Johnson

  • Thirty-year educator in DeSoto ISD – Reading Teacher and Department Head plus Librarian
  • Won both Teacher and Employee of the Year honors
  • Created Athletes are Readers program with Williams Chicken and Eddie Deen BBQ
  • Community engaged with DeSoto Clean Up, DeSoto Food Bank, Jump Rope for Heart, Habitat for Humanity, and DeSoto Library
  • DeSoto ISD engaged – TAKS Carnival, Lifetime PTA, presenting at Middle School Conference and TCEA, Recognized Reading status for seven years
  • The MMS Library is the hub of the school with popcorn for teachers and regular celebrations for students

Aubrey C. Hooper

  • DeSoto ISD School Board member for six years – served as Vice-President and Secretary
  • NAACP National Board of Directors – former Chairman of National Youth Work Committee; received Chairman’s Award in 2007
  • Texas NAACP 2nd Vice President and Dallas NAACP President
  • Big Brothers Big Sisters Mentor and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. member
  • Morehouse College – Alumni Member and Recruiter; former Vice President Student Government Association
  • Instrumental in the development of the West International Male Leadership Magnet Academy and founder of the DeSoto ISD Male Leadership Symposium 

Sharon Sternes (posthumously)

  • A dedicated advocate, Mrs. Sternes served DeSoto ISD as a PTA President, Booster Club Member and then Board Member for nine years - as President in 2010-11
  • Proudest accomplishment – two sons Rainey and Ryan, both DHS graduates
  • Advocate for advanced academics and rigor – pushed to increase African American student participation in AP classes – fought for equity, fairness and opportunity
  • Administrator and Program Specialist for Head Start in Dallas
  • She was a Life Member of the PTA, member of the Society of Government Meeting Professionals (SGMP) and the Texas Caucus of Black School Board Members
  • Received President’s Award from SGMP and Concerned DeSoto Citizens; received a posthumous resolution from the Texas State Legislature celebrating her contributions to education in DeSoto
  • Active member of the Antioch Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church in Dallas and volunteered with Sisterhood Helping Hands

 

DESOTO ISD HALL OF HONOR PROGRAM

The DeSoto ISD Hall of Honor was established to recognize both alumni of DeSoto High School and those who have served the district in various capacities. The Alumni Hall of Fame Award criteria included special achievements and honors in the individual’s career, and community service or contributions to society. The Distinguished Service Award weighed support and service specific to DeSoto ISD and to education in general, as well as fostering an education-valued community.

A 20-member Selection Committee scored all the nominations received, then met to make the final selection for the Hall of Honor. The permanent display for the Distinguished Service Award is located in the atrium of the academy wing by the bank. The Alumni Hall of Fame Award permanent display is located at the Eagle Drive entrance to DeSoto High School.