Fulton Public Schools Foundation honored two alumni and four educators at its recent gala.
The gala was at Backer Dining Hall on the Westminster College Campus in Fulton. Gala attendees were able to view displays of innovative projects funded by foundation grants and meet the educators who created them.
John Ferrugia, Fulton High School class of 1969, is an anchor, managing editor and investigative reporter of Rocky Mountain PBS in Denver, Colorado. After receiving his bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Missouri School of Journalism, Ferrugia had a long string of accomplishments in his field including reporting for the CBS Morning News from the White House.
Rick Means graduated from FHS in 1973. After graduation, he received his bachelor's degree from the University of Missouri and started as a claim's adjuster for Shelter Insurance in Columbia. Means worked his way up through the ranks at Shelter, and in July 2012, he was named CEO, becoming the 11th CEO in the company's 73-year history. Means also serves as board chair.
Four educators honored were Pat Grubb, Jane Hall, Bob Fisher Sr. and Billie Taylor.
Grubb, a 1969 FHS graduate, taught remedial math at Bush until the early 1980s when she moved to Bartley Elementary. Grubb taught third grade at Bartley until her retirement in 1998. She taught in the Fulton Public Schools for 21 years.
Hall did her student teaching at Fulton High School in 1967. That August, she began her career at FHS. Hall taught all aspects of business from shorthand to accounting, to office technology and everything in between. In May 2006, she retired after 39 years of teaching.
Bob Fisher Jr. accepted the award posthumously on behalf of his father, Coach Bob Fisher. The elder Fisher, FHS class of 1954, began teaching in Fulton in 1961. He soon became the head football and track coach and athletic director. After 30 years, he retired from Fulton Public Schools in 1991.
Taylor's nephew, Kevin Richmond, accept the award posthumously on her behalf. Taylor began teaching fourth grade at her alma mater, Carver School, in 1951. Eleven years later, in 1962, she became Carver's principal. In 1968, Taylor became principal at Bush School. After 36 years in education, she retired in 1987.
To see more pictures, visit fultonschoolsfoundation.org/the-gala-2019/.
Next year's foundation gala will be March 14. Foundation officials are accepting nominations for both outstanding alumni and educators. Submit the name of your nominees and why you think this person should be awarded this honor to [email protected].