Launch the media gallery 1 player2008 HALL OF FAME AWARD
The 2008 Hall of Fame inductee has been a fixture on Cunningham’s Main Street and on the road between Cunningham and Zenda for the past 27 years. June 30 will mark the end of this phase of his educational career, which began in Garden City at the St. Mary’s School, in 1973, continued to Ingalls, and then brought him to USD 332 in 1981.
Tonight’s honoree has served on numerous educational boards and committees, including the Schools for Quality Education/Rural Small Schools executive committee, Kansas State High School Activities Association Board of Directors and Past President of the Executive Board of KSHSAA, and has held memberships in the Council of Superintendents, United School Administrators, and Kansas Association of School Administrators, to name a few.
Closer to home, he helped organize the new “Heart of the Plains League,” serving as its first president. He served as the chairman of the Kingman County Spelling Bee for most of his tenure, helped attain state approval and funding for the Zenda Charter School, assisted with a grant to expand preschool services to the area. Under his leadership as superintendent, district schools have received the Standard of Excellence Awards. He serves on the West Kingman County Education Foundation Board of Directors. He’s also been known to pitch in as a substitute bus driver and play director!
Service to his nation and community have also been evident in his stint in the United States Army Infantry from 1968-1970, including a tour of duty in Vietnam. He is a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Locally, he is the adjutant of the American Legion and is a member of the Lions Club, in which he has been instrumental in making sure the Lions Club calendar comes to pass each year. He served as a summer baseball and softball coach, was a Scoutmaster for both Cub and Boy Scouts, and was a 4H leader, serving as Superintendent of the County Fair for over 10 years. He actively helped with the Cunningham swim program. He has been a faithful member of his church, having led the CYO and taught CCD classes.
A native of Pritchett, Colorado, he received his Bachelor’s degree from Adams State College in Alamosa, CO, in 1968. In 1976, he earned his Master’s of Education degree from Wichita State, followed in 1980 by his Education Specialist degree from Wichita State.
Well, from the time I opened my mouth to speak, you all knew the honoree was Melvin Ormiston. He and his wife, Mary Lynn, are the parents of six children, all of whom are Cunningham High School graduates, and the proud grandparents of 5 grandchildren. Mr. and Mrs. Ormiston plan to relocate to Goddard, KS.
Please join me in welcoming the newest inductee to the West Kingman County 332 Hall of Fame, Mr. Melvin R. Ormiston.
