Fredericktown honors alumni whose roots shaped their success

The sixth class of inductees into Fredericktown's Distinguished Alumni Hall of Honor showed that, while the five members went on to great things in their lives, it was the foundation built while at Fredericktown that helped them achieve their lofty goals and accomplishments.

Dr. David Dalrymple, Judge Otho Eyster, Dr. Larry Overholt, actor Luke Perry and Dr. Kyle Randall were each elected to this prestigious honor and inducted during a ceremony April 17 in the high school gymnasium.

“This morning, we are here to recognize the outstanding achievements of individuals who are graduates of Fredericktown school, and have emerged as examples of excellence in their respective fields,” said Fredericktown Superintendent Gary Chapman during the welcome. “To our students, as you hear the accomplishments of our inductees … know that these are individuals who walked the same halls, sat in the same classrooms and considered their futures, just as you do now. Their journey from a high school student to where they are now is a powerful reminder that your time here at Fredericktown is just the beginning of your unique path.”

As well as the five individuals, the Distinguished Alumni Hall of Honor Committee also recognized Chris Well, a longtime teacher at the elementary school and stalwart in the community.

Dr. William Elder, who gave the tribute to Well, said she was a charter member of the hall of honor committee and represented the community in many things, from the Tomato Show committee to distributing Christmas trees to residents in extended care facilities.

Well’s daughter, Ashley Overholt, followed in her footsteps as a teacher at Fredericktown and received the tribute in her honor.

“When I first heard mom was going to be recognized today, my first thought was ‘Wow, what am amazing gesture from the committee,’” Overholt said. “That was quickly followed with ‘Oh, she would not want that attention.’

“Truly, thank you to the committee for recognizing her commitment to this hall of honor, as well as to the school and community.”

Dr. David Dalrymple

Dalrymple’s dream was to make the world a better place, and he followed through on that dream.

The member of the Fredericktown Class of 1958 excelled in academics and band while in school, getting named to the National Honor Society. He majored in Chemistry at the College of Wooster, received his master’s degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and his doctorate from the University of Vermont.

Dalrymple was a professor at the University of Delaware before embarking on a career in scientific research. His work in instrumentation at Nicolet Instrument Corporation led the development of the MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) machine.

He later joined Thermal Fisher Scientific where his work with hearing aids led to two patents. He also served as president of the alumni association and helped grow the scholarship fund exponentially.

“David’s research led to two foundational patents. Foundational patents keep on giving, people build on them,” said Roger Davis in inducting Dalrymple. “David’s patents not only provided a nice royalty to him, but also were breakthroughs in hearing aids and MRI technology. MRIs are used today in hospitals and clinics all around the world. … Think about that for a moment. A young man who once walked the halls of Fredericktown helped create a technology that continues to touch millions.”

Otho Eyster

Eyster admitted he was caught off guard when he got the call for induction into the Hall of Honor.

The Class of 1961 member said he wasn’t the prototypical above-average student and that he never expected to be selected for such an honor. But, in the long run, Eyster found where he belonged and used that position to help the people of Knox County.

He became an attorney in Fredericktown after graduating from The Ohio State College of Law, serving as assistant public defender. He was elected as Knox County Prosecuting Attorney in 1976 and six years later elected judge of the Mount Vernon Municipal Court. Eyster was appointed to fill a vacancy on the Knox County Common Pleas Court in 1991 and was re-elected four times to the position.

“I’ll always be grateful to the citizens of Knox County for affording me the opportunity and the privilege of serving an elected office for 39 years. I’m very fortunate I had a career doing something I thoroughly enjoyed. I couldn’t wait to go to work each day. I finally found where I fit in,” Eyster said.

“There’s a sign over here that says your story isn’t over yet. That’s quite an understatement. Not only is your story not over, your story has just begun. So far, you’ve just started the introduction of your life. Your full story will be written. Set your goals, work hard, don’t get discouraged and never quit learning. Remember attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference. Like me, you may be surprised what you accomplish when you find out where you fit in.”

Outside of the courtroom, Eyster served the Big Brothers/Big Sisters organization, the Mental Health and Recovery Board for Licking and Knox County, the Knox County Foundation and the Fredericktown Scholarship committee.

Dr. Larry Overholt

Overholt’s calling in life led him all over the world. The member of the 1973 class, along with his wife, Angie, served more than 40 years as missionaries in Honduras.

He taught innovative farming there, while Angie established the first certified nursing school. He worked with Ohio State University to create a study abroad program in Honduras, accepting hundreds of students over the years.

“It’s a profound honor to be chosen for this recognition. Thank you to the committee for including me among such distinguished honorees,” Overholt said. “I especially give thanks to Jesus Christ for taking a teenager from Waterford, and calling me to a life that was infinitely more than I could have ever anticipated and imagined.”

After graduation from Fredericktown, Overholt studied at Asbury University, OSU and Mount Vernon Nazarene University, earning a PhD in agriculture and extension education, and a master’s in ministry. While growing up in Knox County, he learned the value of hard work, integrity and school.

“My parents taught me that the Overholt name should stand for two things – integrity and hard work. I learned the value of those traits, not just at home, but in the agricultural fields of Knox County,” he said. “While I’ve forgotten more than I remember, I’m deeply grateful for the knowledge foundation that I received in Fredericktown schools. I never made it on to the academic honor roll back then, but what I received was more important than grades. That foundation guided Angie and me as we spent our lives investing in education in southern Honduras.”

Luke Perry

The 1984 graduate of Fredericktown knew from an early age that he was going to live his life on TV.

From wearing the Freddie bird mascot outfit to participating in school plays, Perry was at home entertaining the folks of Fredericktown.

“As long as I could remember, Luke wanted to be on TV. He never wavered from his dream,” said his sister, Amy Coder-Perry. “For those of you kids that have a dream and want to pursue something different than your peers, don’t let others discourage you. Stay true to yourself. If you truly want something, the only thing standing in your way is you.”

After graduation, Perry first worked in New York City, filming commercials for major companies. He first appeared on TV in the soap opera “Loving,” but found his big break in the role of Dylan McKay in “Beverly Hills 90210.”

In 35-plus years in television and entertainment, Perry was in nearly 100 movies and TV shows. He credits included “Law and Order: Special Victims Unit,” “Criminal Minds,” “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” “The Fifth Element,” “8 Seconds” and “Love in Paradise.” He also voiced cartoon characters in “The Simpsons” and “Family Guy” and appeared on Broadway in “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.” But while reaching new heights in the world of entertainment, Fredericktown still held a special place in his heart.

“No matter how famous Luke became, he was just Luke. He didn’t care about brand name clothes or cars. The very first car he bought was a used Ford Bronco,” said Coder-Perry. “ What he did care about was where he came from. Luke was incredibly proud to be a Freddie. Whether it was coming home for the tomato show, seeing his family or friends, Luke loved Fredericktown.”

Dr. Kyle Randall

A member of the FHS class of 2000, Randall believed that everything happens for a reason.

Injuring his knee during high school football led him to a new calling – that of an orthopedic surgeon. After playing sports for many years, Randall now helps other athletes battle their way through injuries.

“I’m a firm believer that everything happens for a reason. My knee blowing out ended my playing days for that year, but it redirected me,” Randall said. “Spending time in the doctor’s offices, in surgery and physical therapy gave a first real look at orthopedics and eventually started me down that path.

“The experience also taught me that sports records fad, but you still have the rest of your life to live after high school.”

Randall graduated from Miami (Ohio) University with a degree in zoology, then received his doctorate from Wright State University. He has served as a team physician for several high schools, as well as the Ohio State football and hockey teams, and the Columbus Clippers. He also volunteered for Pelotonia, Special Olympics and Big Brothers/Big Sisters.

He credits his days working on his family’s dairy farm and the small-town values he learned in Fredericktown as building a solid foundation for his life after school.

“In my time after school, the strongest truth I’ve learned is that success in whatever you do is dictated by staying on your honor and the people you can help. Whether you go into medicine, teaching, farming, business, mechanics, anything else; take the skills that you’ve learned and the values you obtained here and use them to help other people,” Randall said. “Do it on your honor, treat people right; being honest in everything you do. It builds your reputation more than any degree or any amount of money ever will.”