Quaker Foundation to honor four at New Philadelphia homecoming
The 31st annual ceremony will recognize a retired educator, a longtime administrator, and two lifelong supporters of Quaker athletics during halftime of the Sept. 26 football game.
The New Philadelphia City Schools Quaker Foundation will recognize four individuals at its 31st annual homecoming ceremony Sept. 26 during halftime of the high school football game.
Each year the foundation honors those who have provided dedicated service to the district, both inside and outside the classroom. This year’s recipients are:
— Peggy Range, Retired Educator Award: Range taught English language arts at Welty Middle School for 10 years, bringing literature to life for her students. She is remembered for her dramatic readings of "Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry." A graduate of Berne High School and Ohio University, she also taught and coached at Meadowbrook and Perkins high schools, served as Special and Gifted Education director for the East Central Ohio Educational Service Center, and taught GED classes at Buckeye Career Center. “My time in the New Philadelphia City School District was the most rewarding of all,” she said.
— Phil and Sharon Tidrick, Spirit Award: Lifelong New Philadelphia residents and Quaker graduates, the couple has spent decades supporting district athletics. Phil, a 1975 graduate, taught and coached for 35 years, serving as head coach in basketball, baseball and golf. He created “Gundy Day” to honor late coach Leo Gundy and remains active as a WJER radio announcer and member of the Quaker Club, Hall of Fame Committee and City Park Board. Sharon, a 1976 graduate, was a high school cheerleader. Together, the couple continues to support Quaker athletics.
— Karen Jenkins, Merit Award: Jenkins devoted 35 years to education in New Philadelphia, serving as a teacher, principal, assistant superintendent and grant writer. She secured more than $500,000 in funding for district initiatives. Jenkins also founded the Quaker Foundation in 1993, helping provide thousands of scholarships and teacher grants. “We could start a foundation. We could call it the Quaker Foundation,” she recalled of the group’s early discussions.
The Quaker Foundation is located at 124 N. Broadway, open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday, and features school memorabilia. Ahead of homecoming, it will host a pancake breakfast Sept. 22 from 8-11 a.m. at Tuscora Park pavilion. Admission is $5, with proceeds benefiting the foundation.
