FROM LEFT, FOREST PARK Hall of Fame committee members Kurt Anderson, Lyle Smithson, Becca LaChapelle, Becky Waters, Louise Holmes and Duane Anderson met recently to discuss plans for the Forest Park Achievement Hall of Fame that has been established in the Crystal Falls-based school district. (Theresa Proudfit/Daily News photo)

CRYSTAL FALLS — Many schools have an athletic hall of fame. Now, the Forest Park School District aims to establish one that recognizes accomplishments in other pursuits as well.

The Forest Park Achievement Hall of Fame wants nominations of district graduates who were successful in any field to show current and future generations in the community what’s possible.

“We are looking at inspiring our present students by recognizing achievements of those who walked the halls before they did here within this school district,” said Lyle Smithson, Achievement Hall of Fame committee member. “We talk about accomplishments, being successful, greatness — there are people from here who have done that. We’re sending the message to kids that even though you grow up in a small rural community in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, it’s very possible to go on and do great things, have a very successful life and positively impact other people.”

Community members and school administrators have kicked around the Achievement Hall of Fame for several years. But teacher, coach and Forest Park graduate Kurt Anderson rekindled the concept in the past year, putting together a committee that included people from different age groups plus representatives from Crystal Falls, Amasa and Alpha.

“Our goal here is to recognize people who have graduated from any of the respective school districts, pre-consolidation or post-consolidation, who have made great contributions to society and have been successful,” Smithson said.

“From there, we became serious about moving forward and started to review different examples of bylaws, and established a mission statement. We are honoring the accomplishments, commitments, and contributions of graduates that have made an exemplary contribution to their community by making a difference in the lives of those around them.”

Said committee member Louise Holmes, “We want to highlight the achievements of countless alumni who have gone on to make a difference in their community and this is a way to bring a platform for this recognition and raise awareness of the importance of success and perseverance.”

The committee plans to induct four individuals a year, with nominations of to include teachers, coaches, athletes, business people, distinguished military and other professionals who graduated from the district at least 10 years ago.

“One of the discussions we had was not over defining it. As soon as you define what it should or shouldn’t be, you risk missing out on someone you may not have thought of. We have no idea what kind of nominations we are going to get and that is what is exciting about the process. So we hope people don’t hesitate to nominate someone,” Anderson said.

Individuals may be nominated representing any of the following five categories:

— Contributor: Those who made significant and outstanding contributions to the school district and/or athletic programs at Forest Park.

— Distinguished alumni: An individual who has experienced significant success in his or her field at the post-secondary level in anything outside of athletics. Forest Park graduates who have had significant success outside of Forest Park also will be considered. Examples include, but are not limited to: An individual’s career community or volunteer service, either in the Forest School District or the individual’s community of residence; distinguished military service; academic awards; or achievements at the postsecondary level.

— Athlete: Any person who distinguished himself or herself in the field of athletics.

— Coach or administrator: Any coach/administrator who distinguished himself or herself by making significant contributions at Forest Park School District. The nominee must be inactive in the district to be eligible for consideration.

— Pre-consolidation: Any contributor to the greater Forest Park School District before the consolidation of Alpha, Amasa and Crystal Falls schools.

All nominations must be submitted annually by May 1 to be eligible for the Hall of Fame induction, as outside input may be required for the selection committee to make its decisions, notify inductees and prepare for a fall ceremony.

“One of the ideas we kicked around was tying it in with Spirit Week Homecoming, because we want to impact the kids. Traditionally, Homecoming is about alumni coming back,” Smithson said.

The Hall of Fame will be installed on the south wall of the school cafeteria. A plaque with a photo and list of each alumni’s accomplishments will be displayed on the wall.

“The cafeteria was chosen for two reasons: One, because it’s so publicly seen at every basketball game, but also so the students get to see it every day,” said Becky Waters, district superintendent. Waters explained that many students became who they are because they started at Forest Park schools. “I don’t know how it (the hall of fame) will affect students, but if it affects one student a year, it’s worth it,” she said.

The committee is looking for donations from alumni, community members and businesses to help with the startup costs for the Hall of Fame. Revenue will be needed for plaques, headboard sign and prep work with a goal of $5,000.00 for startup money.

“The funds will be minimal, but we have guaranteed Mrs. Waters and the board that there would be no cost to the school district, so we are looking to raise the funds,” Smithson said.

The committee also plans to recognize the sponsors. “We have had overwhelming support from the community, which speaks to the alumni base that we have,” Anderson said.

“We can’t thank Kurt enough for really going with this. This was a concept that was discussed for probably four years that went nowhere. He grabbed the bull by the horns and ran with it.”

Added Smithson, “We feel that this is something that the community will really grasp. I have heard nothing but positive comments. We want our community and our students to stay connected to this school and that we reconnect the alumni through this also. There are tremendous successes that have come out of this school.”