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Breitung Township Schools to honor Achievement Hall of Fame inductees

KINGSFORD — Breitung Township Schools will honor their 2025 Achievement Hall of Fame inductees during a banquet at noon Friday, Oct. 17, at Pine Grove Country Club.

This year’s honorees include Bill Bertoldi, Don Edens, Gene Farrington and Ben Sherk. Community members are invited to attend. A time for socializing will start at 11:30 a.m.

Tickets can be purchased at the Kingsford High School Office for $15 per person to cover the cost of the meal. Questions can be directed to Jamie Lockhart at KHS, 906-779-2670, ext. 4.

Bertoldi is a distinguished educator, mentor and community leader, best known for his 30-year career as a science and math teacher at Kingsford High School and his instrumental role in creating the “Rockets for Schools” program.

A native of the area, Bertoldi graduated from Kingsford High School in 1976, where he participated in National Honor Society, Varsity Club, football, basketball and served as track manager. He later earned a degree in biological sciences from Michigan Technological University in 1980. After teaching in Illinois and Wisconsin, he returned to Kingsford in 1984, where he taught for three decades and was a freshman basketball coach. He retired in 2014 due to health concerns, but his commitment to education and Flivver Nation continued.

Perhaps Bertoldi’s most significant contribution to the Kingsford community was the “Rockets for Schools” program, which he advised from 1996 to 2020. The program, which at times had more female than male students, inspired countless young people to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, or STEM. The students built and launched rockets of various sizes with some projects reaching a height of 17 feet and weighing 180 pounds. Bertoldi’s dedication to the program was so profound that he often donated his salary as advisor back into the program to ensure students had the necessary materials.

His influence extended beyond Kingsford High School. He mentored the Keweenaw Rocket Range club at Michigan Tech, helping college students who had no prior experience build and launch high-powered rockets in national and international competitions.

Throughout his career, Bertoldi was recognized for his excellence in education and rocketry. He received the Daimler Chrysler Engineering Educator Award, the National Association of Rocketry’s Robert L. Cannon Grant, and the Michigan Tech Academy of Educators Award. His work was featured in national publications, and he made numerous presentations to promote science education.

Bertoldi has also faced significant personal health challenges, including living with diabetes for more than 59 years and battling cancer three times. He was an early participant in groundbreaking medical studies at the Mayo Clinic for both diabetes and kidney stone treatment. His personal experiences led to the creation of a “Beat Cancer” rocket, which was used as part of a campaign to raise funds for a new cancer clinic.

Through his unwavering dedication to his students and community, Bertoldi has left a lasting legacy of inspiration, leadership and a passion for learning.

Edens, a lifelong member of the Breitung Township School District, dedicated 49 years to the community as a student, educator, coach and athletic director.

Edens graduated from Kingsford High School in 1963 and went on to earn both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Northern Michigan University.

As a student athlete, Edens was a four-sport star, earning 13 varsity letters. He was a highly decorated football player, earning All-Conference, All-U.P. and All-State honors in 1962. His athletic career continued at Northern Michigan University, where he played football on a full scholarship until shoulder injuries ended his playing days. He then transitioned to a student assistant coach.

Edens returned to Kingsford in 1969 to begin a long and impactful career. He taught math for 14 years before serving as an assistant principal and, for 17 years, as the school’s athletic director. He also coached football, track and basketball, including eight years as the head varsity football coach.

As the BTS athletic director from 1987 to 2004, Edens spearheaded a major bond issue that led to the construction of a new middle school and a $1.7 million renovation of athletic facilities. These improvements transformed the Kingsford sports complex into one of the best in the state, enabling the school to host numerous U.P. Track & Field and tennis finals on its campus.

Under his leadership, Kingsford’s athletic program expanded from 14 to 24 teams. During his tenure, the football team had a winning percentage of 78.4% and won a state title. The basketball team’s winning percentage also saw a significant increase.

Edens’ extensive contributions were widely recognized. He was named U.P. Athletic Director of the Year multiple times and received the MHSAA’s Allen W. Bush Award in 2001 for his service to athletics. He was inducted into the U.P. Sports Hall of Fame in 2006. It was a great loss to the community when he passed away in 2015.

Farrington was a pillar of support, known for his kindness and willingness to help, including serving on the BTS School Board, volunteering at athletic events and helping to build the football concession stands. His most impactful act came in 1967 when he led a group that raised $25,000 in one month to save all extracurricular activities after they were cut by the school board.

Farrington, born on May 15, 1926 in Gays Mills, Wis., was a resident of Kingsford since 1932. His life has been a testament to hard work, community service and unwavering loyalty to his community and the Breitung Township School district.

Farrington graduated from KHS on June 6, 1944. His time in high school was spent balancing academics with working, hunting and trapping. He bravely attempted to enlist in the U.S. Navy at the age of 17 but was turned away twice and had to wait until he graduated. Just two days after graduation, he left to serve in the Navy during World War II, a commitment that lasted for two years.

His work ethic was evident from a young age, starting at 15 by cutting wood in Florence, Wis., in 1941. His diverse career path included working on the Giacchino’s farm from 1942 to 1943, at Ford Motor Company from 1946 to 1947, AEG Electric Company from 1947 to 1953, and the Mather B Iron Ore Mine from 1953 to 1955. Farrington spent 32 years as a lineman at the Wisconsin Electric Power Company, retiring on April 6, 1988.

Farrington was a standout athlete, recognized for his achievements in both boxing and ski jumping. He started boxing at age 14 in 1940 as a lightweight, eventually moving up to middleweight. He boxed throughout the U.P. until 1952, competing in places such as Iron River, Marquette, Escanaba, and local fairs. From 1947 to 1953, he was a skilled ski jumper, competing in the Class A division at Pine Mountain. For his years of involvement in skiing, he was honored by TV-6 at the 2024 ski meet at the age of 98.

Farrington’s dedication and positive attitude, often summarized by his response of “always good,” have made him an inspiration to many.

Sherk, a dedicated music teacher and band director, was nominated due to his profound impact on thousands of students throughout his 37-year career at Kingsford High School.

Sherk graduated from Marquette High School in 1981 and earned a bachelor’s degree in music education from Northern Michigan University in 1985, where he was a member of numerous musical groups. He later obtained a master’s degree from NMU in 1995.

As a teacher, Sherk taught students at each level of the music program, with the KHS Marching Band, sometimes reaching over 100 members, which was nearly 20% of the high school’s total enrollment. He implemented a leadership program for students, including a “Band Buddy” mentor system for freshmen, and established a yearly week-long band camp to teach leadership skills. He started the Band Booster Club to purchase new uniforms and created the annual “Night/Light” show, a popular halftime performance with lights and pyro techniques.

He also initiated the “Middle of the Open Road” (MOTOR) middle school marching band and a middle school pep band. Under his direction, the KHS Marching Band was the first to memorize their music at NMU Band Day. Sherk also took the band on trips to Chicago, New York and Disney World. On a 2005 trip to New York City, the music department received multiple first-place awards for the Jazz Choir and Mixed Chorus AA.

Throughout his career, Sherk received numerous awards and honors, including a Certificate of Congressional Recognition for 30 years of teaching from U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow. He was also selected to direct the Houghton Area Honors Band and was named grand marshal of the Fourth of July parade in 2023.

Beyond his professional achievements, Sherk’s legacy is defined by his unwavering passion for music and profound dedication to his students. He is widely described as a lifelong educator who helped students become not just better musicians, but better people. He fostered a supportive environment where students felt they were part of a family.

Although he retired in 2019, his commitment to education led him to return to substitute teach until 2023. Sherk continues to support the students of the district in various capacities as a substitute teacher and private lessons instructor.

A committee plans to induct four individuals per year, with nominations to include teachers, coaches, athletes, business people, distinguished military and other professionals who have been graduated from Breitung Township Schools for at least 10 years, or those individuals who have been involved, devoted to and supportive of the school district.

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