The South Windsor High School Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be held on Saturday, March 1st at Maneeley’s Lodge in South Windsor. It will begin at 5pm with a cocktail hour, then a dinner followed by the induction ceremony.
The South Windsor Hall of Fame is housed in the lobby of SWHS with the names of the various inductees inscribed on plaques and a monitor that displays their pictures throughout the day.
The purpose of the South Windsor Hall of Fame is to honor SWHS alumni who have made significant impacts and contributions to athletics, academics and other student body activities. The Hall of Fame was established in 2013 and has continued to add members ever since.
Acceptance into the Hall of Fame is a complex decision. A nomination form is available online, but applicants must be screened by a committee that ultimately decides acceptance.
“We do hold onto the applications from year to year. So if someone doesn’t make it one year they may get in another year,” said SWHS art teacher and co-organizer of the event, Annie Rentz.
Craig Zimmerman was an inductee during the first year of the Hall of Fame’s existence. He is a member of the South Windsor Board of Education and has been a volunteer coach at the High School for 36 years. Zimmerman credits this as one of his biggest contributions to the town.
Zimmerman thinks that the Hall of Fame is a great idea that allows remarkable alumni and employees of SWHS to be recognized for their accomplishments and contributions.
Jean Luddy, one of this year’s inductees says that she is, “quite pleased and honored to be selected for induction into the Hall of Fame.” Luddy is a former Library Media Specialist at SWHS and has worked hard throughout her career ensuring that students had access to all the resources they needed to be successful.
“…my primary goal was to help students learn how to collect, evaluate and utilize information from print and non-print resources,” Luddy said. “I also felt it was my role to encourage students to read for enjoyment and for personal interests by offering a wide array of books and magazines.”
This can be seen in the SWHS media center through the many shelves lined with books and displays up on the walls.
The accomplishments of this year’s inductees range from working in Barack Obama’s campaign to teaching both locally at and that college level.
Tickets for the event are $65 and have been on sale since January 6th.
The inductees for the 2024-25 year:
Emilie Aries -Class of 2005
Chris Calio – Class of 1992
Susan Deskis – Class of 1980
Jon DiSalvatore – Class of 1999
Jean Luddy – SWHS staff
Jim O’Loughlin – SWHS staff
Kevin Rennie – Class of 1976
Jane Goodwin Robinson – Class of 1976
“I enjoy reading and learning about the accomplishments of former students and staff of the High School,” Rentz said.
The Hall of Fame allows us to recognize people who have made an impact on our community, while allowing people to learn about their community.
Susan Deskis, graduated from South Windsor High School in 1980. She was an avid student, worked on the literary magazine and played in the band. After graduation, she went to Cornell University, where she fell captive to a fascination with medieval literature and culture. She graduated magna cum laude with a B.A. in Comparative Literature then went to Harvard University and got her PHD, after which she decided to teach in English at Northern Illinois University, and she remained there until her retirement in 2019. Outside of Education, Deskis likes gardening and horseback riding.
Emilie Aries graduated from South Windsor High School in 2005. She went to Brown University where she studied Political Science. Before she worked on Obama’s Campaign, she already worked in social justice and community organizing. She is currently working in Denver Colorado where she is busy with her business and family.
Jane Goodwin Robinson was on the varsity tennis team at SWHS. She graduated from South Windsor High School in 1976. She took a degree in clothing, textiles and home economics education. She also taught environmental science and biology at Rockville High School. Robinson was an active member on the board of the Wood Memorial Library and Museum. Then, she got a chance to teach science lessons to 3rd and 5th grade students.
Jon Disalvatore graduated from South Windsor High School’s class of ‘99. He was amazing at hockey and pursued hockey with the Springfield junior picks. He was able to pursue hockey at the collegiate level with a scholarship to Providence College. He also had a professional hockey career which continued in the NHL, AHL and DEL.
Jim O’Loughlin majored in math and education after high school. He received his M.A in Education from Trinity College. He started his teaching career at Timothy Edwards Middle School, then he taught at South Windsor High School until his retirement. In 1990, he received the ‘Teacher of the Year Award’.
Chris Calio graduated from South Windsor in 1992. He was a member of the honor roll in his 4 years in high school. He played basketball and baseball in school athletics. He was also co-captain in the varsity basketball team. He got a law degree from the University of Connecticut. Currently, he is the president and chief executive officer of RTX corporation.
