Alumni Hall of Fame
The Heyworth Education Foundation, in partnership with the Heyworth School District, has established The Heyworth Alumni Hall of Fame. Its purpose is to promote the quality of Heyworth education, inspire current students, and to recognize the achievements of Heyworth graduates and those who’ve demonstrated outstanding dedication to Heyworth schools.
2023 Heyworth Alumni Hall of Fame Inductees
It is our pleasure to introduce the honorees in 2023: Kerry Kidwell and Ethel Jones Sheffler:
​
Kerry Kidwell
Distinguished Alumnus 2023
Graduating Class 1969
​
Kerry Kidwell graduated from the University of Illinois in 1973 with a degree in Business Administration. He has enjoyed a long career in real estate sales and education. Some of his accomplishments include:
nine professional designations, being named a Realtor Emeritus and youngest member inducted into the Bloomington-Normal Association of Realtors Hall of Fame.
He has written articles on the state and national level, authored licensing and continuing education classes, and has authored real estate exam prep and proficiency review books. He has trained thousands of real estate agents and is a sought-after speaker and educator in the field of real estate.
He was co-founder of the Heyworth Economic Development Council, Heyworth Hey Days, and Heyworth Education Foundation. He also secretly designed and purchased the original Buzzy outfit, the Heyworth mascot. For many years he attended games, walked in parades, and attended community and sporting events, all anonymously.
​
​
Ethel Jones Sheffler
Distinguished Alumnus 2023
Graduating Class 1936
Ethel Jones graduated from Heyworth High School in 1936. She took her first flight lesson in 1942 and a year later she joined the Women's Airforce Service Pilots (WASP 44-W-5). As part of her Army orders she logged over 500 hours and flew engineering test, utility, and administrative flights as well as instrument flight instruction.
​
Following her military service, she was a flight instructor and charter pilot at airfields in Illinois, New Jersey, and Tennessee. Ethel became the 7th woman in the world to obtain her helicopter rating, and was a charter member of the Whirly-Girls, a well-known organization that aims to advance women in helicopter aviation. In 1960, she returned to flying full time as a chief instructor and charter pilot while raising her 3 daughters.
​
Sheffler retired as a flight instructor at the age of 83, with over 25,600 flight hours. In 2010, the nation's first fly girls were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal at a ceremony in the U.S. Capitol. Ethel died on June 5, 2018, (age 98). Ethel’s military service has been highlighted in museum exhibits in the Experimental Aviation Association Museum and the WWII WASP Museum.
2020 Heyworth Alumni Hall of Fame Inductees
It is our pleasure to introduce the inaugural honorees in 2020: Dr. Lucinda Hany, Mr. Ryan Mellske, and Ms. Connie Link.
Dr. Lucinda Hany, MD, provides obstetrics and gynecologic care for patients in the Springfield area. She began her practice in 2007 and joined Springfield Clinic’s Center for Women’s Health in 2011.
Mr. Ryan Mellske is an attorney and law professor based in Washington, DC. He works to resolve international legal disputes between sovereign governments and international businesses around the world. He founded his own international arbitration practice, Flex Arbitri in 2019 and co-authored a legal treatise, The International Arbitration Rulebook: A Guide to Arbitral Regimes. He is also a Senior Lecturing Fellow at Duke Law School, where he teaches classes and coaches student teams for international moot court competitions.
Ms. Connie Link (1946-2008) began teaching at Heyworth High School in 1971, served as English Department Chair, directed theater and coached the speech team for 35 years. In 2004, she received the Marcella E. Oberle Award for Outstanding Teaching in Grades K-12 from the National Communication Association. In 2005, she was the Illinois recipient of the National Federation of High School's Outstanding Speech/Theatre/Debate Educator Award. She also received several awards for her service to the Illinois Speech & Theater Association. She was a creative force behind the Normal Parks & Rec Summer Theater Program and in November 2005, Heyworth High School dedicated their new theater in her honor.
