Five prominent alumni and two longtime educators comprise the Neenah Joint School District’s fifth annual Hall of Fame class in 2019. Graduates Dr. Kerri Blobaum, Philip Johnston, Kris Kelderman, Tami (Whitlinger) Jones and Teri (Whitlinger) Boynton will be inducted along with former teachers Gary Parker and Jim Vine. The group brings the total members of the Hall of Fame to 34.
The inductees were selected by a committee of 15 individuals that included former and current employees and alumni. They will be honored at a banquet on Sat., Sept. 28 at 11:30 a.m. at Best Western Premier Bridgewood Resort Hotel and Conference Center in Neenah as part of the District’s homecoming festivities. Tickets will go on sale in early August.
Blobaum, a 1990 graduate, works as a materials scientist at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. She is a recognized expert in the field of actinide science and also led a team that developed specialized targets for high-energy-density physics experiements at the National Ignition Facility, the world’s most powerful laser. She has engaged in scientific exchanges with representatives of other nations, including Russia. Blobaum has received a U.S. Department of Energy Defense Program Award of Excellence and a Lawrence Livermore Director’s Science and Technology Award. She earned a Bachelors’ Degree from Wartburg College (Iowa), a Master’s Degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Ph.D. from Johns Hopkins University (Md.). In high school, she was part of band, symphony, debate, forensics and math team. She resides in Livermore, Calif.
Johnston, a 1990 graduate, is an Oscar and Annie Award-winning screenwriter for Walt Disney Animation Studios. Johnston wrote the screenplay for “Zootopia,” which won an Academy Award, Golden Globe and Annie Award for Best Animated Feature Film. Individually, he won an Annie Award for Best Writing in “Zootopia” and “Wreck-it-Ralph.” Johnston also co-directed the recently-released “Ralph Breaks the Internet” that was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature Film. He received a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and won an outstanding alumni award from UW-Madison in 2014. Johnston earned a Master’s Degree from Columbia University (N.Y.). He resides in Los Angeles.
Kelderman, a 1987 graduate, won championships at every level of his soccer career. After leading Neenah to consecutive state titles in 1985 and 1986, Kelderman was the University of Virginia’s leading scorer for its 1989 NCAA championship squad. He played professionally for nine years and was an eighth round selection in the inaugural Major League Soccer draft in 1996 by D.C. United. He was a member of the first two MLS Cup championship teams with D.C. United in 1996 and 1997. Kelderman was the Wisconsin High School Player of the Year as a senior and was inducted into the Wisconsin State Soccer Association Hall of Fame in 2010. He has coached college and professional teams since his retirement from playing in 2000. Kelderman is now in his seventh season as the head coach at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and resides in Glendale.
Parker has more wins than any football coach in Neenah history, posting a 108-69-2 record from 1972-91. During his tenure, the Rockets won seven conference championships and made three WIAA playoff appearances, advancing to the state semifinals in 1988. A physical education teacher, he served as physical education department chair prior to his retirement in 1993. He also was the head boys track and field coach for 10 seasons, winning three conference championships. A Spooner native, Parker was a three-year basketball letterwinner at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and began his coaching career at Berlin High School. He still resides in Neenah.
Vine was the originator of the Neenah High School Vintage show choir. He taught music and choir to junior and senior high school students in Neenah from 1970-2000. His show choir ensembles won numerous awards in competitions throughout the country. Vine is a University of Hawaii graduate and earned a master’s degree at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. Vine played professionally with Lou Rawls, Sammy Davis Jr., Wayne Newton, Johnnie Ray and Frankie Avalon. He also played guitar with Bette Midler. Many of his students have gone onto careers in music and teaching. Vine has been active in the choir at St. Margaret Mary church in Neenah and still resides in Neenah.
Teri (Whitlinger) Boynton, a 1987 graduate, is the only four-time WIAA state doubles tennis champion in state history. She lost one match during her high school career, coming in a freshman doubles match. Boynton had a successful junior career winning one singles national title and three doubles national titles with her sister, Tami. She was a four-time All-American performer at Stanford University and still holds Stanford’s school record for singles victories with a 101-6 career record. Boynton’s teams won the NCAA team championship all four years. She won the 1990 NCAA doubles championship and teamed with her sister to reach the third round of the 1991 U.S. Open doubles draw. She played professionally in World Team Tennis with the Sacramento Capitals. Boynton lives in Tampa, Fla.
Tami (Whitlinger) Jones, a 1987 graduate, never lost a match in her high school career, finishing 105-0 as one of three players in state history to win four WIAA singles titles. She won two junior national singles titles and three doubles national titles. Jones played collegiately for two years at Stanford University, earning All-American honors both seasons while leading her team to the NCAA championship. Professionally, she reached at least the third round of every Grand Slam tournament, including the fourth round of the 1991 French Open when she reached her career high singles ranking of No. 41 in the world. She won a USTA pro circuit event in Greensboro, N.C. in 1989. Jones played four years with the Sacramento Capitals in World Team Tennis. She resides in Greenville, S.C.
Nominations for future Hall of Fame classes are accepted through the Neenah Joint School District website. Forms are also available at the District Office. Individuals need to be nominated by November 30 to be considered for the upcoming year. Once an individual is nominated, he or she will be considered every year.
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