ORANGE – Ralph C. Mahar Regional School had a ceremony on Friday, inducting the first group of alums to the Wall of Fame.

“Today’s event is very special, it is the first of many to recognize Ralph C. Mahar graduates for their accomplishments in their respective fields,” Principal Scott Hemlin said to the auditorium full of students on Sept. 22. “Your experiences in education will serve as the keys to open doors of opportunities for yourself in the future.”

The ceremony recognized Mahar graduates whom their peers nominated for their accomplishments in various career fields and contributions to the community. In addition to recognizing and honoring the seven inductees, the ceremony provided current students with the opportunity to see what graduates have done beyond high school.

Hemlin stressed that success should be defined individually and can mean different things to different people. He said no matter what that success looks like it “will in part be shaped by the experiences you gained here as students at Mahar.”

The first alum introduced at the ceremony was Greg Dunar, who graduated from Mahar in 2006 and currently works in digital marketing for Disney. Dunbar explained his experience at Mahar—collaborating with other students and taking direction from teachers — helped him learn how to navigate his chosen career.

“My advice is not to get caught up in a dream job,” he said to the students.

Dunar explained that when he was in school, his job didn’t exist yet, so he encouraged students to take risks and seek opportunities, because they can lead to unknown places.

Also inducted in the Wall of Fame was 2012 graduate Dylan Robichaud, who works as a meteorologist at a news station and thinks there is a lack of scientific education going out to the public.

“Every day I can teach people new things,” he said.

Robichaud told the students they should take advantage of their free education because learning gets more expensive once they graduate from public high school. Robichaud said he was not a good student while at Mahar, but was able to get where he was because the teachers “bent over backward to get me what I needed.”

Inductees included 1969 graduates and current Mahar teachers Pennie and Pam Smith. They wrote a speech advocating for students to get involved in extracurricular activities. They said being teachers has given them the opportunity to be positive role models and working with young people produces a fresh perspective on life.

Construction manager Hunter Apteker, who graduated in 2017, will also be placed on the Wall of Fame.

He said that while at Mahar he took a range of electives that “sharpened his technical skills,” including woodworking and digital music production. His time at Mahar gave him the foundational base to effectively communicate with others in his job.

2009 graduate Brittany Adams also took the stage. She works as an occupational therapist, educator and clinician and said she loves her job because every day is different and she is always learning something new.

She said her time at Mahar, especially being a part of the volunteer organization Key Club, “literally laid the groundwork for me to become a leader.” She told the students not to take the easy path, even if they are afraid of a challenge.

The last to be inducted was emergency room nurse Kaila Richard. She said Mahar prepared her for her current job by instilling a work ethic that has served her throughout her life. She told students to embrace failure and not give up on the first try.

“Good luck to all Mahar students and future graduates,” said Richard. “You guys got this.”

Reach Bella Levavi at 413-930-4579 or blevavi@recorder.com