Induction Class of 2002

Class of 1995

Determination and perseverance best personify Amanda Borden. After years of hard work, sacrifice and dedication to gymnastics, on her journey to Olympic gold in 1996 she became a three-time World Championship team member, a Pan-American double gold medalist, a six-time national team member, and the 1995 USAG Sportswoman of the Year. She led her teammates as captain of the 1996 USA Women’s Gymnastics Team to win the gold at the Olympic Games in Atlanta, GA.

Since the 1996 Olympics, Amanda has tested her broadcasting wings as commentator for ESPN, Turner Broadcasting, CBS, and Universal Studios/Daniel Flannery Studios in their joint venture for the 2002 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremonies.

Amanda also enjoys motivational speaking to groups of all ages and is honored to be considered a role model. She also is active in Special Olympics, Duschenne’s Parent Project for Muscular Dystrophy, USAG’s Athlete's Advisory Council, and a board member of the 2012 Olympic endeavor for Cincinnati.

In 2000, Amanda was honored as one of the “Ten Outstanding Young Cincinnatians” by the Cincinnati branch of the Jaycees and their nominee and a runner-up for the national “Ten Outstanding Young Americans.”

Amanda’s accomplishments in gymnastics, academics, motivational speaking, commentating and community service are remarkable. She has returned to Cottonwood, her elementary school, and the high school to speak about her experiences and to inspire today’s students to work hard to make their dreams come true.

Steward of Finneytown

Bob’s career on the Finneytown Board of Education began when he was appointed to the School Board Advisory Committee in 1961. In 1964, he was appointed to fill the unexpired term of a resigned board member which ran until 1967. He then was elected to three four-year terms, retiring as board president in 1977.

He also served on the Ohio School Board Association, Cincinnati Schools Foundation, Finneytown Schools Education Foundation (he is a life member), and as the Cornell University Finneytown campus representative.

Bob’s involvement in community affairs is widespread. At Northminster Church he has served as youth leader, teacher, deacon and elder. He also was involved with the View Place Drive Civic Association, Drake Center Auxiliary, Hamilton County Red Cross, Finneytown Civic Association, Northminster Church (building construction manager), and Habitat for Humanity and Sign of the Cross inner-city projects, City Gospel Mission and Valley Faith Food and Clothing.

Bob and his wife Patricia had four children who graduated from Finneytown: Jeffrey (1972), Peter (1974), Janet (1979), and R. Christopher (1986). Several years ago, Janet passed away, and an annual Sunshine Award is given out to junior and senior women in her memory.

Steward of Finneytown

Dorothy’s tenure in Finneytown began when she moved here in 1958. She wanted a relatively small school system for her three daughters, so they would be known as individuals rather than faces in the crowd. She had attended a small school herself and appreciated the intimacy it offered, and has never regretted her decision.

She began her involvement with Finneytown Schools as a volunteer reporter for the Northern Hills Journal, reporting every school board meeting. She was convinced that Finneytown residents needed to be informed about the schools. After several years, she decided to run as a member of the Finneytown Board of Education was reelected for twelve years from 1965 through 1977. During this time she worked toward improving the educational system for all pupils.

Among her initiatives were:

Including land near Whitaker and Brent Elementary Schools in a bond issues, adding much needed recreational/playground areas to the school and community.

Demanding that Finneytown add interscholastic sports for girls to its athletic program.

Encouraging the development of a strings program for the school district.

Establishing the Finneytown Community School concept.

Co-chairing a committee to raise $100,000 to operate a kindergarten in the fall of 1965.

Leading a Mariner Senior Girl Scout troop in Finneytown for 20 years.

She is also a member of the University of Cincinnati and Lockland High School Athletic Halls of Fame.

Class of 1975

As Associate Professor of Clinical Pediatrics and Medical Director of Crossroad Health Center, Chuck is one of the city’s most talented and well-respected physicians. His clinical research and areas of expertise have focused on immunizations of children. He is an outspoken advocate and educator of child abuse prevention.

A 1979 cum laude graduate of Miami University, Chuck received his medical degree from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine in 1983 and his residency training at Children’s Hospital Medical Center, including a year as Pediatric Chief Resident. He has had numerous articles published in pediatric medical journals and textbooks throughout the United States. He is consistently recognized as one of this country’s leading experts in the detection and prevention of sexual abuse in children, shaken baby syndrome , and infantile drug toxicity.

Some highlights of his distinguished career include:

National recognition as one of the “50 Most Positive Physicians in the U.S.”, October 1995.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Award Winner, 1996.

Cincinnati Health Care Hero, 1999.

Medical Director and co-founder of Crossroad Health Center.

Board Chairman, Christian Community Health Services.

Robert Wood Johnson Grant Recipient for “All Kids Count” Immunization Program.

Advisor, “Every Child Succeeds.”

Mayor of Cincinnati’s Task Force on Children Committee.

Member of the Helfer Society, the only national honor society in the field of child abuse prevention.

Chuck says, “My vision for health care for the under-served began at Finneytown. It is here where I was given the foundation for college and medical school. It is here where I was encouraged by my scholastic success to commit myself to a career in medicine which could benefit those in need.”

All-Star Instructor

Tad graduated from Norwood High School in 1955 and entered the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music as a voice major. He graduated in 1959 with B.S. in Music Education and went on to earn a master’s degree in education. He sang professionally with the Cincinnati Summer Opera from 1961-1972, was the president of the senior class at CCM, and the assistant director of the U.C. Glee Club.

His teaching career began in 1959 in Spring Valley and Bellbrook, Ohio teaching music L-6, junior high band, chorus and general music; and high school music.

Tad came to Finneytown in 1960, where he taught until he retired in 1989. He taught all junior high choruses, elementary instrumental band and high school general music, and was assistant band director. In the 1960’s he became director of all vocal classes at the high school.

The high school choral program came to include Concert Choir, Madrigal Singers, Ensemble Singers, Men’s and Women’s Glee Clubs, 8th grade Chorus, 7th grade chorus, and X-period chorus (a before school class for band and orchestra students). He also served as director and choral director of 26 Finneytown musicals.

His students received numerous awards, including nine superior ratings in State Music Contests of Ohio. His Ensemble Singers took 3rd Place in the Jubilee Choral Festival in Washington, D.C. in 1978, and at the Opryland American Festival his Concert Choir came in 2nd Place in 1980 and again in 1983.

He worked on the committee to build the PAC and served as past president of the District 14 OMEA Board, also serving on the state board. He also was the first Finneytown Education Association president and coached junior high football and girls’ reserve football.

All-Star Instructor

Helen Mary Thorton Wentzel grew up in Glen Ridge, New Jersey. She received her Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts from Bucknell University in Lewisburg, PA.

She began her teaching career as a substitute teacher in the Finneytown Local School District in the fall of 1954, and began full-time teaching at Finneytown High School when the school opened it doors in 1959. Two of her three children graduated from Finneytown in the ‘60’s.

Helen taught Latin throughout her career, which grew to include social studies classes, counseling and serving as dean of students. Her Contemporary Civilization class was a popular senior social studies seminar, and the later years of her career she also taught American History. For many years she was advisor of the National Honor Society. She also organized and coordinated the usher corps during her years at Finneytown before retiring in 1982.

Helen was highly respected and well-liked by students and colleagues alike. For many of her students, taking her class exposed them to their first term paper experience, which proved to be a daunting task. Her high standards challenged her students to excel, and excel they did. This demanding and supportive educational environment created by Helen and others helped to build the Finneytown tradition.

Helen’s students were nurtured by a loving, charming, elegant, classic example of the best teaching has to offer.