Halls High School alumni inducted three into the school’s Hall of Fame. Honored at the April banquet were Elbert Lee Fielden, Dolly Walker Leach and David Wayland.
Jerry Julian, the voice of the Red Devil football team in the 1980s, was master of ceremonies. Brad Hodge was outgoing president.
Officers for 2019-20 are: Robin Holliday, president; Chris Vandergriff, vice president; Dan Bolinger, secretary; Connie Arnold Hunter, treasurer. Directors are Kathy McCloud Bright, Wayne Henderson, James Kuykendall, Gordy Noe, Melissa Rogers Sandling, Darryl Tindell, Rhonda Vineyard, Gilbert Watson, Holly Wilson White, Ryan Cox, Ashley Gideon and Sara Wilson.
Elbert Fielden, class of 1948, received the award posthumously. He was captain and MVP of the 1947-48 basketball team at Halls High School. He earned degrees from Lincoln Memorial University and East Tennessee State University and worked in sales for TDS Telecom. He was TSSAA referee supervisor in the 1970s. His daughter Donna Fielden accepted the award.
Dolly Walker Leach, class of 1954, was secretary at Halls Elementary School for over 30 years. She worked 50-plus years as a school bus contractor and has a long affiliation with the Knox County Teachers Credit Union. She was known for her kindness, quick wit and concern, said Chris Vandergriff. “Hers was the first face many saw in the morning and the last face they saw at night.”
David Wayland, class of 1961, is a retired teacher and guidance counselor at Halls High School. He was the wrestling coach from 1979 to 1982 and the golf coach for 20 years (1978-99). His golf team won the state championship in 1986, making him the first Halls High coach to win a state championship.
Outgoing treasurer Janice Loy Walker said, “The big thing we do is give a scholarship. It’s a needs-based scholarship, but we look at academics, leadership and service to others. This year’s scholarship is for $2,500.”
She introduced Ryan Cox, the 2015 scholarship winner, who just graduated from the University of Tennessee with highest honors.
To nominate a Halls High graduate for the Hall of Fame, contact any of the officers listed above.