White Plains CitizeNetReporter - McMahon, DePaso, Hilliard, Rosenthal to the Hall of Fame

WPCNR School Days Report Card Dispatch. September 10, 2002: Four distinguished White Plains High School graduates were announced as the 2002 inductees into the White Plains High School Hall of Fame Monday evening at the Board of Education meeting at Education House.

The graduates are Frank McMahon, Class of 1933; Joseph DePaso, Class of 1941; Verdell Hilliard, Class of 1947, and Steven Rosenthal, Class of 1984. The four will be officially inducted on Tuesday, November 19.

THE FOUR HONOREES were announced by new WPHS Principal Dr. Christine Robbins who said , “I am especially pleased that inductees into the White Plains Hall of Fame spend time with students and have an opportunity to share their insights and experiences in the classroom and in group sessions. This year, with the memory and impact of the events of 9/11 still fresh, it is fitting and appropriate that all four of the inductees have devoted their lives, and in some cases, their professional careers, to helping others and to community service.”
Photo by WPCNR

Frank McMahon: A Household Name in the City.

Mr. McMahon graduated from WPHS in 1933 and buildt the largest funeral home business in Westchester County, while serving the city as a White Plains City Councilman, as President of the White Plains Firemen’s Relief Association, and as a Commissioner of the White Plains Parking Authority. He was also a volunteer fireman for nearly 60 years.

Joseph DePaso: Teacher Who Made a Difference.

A graduate of WPHS in 1941, Mr. DePaso served four years with the Marines in the South Pacific and then returned to the high school to teach in 1954. From 1954 to 1984, he eventually became Chairman of the Fine and Practical Arts Department, coached basketball, cross-country and football. He was also Senior Class Advisor and was named Teacher of the Year. In the community he was a volunteer fireman, a scoutmaster and Salvation Army volunteer. He passed away in 1997.

Verdell Hilliard: Fifty Years A Nurse in White Plains.

Ms. Hilliard is a member of the WPHS Class of 1947. During her career as a nurse, she was a school nurse at White Plains Middle School and Archbishop Stepinac High School. She served 14 years on the White Plains Youth Board and is active today in community service organizations. She has won local and regional awards for her service and community leadership.

Steven Rosenthal: Internationalist. Aid in 9/11 Rescue Effort.

Mr. Rosenthal graduated White Plains High in 1984, and founded Cross-Cultural Solutions in 1995 with one volunteer program in India. His organization today is active in seven countries in four continents and it is described by the Board of Education as “a leading catalyst for social development worldwide.”

Rosenthal and his organization, headquartered in New Rochelle, volunteered to help after the 9/11 attacks, eventually taking over the task of providing up to 10,000 meals a day to rescue workers at the Trade Center disaster site, placing some 6,500 volunteers in position during the recovery efforts.

Dr. Robbins invited the community to attend induction ceremonies for the 2002 Four on Tuesday of American Education Week, November 19 at White Plains High School. The four persons announced Monday evening join the 30 White Plains High School graduates previously selected.

Robbins said, in her remarks, that "Other scholls I've worked at had Halls of Fame and I have found that they are a terrific way to not only celebrate the achievements of outstanding graudates, but to also recognize the contributions of the high school teachers and staff, both past and present."


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