Joplin Hall of Fame to welcome new inductees, Meritorious Award winner
The Joplin Schools Foundation will welcome its second class of inductees into the Joplin Schools Hall of Fame at a ceremony at 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 10.
The 2023 class of Hall of Fame inductees are:
● Sallie Beard – 1968 Joplin graduate, Coach, Athletic Director, Community Leader
● General Howie Chandler – 1970 Parkwood graduate, Fighter Pilot, 4-Star General
● Joseph “Joe” Newman – 1954 Joplin graduate, Business Owner, Economic Developer
In addition to these Hall of Fame inductees, the Foundation will also honor a Meritorious Award
winner at the ceremony. The Meritorious Award recognizes an individual who did not attend
Joplin Schools, but who, through leadership, service and/or support, has demonstrated
extraordinary contributions to Joplin Schools and the local education community.
The 2023 Meritorious Award winner will be Rickey Hirshey. A school resource officer and Joplin
Police Department officer, Hirshey has demonstrated exceptional courage in the Joplin
community, and continues to support student and district excellence.
The ceremony will be held in the Black Box Theatre at Joplin High School, 2104 Indiana Ave.
Dinner will be served by Mythos. Music will be provided by the Joplin High School Strolling
Strings. Main sponsors for the ceremony include Anne Sharp, Lemmons Trust, Mercy Hospital, the Satterlee Family, FORV/S, Mike & Virginia Gray, and Vowels Stovern Wealth.
The Foundation’s Hall of Fame project was created to recognize and honor the achievements of
outstanding alumni from Joplin High School, Lincoln School, Memorial High School, and
Parkwood High School. Foundation president Gloria Turner said the purpose of the Hall of
Fame is twofold.
“First, we want to recognize outstanding alumni who can serve as inspirations to our current
students by encouraging them to reach for their dreams,” said Turner. “Second, to raise
donations for our scholarship fund that benefits graduating seniors.”=
“This year’s class of inductees recognizes both alumni who have remained in our city and others
who have traveled across borders to serve our residents and the world,” said Turner. “We’re
proud of each of their accomplishments and are happy to be able to honor their work.
Proceeds from the ceremony will benefit the Foundation’s scholarship program, which annually
supports Joplin graduates as they further their post-secondary education.
Tickets for the ceremony are limited and may be obtained by contacting Foundation member
Kim Woodard at 417-434-5767.
This year’s class of Hall of Fame inductees were nominated by community members during a
nomination cycle that closed in May, 2023. Packets to nominate next year’s Hall of Fame
candidates can be downloaded here.
Nominations will be accepted year-round, but will be gathered annually on May 1 for the coming
year’s induction ceremony. Nominees may be honored posthumously, and must have graduated
at least 25 years prior to their nomination.
all of Fame members will be showcased and highlighted in a permanent installation located in
the Joplin High School Performing Arts Center. Joplin Schools students and community
members will be encouraged to view the installation as desired.