Sonoma Dragons Hall of Fame to induct 11

Former principal Bob Kruljac is proud of Sonoma Valley High School.

After seven years of honoring the success of Dragon athletes, he was struck by how many graduates were finding tremendous success in their careers after graduation, and wanted to spread the good news. In 2015, he launched a second Dragon Hall of Fame for outstanding achievement after graduation. He and his Hall of Fame committee now alternate each year between the student athletic and future achievement honors.

The board that accepts and reviews nominations includes Jim Lynch, Jim Haver, Bob McAllister, Mike Rogina, Howard Costello, Pam Adams, Bill Angeloni, Wendy Kruljac, Bennett Martin, Reed Martin, Barbara McElroy, Patty McFerrin, Glen Moll, and is led by Kruljac.

The 11 former students and three teachers honored in 2017 will all be in attendance at a luncheon in their honor at Hanna Boys Center at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 13.

The 2017 Inductees

Willis 'Skip' Brown, class of 1962. Brown's tenure at Sonoma Valley High was marked by athletic, student government and journalistic success. His involvement with the El Padre yearbook and the Dragon's Tale newspaper foreshadowed his future career success. He attended Whitworth College and went on to work for CBS, NBC, ABC, PBS and BBC as a cameraman, editor, reporter and field producer. His work as a journalist took him overseas to Ireland, London, China, and battlefields in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos.

Don Costello, class of 1966. In his senior year, Costello represented SVHS at Boys State, was valedictorian and was voted most likely to succeed. He rowed crew at U.C. Berkeley and then received a law degree from Lewis & Clark. Costello has been an active member of the Oregon State Bar since 1977, specializing in litigation as well as conflict mediation. He has served as a judge in both state and municipal courts and developed court systems for four Indian tribes. He is a leader in national justice-system initiatives.

Gary Friedman, class of 1975. Friedman was born in San Francisco and raised by his widowed mother in Sonoma. He worked as a stock boy at The Gap soon after graduation and became the youngest manager in the company's history, as well as the youngest district manager and regional manager. Friedman rose through the ranks at Williams-Sonoma and was executive vice president and president of the Williams-Sonoma and Pottery Barn brands. He is currently the chairman and CEO of Restoration Hardware, Inc.

Charles Marcus, class of 1980. Marcus was the valedictorian of his senior class and he went on to receive a B.S. in physics from Stanford and an M.A. and a Ph.D. from Harvard. He is currently recognized as being among the world's leading researchers in quantum physics. He has served as a professor of physics at both Stanford and Harvard. More recently, he is working with Microsoft on a research collaboration focused on the computer of the future. He has authored more than 170 scientific articles. He received an international prize for outstanding research in nanotechnology.

Noma Martini, Hanna Boys Center class of 1991. Martini played varsity football and ran varsity track at SVHS and was involved in student government. He went on to attend U.C. Berkeley, where he was a campus police officer and joined Army ROTC. He joined the infantry as a second lieutenant in 1996, he attended the prestigious Ranger School and was deployed to Afghanistan. While serving, he received his MBA from Embry Riddle University. He later was selected as a department head at University of Florida. He has had a long and highly recognized aviation career and today he is a lieutenant colonel with a Bronze Star and six other medals and badges of service.

Toby Nagel, class of 1984. Nagel's studies after SVHS included two years at U.C. San Diego prior to transferring to Stanford University to study chemical engineering. After a stint studying at Oxford University in England, Nagel received a Ph.D. in medical engineering from Harvard-MIT. In her early career, she worked on medical projects relating to genetic mutations and biomedical engineering. She has been published extensively and is a busy speaker at conferences worldwide.

Richard Norgrove, class of 1965. Norgrove ran track all four years at SVHS and captained the cross country team. He attended Santa Rosa Junior College (and later received a B.A. from Sonoma State and an MBA from Golden Gate University) and served two tours in Vietnam in the U.S. Navy. Prior to founding Bear Republic Brewing Company, he worked for 20 years in corporate management. He is currently the CEO of the brewery which now sells in 28 states and six countries and employees more than 160 people.

Nick Phillips, class of 1983. Phillips is best-known as a jazz record producer — with credits on a dozen Grammy-nominated projects. His debut album, 'Moment to Moment,' cracked the top 20 on the Billboard Jazz chart. Phillips first became interested in jazz when he heard the SVHS jazz band play at an elementary school assembly. He went on to play the trumpet in middle and high school jazz bands. He graduated from University of the Pacific in 1987 with a Bachelor of Music degree in music management/business.

Brian Posehn, class of 1984. Posehn first took to the stage as a stand up comedian at American River College, winning its comedy competition in 1987. He worked in comedy in San Francisco throughout the 1990s and wrote for the Jon Stewart Show in New York City and received Emmy nominations for his writing. By the late 1990s, he had scored acting roles on 'Seinfeld,' 'Friends,' and become a regular on 'Just Shoot Me.' More recently, Posehn has had recurring roles on 'Community,' 'New Girl' and 'The Big Bang Theory' and appeared on the big screen in several films. His credits also include two Comedy Central specials and 10 appearances on 'Conan.'

Pamela Robbins, class of 1967. Robbins received a B.A. from U.C. Santa Barbara, a master's from Sacramento State and a Ph.D. in educational administration from U.C. Berkeley. She consults internationally on brain research, quality teaching, emotional intelligence and instructional strategies. She has published nine books on peer coaching, block schedules and 'The New Principal's Fieldbook.'

Annette Von Thun, class of 1983. After SVHS, Von Thun completed advanced degrees at U.C. San Diego, Revelle College, Tulane University and at the Uniformed Services University, including a B.A., two master's degrees and M.D. and a Ph.D. From the mid-1990s through today, Von Thun has been an officer and a doctor with the U.S. Navy. Captain Von Thun has twice been the recipient of the Navy Meritorious Service Medal and she has been a prolific contributor to medial and military publications.

Recognition for teaching excellence and inspiration:

Prior to retiring in 2015, Brigitta Crews served the Sonoma Valley school district for 37 years as an English and home economics teacher. She created the high school's living skills and culinary arts curriculum, developed community partnerships and provided hands-on training to thousands of SVHS students.

Coach Max Hale taught PE at SVHS and served as the athletic director. He coached varsity and JV wrestling as well as football. He played football for U.C. Berkeley and is a member of the Big 'C Athletics' Society.

Chester 'Chet' Sharek spent 33 years teaching English and history, serving as vice principal and coaching Dragons baseball at SVHS. After retirement, he served as principal of Hanna Boys Center. The formal plaza entry to SVHS is named in his honor.

To attend the luncheon event, send a self-addressed stamped envelope and check for $45 made out to Dragon Hall of Fame to 21700 Pearson Ave., Sonoma, CA 95476, before May 1. (www.dragonhalloffame.com)

Contact ourschools@sonomanews.com.