William A. Balsley

Connellsville High School – 1934

Founder and President of the Connellsville Historical Society. Responsible for the replica of Colonel William Crawford’s Cabin located near Yough Park. Spent 42 years with West Penn Power, Superintendent of Technical Services. Captain in the United States Army Reserves for 23 years and a World War II veteran. Past President and member of the Board of Directors of the Connellsville Chamber of Commerce. Presented the Connellsville Community Service Award for his distinguished and dedicated service. Affectionately known as “Mr. Connellsville”.

 

Harrold J. Betters

Connellsville High School – 1947

Nationally acclaimed trombonist whose career spans over five decades. Performed with such music legends as Louis Armstrong, Al Hirt, Slide Hampton, Ramsey Lewis, and Ray Charles. Appeared on national television numerous times, including the “Merv Griffin Show” and the “Mike Douglas Show”. For years, played at all Pittsburgh Steelers football games. Once selected by the Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce as the “Man of the Year in Music”. According to the Erie Times-News, “Nobody is better than Betters”.

 

Gen. Robert E. Durbin

Connellsville Area High School – 1971

36 year US Army career, Armored Cavalry Officer and Lieutenant General. Distinguished graduate of West Point, Penn State University, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, specializing in Engineering. Commanding General, Combined Forces Command – Afghanistan “Operation Enduring Freedom”. Commanding General, First Infantry Division. “Inspired leadership: coaching, teaching, and mentoring were his hallmark; great soldiers and leaders are his legacy.”

 

Virginia Mae Eberharter

Connellsville High School – 1940

27 years with the United States Navy Nurse Corps, Commander. A distinguished graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and Memorial Hospital School of Nursing in Cumberland, Maryland. Served in the Nurse Corps during World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, 1945-1972. Spent five years abroad in stations that included Taiwan, Japan, and Italy. Chief of Nursing Services at the United States Naval Hospital in Annapolis, Maryland, 1969-1972. “Established an outstanding professional record promoting the effectiveness of the Nurse Corps.”

 

Ray Scott

Connellsville High School – 1936

Nationally acclaimed sports broadcaster whose career covered over five decades. Was once the “Voice of the Green Bay Packers” and later a part of CBS’s leading NFL Broadcasting Team. Besides NFL Football, he broadcasted various college sports, professional golf, and Major League Baseball including several World Series. Twice voted the nation’s “Best Sports Broadcaster”. The press box at Falcon Stadium is named in honor of Ray Scott.

 

Lee M. Shavel

Connellsville Area High School – 1985

22 year Wall Street career as an Investment Banker and Securities Exchange Executive. Graduated Cum Laude from the University of Pennsylvania in 1989 with a B.A. in English and a B.S. in Economics from the Wharton School. Launched his banking career at Fayette Bank and Gallatin National Bank in Uniontown and with Citicorp in New York City. 18 year investment banking career at Merrill Lynch, established Specialty Finance Industry Group and served as America’s Head of Financial Institutions. Named Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President, Corporate Strategy of NASDAQ OMX Group in May 2011, World’s Largest Exchange Company.

 

Linda R. Shearer

Connellsville Area High School – 1972

Career Teacher in the Connellsville Area School District. Founder of the CAHS Patriots organization. VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher of the Year from Pennsylvania in 2008-2009. Fayette County Educator of the Year in 1998 and 2007. Received the Greater Connellsville Chamber of Commerce Community Service Award in 2006. Arranged for a steel remnant of the fallen World Trade Center to be presented to the Connellsville Area. “Teaching is an act of reverence.”

 

Florence G. Shutsy-Reynolds

Dunbar Township High School – 1941

Joined the famous Women Air Force Service Pilots (WASP) in 1943. Her original flight training occurred at Connellsville Airport and WASP training tool place at Sweetwater, Texas. Volunteered for hazardous and non-traditional duty during World War II, one of only 1100 women to do so. In 2010, was a recipient of the Congressional Gold Medal awarded by President Obama honoring the war-time service of the WASPs. Is also an accomplished silversmith. Presented her Congressional Gold Medal to the Connellsville Historical Society.

 

John E. Urosek

Connellsville Area High School – 1974

Chief of Mine Emergency Operations, United States Department of Labor Mine Safety and Health Administration. Senior part of a team involved in various mine rescue operations worldwide; most notably, the remarkable rescue at the Quecreek Mine in Somerset, PA. 1979 graduate of Penn State University in Mining Engineering. A registered professional Engineer. 36 years with the Mine Safety and Health Administration, United States Department of Labor.

 

Amy B. Zavatsky

Connellsville Area High School – 1985

University Lecturer in Engineering Science at the University of Oxford and a Fellow and Tutor at St. Edmund Hall, Oxford. Valedictorian of the Connellsville Area High School class of 1985. Graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Pennsylvania in 1989 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Bioengineering. Received her Doctor of Philosophy degree in Engineering Science from the University of Oxford in 1993. Has been involved in orthopaedic research on the biomechanics of the knee, hip, ankle, and foot.