Grads inducted in DVHS Hall of Fame
MILFORD — The Delaware Valley High School Hall of Fame Committee announces the induction class for 2013. This year’s class will include Bonnie Duffy Clark, James A. Donnelly, John K. Leiser, and William J. Rosado.
The new members will be honored at a banquet to be held at the Riverview Inn in Matamoras on Sunday, Sept. 29. A reception will take place at 4 p.m. with dinner and induction ceremony to follow at 5 p.m. The public is invited to be part of the celebration. Adult tickets are $40, and tickets for children under age 10 are $16. Tickets are available by calling Wanda Holtzer at the high school at 570-296-1864.
James A. Donnelly
James A. Donnelly was a member of the Delaware Valley High School class of 1994. An athlete, he was a member of Delaware Valley’s inaugural football team where in 1993 he was chosen team captain and team Most Valuable Player. He was selected as a starter in the Suburban Conference All-Star team for the Kiwanis All-Star Football Classic. Donnelly also excelled in baseball where he was the 1994 batting champion and was selected to the 1994 first team All-NAC. He was an active student and scholar during his Delaware Valley years, serving as a member of the Scholastic Bowl Team and being invited to join the prestigious National Honor Society.
Donnelly attended Grove City College where he earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in history. His athletic career continued at Grove City where he was a four-year letterwinner and three-year starter on the football team. Twice he was named All-Presidents Athletic Conference, receiving honorable mention in 1996 and first team recognition in 1997. He was selected to play and start in the USA III Football Martin Luther King All-Star game. Donnelly also excelled as a college baseball player where he was a four-year letterwinner and three-year starter at first base. He was team captain in 1998 and twice selected All-Presidents Athletic Conference. He was a two-time batting champion, and his career batting average was .417, the highest in school history until 2010. His 1998 season average was .465.
Donnelly's career since his college graduation has included both teaching and coaching. He served as offensive line coach and assistant baseball coach at Grove City College from 1998-2000. Since that time he has served as a teacher and coach at Delaware Valley High School. While serving as assistant football coach, he helped guide the team to the 2004 Lackawanna Football Division I Championship. In 2012, Donnelly's team was District II Champions. While serving as assistant baseball coach, he helped guide the team to a 2006 Lackawanna League Championship. This same team would eventually go on to win the PIAA 4A State Championship.
John K. Leiser
John K. Leiser was a member of the Delaware Valley High School class of 1992. His many achievements include membership in the National Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta. He actively participated in the Science Olympiad, the Environmental club and the Mock Trial. In 1990, he received the Bausch and Lomb Honorary Science Award.
Leiser's college career began at East Stroudsburg University, where in 1996 he graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies. In 2003, he earned a Doctorate of Philosophy at Lehigh University.
Since 2004, he has served as Associate Professor at Northampton Community college, teaching and developing courses in Biology, Ecology, and Microbiology. He has served on numerous committees including the Presidential Environmental Task Force. A prolific writer, he has published more than a dozen journal articles, many of which he has presented at various symposia and workshops. In addition he has worked on grants that have garnered tens of thousands of dollars for the colleges and universities with which he has been affiliated. His devotion to his field is exemplified by his extensive volunteerism, which is reflective of his care and interest in the environment and wildlife population in the region.
Leiser has been recognized through a host of awards and grants, including the Christensen Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2010. His proudest achievement was being selected as the 2011 Council for the Advancement and Support of Education and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching’s Pennsylvania Professor of the Year.
William J. Rosado
William J. Rosado was a member of the Delaware Valley High School Class of 1978. A recent immigrant from Mexico, and speaking little to no English upon arriving in his adopted country, Rosado worked industriously to master his new language while, at the same time, completing all the requirements of the high school curriculum. A natural athlete, he excelled in scholastic sports, primarily soccer and baseball, two sports in which he distinguished himself with offensive and defensive skills noteworthy enough to rank him as a standout player in both. He was recognized by his class as Most Athletic.
His professional career began as a car salesman. His outgoing personality and unfailing good nature were assets that enabled him to overcome his struggles with the English language, as evidenced by his continuous promotions. His drive, enthusiasm, and work ethic provided the opportunity for him to become the successor of the dealership for which he worked. Over time, he developed the Rosado Group of Dealerships, comprised of four new car franchises, employing more than 300 people. Through his businesses, he supports numerous communities, leagues, and charities, including the United Way and the Center for Childhood Disabilities.
Bonnie Duffy Clark
Bonnie Duffy Clark was a member of the Delaware Valley High School Class of 1982. Involved in school activities, she excelled as a cheerleader, class treasurer, and a student council member.
Following high school, she attended West Virginia University, graduating in 1986 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism.
She began her career with Tierney Communications in Philadelphia where she was associate vice president for the agency’s public relations division. She worked for Golin/Harris Communications in Philadelphia and at New York agencies M. Silver Associates and Ogilvy & Mather Public Relations. Clark next worked for multimedia retailer QVC for close to nine years, where she served as director of corporate affairs and vice president of public relations.
In April 2008, Clark joined the Philadelphia Phillies organization as vice president of communications. In her role, she oversees baseball communications, player relations, community outreach, publicity, crisis and issues management, business communications, creative services and publications.
South Jersey Magazine named Clark one its annual Super Women in 2011. Additionally, she is a council member of Third Century Initiative, a Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce organization. She also serves as a board member for the Kennedy Health System Foundation and is a member of Major League Baseball’s Women’s Subcommittee.