Pleasant Valley School District inducted seven alumni into their Hall of Fame during halftime at Friday night's varsity basketball game.

The Hall of Fame honors former students who have made significant contributions to the district, based on their "athletic and/or academic achievements, or contributions, and service to the Pleasant Valley community," according to the organization's website."This is fantastic. I've been here for 41 years now, and to see some of our graduates, and the teachers that I taught with, like Mr. Heist, it's just so exciting to see them rewarded," high school Principal John Gress said.Gress and Superintendent Carole Geary took center court to congratulate the three alumni who were able to attend the ceremony, presenting them with commemorative plaques as the announcer listed their accomplishments.Dwight HeistDwight Heist, Class of 1962, was a two-year letter winner in baseball, and played clarinet in the band. After earning his Bachelor of Science degree in education at East Stroudsburg State Teachers School in 1966, he attended Lehigh University, where he obtained his master's degree in administration.Heist taught history in grades seven through 12 for 40 years before retiring in 2006."It's quite unique. I'm very appreciative, very happy about it," Heist said of the induction.During his time as a teacher, Heist also served as an adviser to the John C. Mills chapter of the Senior National Honor Society, established a government internship program through Penn State University, which he ran for 20 years, provided assistance for Pleasant Valley athletic events, and held a membership with the American Federation of Musicians for 30 years.Heist said that the discipline and determination that he learned through sports at Pleasant Valley was pivotal to his success."It was very helpful, especially when I went to college and Lehigh for my master's," Heist said. "It gave you a good perception of things."Amy Hosking-ReyesAmy Hosking-Reyes, Class of 2005, was a four-year letter winner in track, a three-year letter winner in field hockey, and a National Honor Society member who graduated cum laude. After attending Fairfield University for a Bachelor of Arts in sociology and anthropology in 2009, Hosking-Reyes earned an associate degree in physical therapy from Penn State in 2010."I'm always going to be happy to be a PV grad," Hosking-Reyes said. "It's great to be back, and see friends and family, and it's nice to see old teachers. I think it's great that our school does this."Hosking-Reyes had a storied sports career during her time at Pleasant Valley, where she was Mountain Valley Conference league champion in the 100-meter hurdles, a two-year first-place team all-star for the MVC in field hockey, and a four-time qualifier for the district tournament in track. Her awards include the Pocono Record Player of the Year for field hockey, the Morning Call All Star, as well as captain and MVP designations."They definitely prepare you for everything as far as academics and sports," said of her instructors at Pleasant Valley. "The coaches here are so supportive, and there are a lot of opportunities to succeed here."Alesha SiscoAlesha Sisco, Class of 2006, was a four-year letter winner in both basketball and softball, and a Big Brothers Big Sisters volunteer during her years at Pleasant Valley. After a year at Blair Academy, Sisco attended Dickinson College for her degree in international business and management, economics."It feels amazing. I'm so happy to see everyone," Sisco said. "It's such a great honor to be here."Sisco was a three-year first-place team All MVC player, two-time MVP, a 1,000-point scorer, a Pocono Record Player of the Year, and four-time Channel 13 Player of the Week in her basketball career.For softball, Sisco was a four-year first-place team All MVC player, MVP of the MVC in 2005, a two-time Pocono Record Player of the Year, and a two-time Channel 13 Player of the Week, among many other accolades."I think I learned so much from sports, just the work ethic alone is unbelievable," Sisco said. "You don't learn the same stuff you would in the classroom as you do on the court. Without a doubt, the work ethic is what I took away from my time here."Inductees Vanessa Blakeslee, Dr. Nathan Yozwiak, Tricia O'Keefe and Mike Borger were not able to attend the ceremony.Vanessa BlakesleeBlakeslee, Class of 1997, was a National Honor Society member, a recipient of a Rotary Club scholarship, and a member of various clubs and activity committees during her time at Pleasant Valley.After receiving her Bachelor of Arts from Rollins College, she attended the University of Central Florida for her master's. In 2008, she obtained a Master of Fine Arts in writing at the Vermont College of Fine Arts.Blakeslee has written two books, "Juventud," and "Train Shots," along with 33 short stories and 38 essays that have appeared in The Paris Review Daily, The Southern Review, the Globe and Mail, and other publications."Train Shots" earned her the 2014 IPPY Gold Medal in Short Fiction award, and she has been offered numerous grants and residencies for her work over the years.Nathan YozwiakYozwiak, Class of 2001, was valedictorian of his graduating class, a National Honor Society member, and a participant in soccer and several other clubs.He graduated from Johns Hopkins University in 2005 with a Bachelor of Science degree in molecular and cellular biology, and went on to the University of California, Berkeley, School of Public Health for a Ph.D. in infectious disease and immunity in 2011.Yozwiak is currently an associate director of viral genomics at the Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, and a senior scientist in the Department of Organismal Evolutionary Biology at Harvard.He is in the midst of establishing the African Center of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Disease at Redeemers University in Nigeria.He has been published and interviewed on his research on Ebola and Lassa virus diagnostics and evolution by NPR, the Boston Globe, Wired Magazine and many other publications.Tricia O'KeefeO'Keefe, Class of 2002, was a National Honor Society member, secretary of the varsity choral society, recipient of the Choral Academic Award, and a member of the Future Business Leaders of America, drama department, and concert chorus.She released her first album by the age of 17, and began writing music for the soap opera "All My Children."At 19, she began touring regionally, and starred in a national commercial for Coke Zero. O'Keefe made her national performance debut on "Soap Talk" when she was 21.She has since toured the nation, signed with Maverick Records, and released three albums, "All the Honest Liars," "Star Burns Brightest" and "Once Black Cadillac."Mike BorgerBorger, Class of 2000, was a four-year letter winner in football and baseball and a role model in the Drug Abuse Resistance Education program during his time at Pleasant Valley.Following graduation, Borger attended Keystone College and Lackawanna College, earning associate degrees in sports management and environmental science.At Pleasant Valley, he was a first place team inside linebacker for two years, a Pocono Record Defensive Player of the Year, a first place team linebacker for the Times News and the Morning Call, and Channel 13's Player of the Week.Two of Borger's records in football, most tackles in a season, 176, and most tackles in a career, 500, still hold to this day.