More than 130 family and friends gathered at Marian Catholic High School on May 20, for the first “Distinguished Alumnus Award” and “Hall of Fame” Celebration in the John P. Malarkey ’51 Gymnasium.

The inaugural recipients of the “Distinguished Alumnus Award” were John P. Malarkey, Class of 1951 from Saint Jerome’s High School from Tamaqua, and William “Bill” Bonenberger, Class of 1976 from Marian Catholic High School, who lives in North Wales.

State Sen. David Argall presented Malarkey and Bonenberger citations from the state Senate.

Marian inducted 11 eleven individuals and one Marian family into the Class of 2023 Hall of Fame including:

• Denise Bonner Wall ’54 of Reno, Nevada.

• Margaret Bonner Dolan ’55 of New Orleans.

• Lee Schilling ’57 of Tamaqua.

• Rev. Msgr. John J. Martin ’64 of Allentown.

• Jim Sauka ’66, P ’93, ’94, ’96, ’00 of Nesquehoning.

• Sr. Anne Crampsie, RSM ’69 of Ambler.

• Sr. Lisa Marie Valentini, MSC ’74 of Reading.

• Bill O’Gurek ’73, P ’01, ’03 of Summit Hill.

• Terri Svetz Shickora ’77, P ’03, ’04, ’08 of Hometown.

• Jerome and Joan Palko, GP ’08, ’08 of Weatherly.

• The Andrew and Nora Baddick Family of Tamaqua (posthumously).

• Francis J. “Frank” and Rose Uher Baddick; Joseph “Josey” and Rose Pelton Baddick (parents of Guy ’60 and Joseph ’70); Josephine Baddick ’28 and Joseph Krynock; Helen Baddick ’30 and Harold “Pete” Campbell (parents of Richard ’59); Genevieve Baddick ’32 and Paul Scarloss (parents of Paul ’69); Mary Katherine Baddick ’34 and Joseph Zaleha, Sr. (parents of Joe); Catherine “Kay” Baddick ’38 and Metro Kokalec; Edward ’40 and Mary Murphy ’38 Baddick; (parents of Mary ’71, Msgr. Tom ’73, Kathleen ’75, Noranne ’77, Susan ’81); Eleanor Baddick ’43 and Joseph Paslawsky (parents of JoAnn ’69 and Jean ’75); Regina “Jean” ’Baddick 44 and Anthony “Mickey” Witcofsky (parents of Joe ’76, Ann ’80, Mary ’84.) All Posthomously

The Hall of Fame was established to honor and recognize alumni from Marian Catholic High School, Saint Ann’s High School, Saint Jerome’s High School, Saint Mary’s High School and Mauch Chunk Catholic High School along with faculty, staff and special friends, who are dedicated to serving their community.

The Hall of Fame honors those individuals who have had significant lifetime achievement and service to Marian, the Catholic church and their communities.

Fr. Robert Finlan, Pastor of Saint John XXIII Parish in Tamaqua and Saint Richard of Chichester Parish in Barnesville offered the Invocation.