Pleasant Valley recently announced details for its upcoming Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and include Kim E. Economy, Eddie Fernandes, Mariclaire Hosking, Ken Piontkowski and Ryan Sassano. Inductees will be honored Friday, Jan. 26 between the Bears’ boys and girls basketball doubleheader at approximately 6:40 p.m.

Bios for each inductee are below.

Kim E. Economy

Kim is a retired Pleasant Valley High School Special Education Teacher. She is a 1972 graduate of Westmont Hilltop High School in Johnstown, Pa. Upon graduation, she attended Bloomsburg University where she earned a BS in Special Education. After graduating, she started her teaching career at Pleasant Valley in 1976, and for 36 years supported the students of our community in her role as a special-education teacher until her retirement in 2012. During her years at PV, Kim took on many roles, such as coordinator for the community Halloween Night at the high school, Special Olympics’ track and field events, and was one of the driving forces for the development and construction of the PVHS Courtyard Garden. Currently, Kim is enjoying her retirement and still resides in the Pleasant Valley community.

Honors Received

As an educator, Kim coordinated the Special Olympics track and field events from 1991 to 2009. She also was a coach and facilitator for the Special Olympics for 22 years from 1976 to 1998. Furthermore, over her 36 years with Pleasant Valley, she facilitated the Special Olympics “Buddy Program,” and helped develop the special education “In-class Tutoring Program.” Kim also has continued her joy of track and field by coaching the high school team for three years. In addition, she was the Senior Class Advisor from 1977 to 1979. Her most cherished accomplishment was the being a part of the high school courtyard project, where she was a co-planner and co-creator. She spent many hours designing, planting, and cultivating this unique and diverse instructional setting. Kim resides in Saylorsburg, Pa., with her husband Frank for 46 years. They have two sons, Kellen and Michael.

Eddie Fernandes

Eddie is a 2005 graduate of Pleasant Valley School District. As a student at PV, he was a three-year member of the varsity soccer team and a two-year member of the boys’ basketball team. As a member of the soccer team, Eddie earned a varsity letter all three years. He also achieved distinguished honor roll and graduated Cum Laude. After graduating, he attended Northampton Community College and transferred to Bloomsburg University. He earned a Bachelor of Arts from Bloomsburg in 2009. Currently, he resides in Orlando, Florida, where he is involved in the Real Estate profession. He has been a volunteer for the Special Olympics and has worked on special education classes to provide meaningful social experiences for special needs students.

Honors Received

During Eddie’s time in high school, he excelled as a student athlete. While at PV, he was part of the PV boys’ soccer team that won the Mountain Valley Conference championship in 2002, 2003, and 2004. He was named to the Morning Call and Pocono Record All Area Team in 2002, 2003, and 2004. He was also named to the MVC First Team. In 2004, Eddie was named the Times News Soccer Player of the Year. He still holds Pleasant Valley school records for boys’ soccer, most career goals with 70, and most points in a career with 173. Eddie resides in Orlando, Fl., with his wife Kessia for eight years. They have three daughters.

Mariclaire Hosking

Mariclaire is a 1977 graduate of Pleasant Valley School District. While at PV, she was a member of the marching band, concert band, stage band, led the pep band, and National Honor Society. After graduating from Pleasant Valley, she attend East Stroudsburg State College where she earned a BS degree in Elementary Education and graduated in 1981 with honors. For the past 28 years, she has been a paraprofessional with the Pleasant Valley School District. Outside of her job with the district, she became involved in the Pleasant Valley All Sports Club, which helps to support the Interscholastic Sports Program of the district. While her children participated in sports, she became a founding member of the Field Hockey Parents Club, which in time would become the booster club. This led to more sports adopting similar groups. Over her 25 years of service to the PVASC, she was Vice President and President for a combined 10 years. In addition to her involvement in sports, she also volunteered with the band and was a chaperon for band camp. Currently, she is still employed as a paraprofessional with the Pleasant Valley School District at the middle school.

Honors Received

During her years at Pleasant Valley, Mariclaire has met some monumental accomplishments. While a student at PV, she received the PV Band Award and was the first female Drum Major. In addition, she was awarded the Zeswitz National Music Award. As the girls basketball team manager, she received a varsity letter. As a member of the Pleasant Valley All Sports Club, Mariclaire played a major role in some notable accomplishments in the athletic department. Some of the most notable achievements were the fundraising efforts for the scoreboard in the stadium, upgrades to the Hixon weight room and high school fitness room, and improvements to the outdoor concession stand, to name a few. Outside of the school setting, she is very active at her church, St. Marks Community Lutheran, serving on committees and teaching Bible School. Mariclaire resides in Kunkletown, Pa., with her husband Richard for 41 years. They have three children and five grandchildren.

Ken Piontkowski

Ken is a retired Pleasant Valley High School math teacher. He attended Nanticoke Area High School, where he graduated in 1985. He graduated third in his class and was on honor roll all four years of high school. After high school, he attended King’s College and graduated in 1989 with a BS in Mathematics. He then continued his education by earning his Master’s Degree in Education from Gratz College. He taught math for 33 years at Pleasant Valley High School. In addition, he was the head varsity boys basketball coach for 19 years at PV. While coaching at PV, he organized the “Lucy Fund,” which raised money for Breast Cancer. Currently, Ken is an assistant basketball coach at Pocono Mountain West High School.

Honors Received

Kenny has many achievements in life as a basketball player and coach. At Nanticoke High School, he was a four year letter winner in basketball, three-time team MVP, and a four-year starter. During his four years, he was also a 1,000 point scorer and was selected as the Wyoming Valley Conference MVP in basketball. He had the opportunity to play in the state championship in his senior year at Nanticoke. He is also on the Nanticoke Area “Wall of Fame.” As a coach, Kenny has 228 career victories. From 1996 to 2014 as the Pleasant Valley head coach, his teams made 12 district playoff appearances, made it to five Mountain Valley Championship games, won the 2003 MVC Championship, and won the District 11 title in 1998. During his career as a coach, he was a two-time Pocono Record and Times News Coach of the Year and Morning Call Coach of the Year. As the Bears head coach, he has the most wins. In 2017, as a Pocono Mountain West assistant, he earned another District 11 Championship. Ken resides in Kunkletown, Pa., with his wife Michelle for 15 years.

Ryan Sassano

Ryan is a 2005 Pleasant Valley School District graduate. While at PV, Ryan participated in boys’ basketball for four years and boys’ soccer for one year. During his time on the basketball team, Ryan was a three-time varsity letterman and one year letterman in soccer. After graduating from Pleasant Valley, he attended West Virginia University, where he received a degree in Physical Activities and Sports Sciences in 2011. In the community, Ryan was introduced to officiating by his father, and he became a youth league referee and officiated elementary and intermediate games hosted by PVBYL. Currently, Ryan is a collegiate and professional basketball official. He officiates NCAA Division 1, NBA G League, and WNBA games.

Honors Received

During his time at Pleasant Valley, Ryan was recognized for his accomplishments on the boys’ basketball team. In 2004, he was an Honorable Mention selection in the Mountain Valley Conference, then in 2005, he was named to the Mountain Valley Conference Second Team. In 2005, he was a part of the boys soccer Mountain Valley Conference championship team, and was the starting goalie. His passion for basketball led to his career choice to become a basketball official. Currently, he has officiated NCAA Division III tournament games; games in the ACC, Big East, A-10, Big South, and many more. In 2023, he refereed NCAA Division I Tournament first round regional games. He has officiate in the NBA G League, WNBA, and most recently NBA preseason games. Ryan resides in Arnold, Md., with his wife Amanda for eight and a half years. They have one son, Ace Sassano.