Wellston High School graduate John Norman has been selected to be the Toastmaster at the 123rd Annual Wellston High School Alumni Banquet. Upon graduating from high school in 1963 and after attending St Joseph’s College, John entered the United States Air Force in 1965. He was tasked to various assignments and tours of duty throughout the United States, Europe, Asia and Africa, to include, Alaska, Texas, Massachusetts, Illinois, Germany, England, Spain, Italy, Korea, and Libya. John Norman attained the rank of Senior Master Sergeant and received the following commendations during his 22 years of active duty: Air Force Marksmanship Award, Air Force Good Conduct Medal, Longevity Service Award, AF Force Overseas Awards, Organizational and Presidential Awards for excellence, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Joint Service Commendation and the Meritorious Service Medal. He is also a graduate of all three levels of Professional Military Education academies for Air Force Senior Non Commissioned Officers and the Community College of the Air Force. John received his Bachelor of Science Degree from Southern Illinois University.
After retiring from active duty in the Air Force, he was selected as an Aerospace Science Instructor for Walter E. Stebbins High School in the Dayton Ohio area. In this capacity he was responsible for the professional leadership curriculum and personal development of Junior ROTC cadets enrolled in the Air Force Aerospace Science Program. He performed in this capacity for 20 years and retired from education in 2006. As a secondary level education teacher he received several Teacher of the Year Awards at the local, district, county, State and National level. With his 22 years active duty and 20 years as an Air Force Aerospace Science Instructor John Norman has 42 years of accumulated service to the United States Air Force.
John is also a 2006 inductee of the Wellston High School Athletic Hall of Fame. As a Golden Rocket he earned seven varsity letters, was selected as 1st team All SEOAL Quarterback and All State Honorable Mention. John was a member of the only Wellston Basketball team to win a SEOAL League Championship where he also earned All League team selection. John also coached the girls basketball team while teaching at Stebbins High School.
John Norman is a member of the Knights of Columbus, Captain of the Usher team at St Christopher’s Church in Vandalia Ohio and a lifetime member of the VFW. John and his wife Jonelle (also a retired teacher) reside in Huber Heights, Ohio and enjoy gardening, landscaping, restoring and selling antiques. They have three children, John, Jamie, and Jerry, along with six grandchildren.
Tickets for the 123rd Annual Wellston Alumni Banquet are now on sale. This year’s banquet will be held at the Wellston Middle School Saturday, May 25. The evening will include a social hour at 5 p.m. with the banquet starting at 6 p.m. Tickets are $20 each and are now available at Brodigan’s Sports and Trophies on Ohio Avenue in Wellston.