By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Highland Park will inductt its 2023 Hall of Fame and Sports Wall of Honor induction ceremonies at 4 p.m. Saturday in the Highland Park Media Center.
Dr. Beryl New and Lt. Colonel Gregory Howard Jr. will be inducted into the Hall of Fame while Tony Barksdale and Kenny Hartzell will be added to the Sports Wall of Honor.
New was a longtime principal and USD 501 administrator from 1988-2023 while Howard, a 1988 Highland Park graduate, has had a distinguished military career in the U.S. Army.
Barksdale, a 1996 HPHS graduate, was a star basketball player for the Scots while Hartzell, Class of 1996, was a football and wrestling standout for Highland Park.
Hall of Fame/Wall of Honor capsules:
Dr. Beryl A. New Educator (1988-2023)
Dr. Beryl New has been a resident of Topeka since the age of nine and is also a proud product of the historic Monroe Elementary School and graduated from Topeka High School in 1970.
As a young child, she loved organizing activities that involved teaching others. This desire grew to become her passionate profession later in her life. After high school, she enrolled in secretarial college, but then married and began a family. When she had six children, Beryl enrolled in Washburn University where she graduated with high honors, earning her bachelor’s degree. She then began her career doing what she had always felt a calling to do – teaching English at her alma mater, Topeka High School.
Dr. New earned a Bachelor’s degree in English Education in 1988 and a Master’s degree in School Leadership in 2002, both from Washburn University. In 2007, she earned a Doctorate degree in Educational Administration from the University of Kansas.
During her 35 years in public education, she served as an English teacher from 1988- 2000 as well as a counselor during that same time period from 1997-2000 at Topeka High School. She served from 2000-2005 as an assistant principal at Highland Park High School, served from 2005-2010 as both the Assistant and Associate Principal at Lawrence High School. Dr. New returned to Highland Park High School in 2010 as the Principal until 2017. In 2017 she transferred to the administrative offices of Topeka Public Schools to serve as the Director of Certified Personnel and Equity as well as the co-chair of the district’s Equity Council, which closely examines the ways in which race impacts student success before retiring in April 2023.
Dr. New is currently appointed by the governor to serve on two Kansas Commissions: the Kansas African American Affairs Commission and the Kansas Advisory Group for Juvenile Justice. She is the co-chair of SENT, a non-profit organization working to rebuild, strengthen, and support the Hi-Crest Neighborhood in Topeka. She also serves as the co-chair of Mosaic Partnership, a group seeking to bring cultural unity throughout Topeka, one conversation at a time. In addition, Dr. New serves as a board member on Keys for Networking, Inc., Midland Care, Mosaic Topeka, and the Topeka Center for Peace and Justice.
Dr. New is known as not only an educator, but is a friend and mentor for many of the students she has had the privilege to serve. She is the mother of eight children with some of them attended Highland Park High School, the grandmother of twelve, and the great-grandmother of one. She is married to LaRon New.
Gregory Howard, Jr. Military- Lt. Col. U.S. Army Class of 1988
Gregory Howard, Jr. is a 1988 graduate of Highland Park High School. Following high school Gregory enlisted in the Army on September 13, 1988 as a Subsistence Supply Specialist and served in the 295th Supply Company, 80th Ordnance Battalion, 593rd Area Support Group. He graduated from the Army Officer Candidate School at the Iowa Military Academy in August 2000 where he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Quartermaster Corps.
His assignments as a Quartermaster Officer include Transportation Platoon Leader, Executive Officer, and Commander of the 644th Transportation Company in Beaumont, Texas; and Logistics Advisor/Trainer Military Transition Team, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division in Fort Riley, Kansas; Battalion Operations Officer of the 356th Logistic Support Battalion, 5th Armored Brigade, Fort Bliss, Texas; and Assistant BDE S4, 5th Armored Brigade, Fort Bliss, Texas; Operational Contract Support Officer, 15th Sustainment Brigade, Fort Bliss, Texas; Logistics Advisor Security Force Advise & Assist Team, 4th Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment, 4th Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, Fort Bliss, Texas (deployed OEF).
LTC Howards' acquisition assignments began in 2013, includes currently serving as the 919th Battalion Commander and MICC - Fort Bliss Director, served 413th CSB Brigade Executive Officer, Future Plans Officer and Deputy of Contracting Operations, Fort Shafter, Hawaii. He previously served as a 919th Contracting Battalion, Chief, Contracting Support Operations Officer, 637th Contingency Contracting Team, Team Leader, 919th Contracting Battalion, Division Chief and Warranted Contracting Officer, Mission Installation Contracting Command, and 919th Contracting Battalion, Battalion Executive Officer, Fort Bliss, Texas.
LTC Howard's military education includes the Quartermaster Officer Basic Course, the Combined Logistics Captain's Career Course, completed Command and General Staff College Intermediate Level Education, Acquisition Intermediate Level Education Qualification Course, Military Transition Team Training, Operational Contract Support Course, Joint OCS Planning and Execution Course, Security Force Advisory Assistance Team Training, Army Acquisition Foundation Course, Army Acquisition Basic Course, Army Acquisition Intermediate Contracting Course, and Contracting for Decision Makers. He has earned the Demonstrated Master Logistician certification.
He received an Associate of Applied Science in Business Administration from AIB College of Business, a Bachelor of Art in Business Administration from Graceland University, and a Master of Art in Acquisition and Procurement Management from Webster University. He is Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act Level Ill Certified in Contracting, Level I in Program Management, and is an Army Acquisition Corps Member.
LTC Howard's awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Meritorious Service Medal with three Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Commendation Medal with three Oak Leaf Cluster, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Award with four Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Superior Unit Award, Army Good Conduct Medal, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal with Service Star, Southwest Asia Service Medal with three Stars, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal with three Stars, Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Bronze Hourglass Device with Numeral 2 of the M Device, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Army Overseas Service Ribbon with Numeral 8, Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon with Numeral 2, NATO Medal Ribbon with two stars, Saudi Arabia Kuwait Liberation Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Air Assault Badge, Combat Action Badge, Driver and Mechanic Badge, Contingency Contracting Officer Award, Distinguished Order of Saint Martin Award, Honorable Order of Saint Martin Award, and Honorable Order of Saint Christopher Award.
Lieutenant Colonel Howard is married to the former Ms. Annette Alonzo of El Paso, Texas. They are the proud parents of two daughters, Taylor (19) and Aaliyah (17).
Antwan “Tony” Barksdale Basketball Athlete Class of 1996
Tony was raised in Topeka attending Highland Park North Elementary School, Eisenhower Middle School and graduated from Highland Park High School in 1996. While at Highland Park High School Tony was a member of the Black Student Union and the Highland Connect Club. He competed in Football and Track for two years and Basketball for all four years being named Sophomore of the Year in 1994 and City Player of the Year for two years. He received the honors of being named to the 1st Team All-City in 1994, 1995 and 1996, 1st Team All-Class 5A in 1994, 1995 and 1996 and 1st Team All-State in 1996. He maintains two records at Highland Park High School as the only basketball player to have a single game scoring record of 44 points and has the school record as the all-time scorer.
Following high school Tony received a basketball scholarship to attend Coffeyville Community College where he earned 1st Team All-Region for two years and named the Jayhawk Conference Freshman of the Year. Tony then attended Western Michigan University located in Kalamazoo, Michigan where his skills on the basketball court earned him All-MAC Conference two years in a row.
Tony furthered his basketball professional career playing six years oversees including countries in Europe, Finland, Lebanon and Mexico. He is a paraprofessional at Capital City High School and is a lifelong musician playing the Bass Guitar in various gospel and jazz bands for a few local churches in the community, as well as for local and regional events. He has organized a youth basketball program for over 15 years and volunteers with multiple community organizations.
Tony is married to Falana Barksdale. He has seven kids, Jovan Barksdale 28, Tony Barksdale Jr. 26, Amari Barksdale 25, Jacqez Barksdale 22, Marquis Barksdale 21, Jaymin Barksdale 13, and Zayis Barksdale 12.
Kenny Hartzell Football/Wrestling Athlete Class of 1996
Kenny Hartzell attended Lafayette elementary school and Chase Middle School and then graduated from Highland Park High School in 1996. During his time at Highland Park High School he participated in both football and wrestling programs.
He was a football varsity starter for three years as an offensive and defensive lineman, being named in 1994 to the 5A 1st team AllLeague, in 1995 2nd team All-League and in 1996 named 1st team All-City and All-League. Kenny experienced several levels of success that include being a four-year starter and 5A wrestling state qualifier. Over his four-years he was named to the 1st team All-City, All-League and was the League Outstanding Wrestler of the Year in the 1994-95 season. His freshman year his record was 10-12, sophomore record 27- 10, in his junior year he was 38-2 and was the 5A State Runner-Up and his senior year record was 37-0 where he was a 5A Regional Champion and a 5A State Champion at the 215 weight class earning 1st team All-City and All-League. As you can see Kenny not only got better at wrestling, but it led him to achieve one of the highest wrestling accolades of being a wrestling state champion.
Following high school Kenny received a football scholarship to attend Washburn University. He currently works for Futamura Films as a supervisor. In his spare time he enjoys spending time with family, coaching wrestling where he helped the Tornado wrestling club for many years as well as coaching his son and now assists with his grandson.
Kenny’s immediate family are Scotsmen which includes his wife Melissa (McDonald) Hartzell, 1996 graduate and they recently celebrated 26 years, his daughter Kloey 2015 graduate, daughter Kerrigan 2018 graduate and son Kenny Hartzell III 2019 graduate. He has two grandsons MJ who is eight years old and Kenny who is one years old
Previous Alumni Hall of Fame Inductees
1992
Ron Evans – Astronaut, 1951 grad
Barney Hayes – Administrator
Joe Thompson – Humanitarian, 1924 grad
1993
Dr. James Neff – Surgeon, 1958 grad
T. Merrill Sanders – Labor Mediator, 1945 grad
Tom West – Educator/State Senator
1994
Jack Gies – Educator, 1944 grad
Tom Kelly – Law Enforcement FBI, 1939 grad
Roberta Monteith – Educator
1995
Lloyd Eberhart – Humanitarian, 1933 grad
John J. Merryman – Educator
Julius Rebeck, Jr. – Chemist, 1962 grad
1996
Lyndon Herman – Educator
Kay Meadows – Educator, 1957 grad
Billie Jean Moore – Coach, 1961 grad
1997
Patty Dick – Coach, 1967 grad
Claude W. Reynolds – Educator/Coach
Dr. Harold M. Voth – Doctor of Medicine, 1940 grad
1998
Dr. William C. Edwards – Veterinarian, 1959 grad
Dr. Larry N. Magnuson – Dentist, 1960 grad
Ben Tice – Educator
1999
Dale E. Cushinberry – Administrator, 1965 grad
Marion T. Doss, Jr. – Prof. of Political Science, 1954 grad
2000
Anthony Hensley – Educator/Politian, 1971 grad
Sherman Oyler – Educator
2001
Kenneth D. Caywood – Educator/Coach
Robert L. Dunham – Major USAF, 1950 grad
2002
Robert Hayes – Administrator, 1958 grad
Marvin J. Pratt – Test Pilot, 1956 grad
Robert Obenhaus – Inventor/Educator, 1952 grad
2003
Bernard D. Ehler – Pharmacist, 1952 grad
Janice Marie Mullinix – Neurologist. 1951 grad
Janet R. Nuzman - Educator
2004
Dixie Barb – Educator/Coach
Robert L. Jones – Educator, 1948 grad
Robert Knight – Community Leader, 1941 grad
2005
Onan C. Burnett – Educator, 1940 grad
2006
Ronald C. Farrell – Educator, 1958 grad
Katherine E. McHugh – Educator/Counselor
2007
Charles “Chuck” Lawson – Humanitarian, 1974 grad
Norman L. Sisson – Aviator, 1942 grad
2008
James Miller – Civil Service, 1944 grad
Gary Schultz – Entrepreneur, 1966 grad
2009
Bette “Burrell” Gies – Community Leader, 1944 grad
2010
Dr. Kevin Moncrief - Entrepreneur, 1978 grad
2011
Richard “Dick” Patterson – Administrator, 1957 grad
2012
John Saunders Quade – Actor (TV, Movies), 1956 grad
Victoria Seeger – Educator, 1972 grad
Freddy Maisberger III – Educator/Coach, 1985 grad
2013
Rocky Nichols – Humanitarian (KS House of Rep), 1988 grad
2014
Chuck Lower – Entrepreneur, 1960 grad
2015
Larry Robbins – Business/Community Leader, 1967 grad
2016
Teri Walton - Educator, 1972 grad
Dr. Ruben West - Entrepreneur, 1987 grad
2017
James Beckwith - Humanitarian, 1972 grad
Patricia (Perine) Nash – Educator, 1975 grad
2018
Jon Boursaw (Colonel, USAF (Ret) - Military, 1957 grad
Charles “C.J.” Jones – Entrepreneur, 1965 grad
Erin Wilder-Doomes – Federal Magistrate Judge, 1990 grad
2019
David Chavez - Entrepreneur, 1984 grad
Judith (Shephard) Meggitt – Entrepreneur, 1961 grad
2020
Ceremony Canceled due to COVID
2021
Lowell Dicke – Entrepreneur, 1957 grad
William “Bill” Gahnstrom – Military/Educator, 1966 grad
Angela Cervantes – Author, 1988 grad
2022
Dr. Ronald Epps – Educator, 1971-88
Marlene Adkison – Media, 1972 grad
Jeffrey Bolden – Pilot, 1986 grad
Previous Sports Wall of Honor Individual Inductees
2002-2003
Dixie Barb
James O. Bell
George Bistline
Don Brock
Ed Delk
Marcia Doman
Robert “Bob” Jennings
C. L. “Tuffy” Kellogg
John Merryman
Roberta Monteith
Claude Reynolds
Paul Sexton
Randy Springs
Ben Tice
2003-2004
Barney Hays
Robert “Bob” Hays
Dale Cushinberry
2004-2005
Melvin Douglas
2005-2006
Charles Banks
Marsha Appelhans
Ernest Drake
2006-2007
Jocelyn Bentley
2007-2008
Lloyd “Paul” Kemp
Billie Moore
2009-2010
James Patrick
Laura (Klamm) Ferguson
Diana (Klamm) Swickard
2012
Gloria (Kemp) White
Darth Vaughn
2013
Ken Darting
2014
Herman Bringle
Dennis Wakes
2015
George Whitney
2016
Larry Liggett
Roger Barth
2017
Jay “Dale” Evans
Steve Woods
Jim Tomes
2018
Ed Rector
Jeff Hisey
Larry Douglas
2019
Leland Andres
Freddy Maisberger III
2020
Canceled due to COVID
2021
Terry Douglas
Danny Kingcannon
2022
Duke Palmer III
Previous Sports Wall of Honor Inducted Teams
2015
1964 Wrestling Team
2012
2006-2007 Boys Basketball Team
2009-2010
The Babb Brothers (Bob, Davey, Mike Babb)
2007-2008
1948 Highland Park Football Team
2006-2007
Lady Scots 1980 6A State Track Team
2005-2006
1977 Men’s Gymnastics Team
2004-2005
1983-84 Highland Park Wrestling Team
2003-2004
1975-76 Highland Park Boys Grand State Champions Basketball Team
2002-2003
1951 Highland Park Football Team
