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.

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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

 

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