2002 Meritorious Hall of Fame

Kristi L. Kiick, Ph.D.

The salutatorian of the class of 1985, Kiick was the captain of the field hockey and track teams and president of the National Honor Society. She was a National Merit Finalist and, while in high school, received awards in English, Mathematics and Science as well as the Hugh O'Brien Leadership Award, Kiwanis Citizenship, Jack Kist Scholar/Athlete Award and was recognized as the youth of the month. She was the Pocono Mountains Junior Miss.

Kiick graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Delaware in 1989 with a B.S. in Chemistry. She received a M.S. in Chemistry from the University of Georgia and a M.S. in Polymer Science and Engineering from the University of Massachusetts. Kiick earned her Ph.D. in Polymer Science and Engineering from the University of Massachusetts. She is currently an assistant professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Delaware. She has numerous publications and patents to her credit and guest lectures for businesses and government agencies.

Joseph M. Kulick

Kulick was a 1939 graduate of the East Stroudsburg State Teachers College. He received a M.Ed. in Administration from Lehigh University. He was a teacher and principal in the East Stroudsburg Area School District from 1955-1986. He was President and Vice-President of the IU 20 Principal's Association. He was a two-time Principal-of-the-Year nominee for the PA Principal's Association. He created the school events of Grandparent's Day and Community Day. He was a School Board member and a recipient of the Pocono Mountain's Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Educator Award.
Kulick served the community well. He was a member of the Bushkill Emergency Corps and a recipient of the Tommy Cullan Award for Outstanding Community Service. He served as President and Vice-President of the Pocono Mountain Area Kidney Foundation and was founder and treasurer of the Middle Smithfield Township Civic Association.

John T. Lambert

Lambert is a 1950 graduate of the East Stroudsburg Area School District. He graduated from the East Stroudsburg State Teachers College and received a M.A. from Lehigh University. He began his career as a teacher in the Allentown School District and became a teacher in the East Stroudsburg Area School District, where he later became a teaching principal, principal, Director of Elementary Education, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, Acting Superintendent, and Superintendent. He was also the Superintendent of Record for the Monroe County Area Vo-Tech. He was an adjunct professor at East Stroudsburg University.

Lambert served as chairperson, president and member of many educational and community organizations. In the field of education, he was a member of the State Board of Directors of the Pennsylvania Association for School Administrators, a Past-President of the Pennsylvania Association for Curriculum and Instruction, a Past-President of the Pennsylvania Association for Curriculum and Supervision, a member of the National Board of Directors of the American Association for Curriculum and Supervision Development, and a member of the Pennsylvania School Board. He has been a chairman and member of the East Stroudsburg University Foundation Board and a member of the East Stroudsburg University Alumni Board of Directors. He has served as President and member of the Pocono Medical Center Foundation Board of Directors.

Lambert received many awards, including the Outstanding Graduate from East Stroudsburg University and the Alumni Award for Outstanding Contributions to Education. He was given the Pennsylvania Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development Award for Outstanding Contributions to Education and the Outstanding Service and Leadership Award from the NE Region of PASCD. He also received the Temple University Leap Educator Award. The J.T. Lambert Intermediate School was named in his honor in 1993.

Heather Fae Perfetti, J.D.

Perfetti is a 1991 graduate of the East Stroudsburg Area School District where she was a member of the National Honor Society, a "Top 25" student of her graduating class and an all-star athlete, who was twice named the softball team's MVP and was the captain of the field hockey team and Coaches Award recipient. She received the Smithfield College Scholarship.

She is a Cum Laude graduate of Frostburg State University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English and was a Dean's List student all semesters. While at Frostburg State, Perfetti received the Academic Excellence in Philosophy Award and was a member of Sigma Tau Delta and Phi Eta Sigma. She was a tutor for Bosnian Refugees and the Writing Center.

She is a Cum Laude graduate of the University of Mississippi School of Law where she received the Outstanding Student Award, Contract Negotiation Award, was a Trial Competition Semi-Finalist and received the Albert N. Hopkins Scholarship. She was recognized by Who's Who Among American Law Students and was the Vice-President of both the Public Interest Law Clinic and the Women's Law Association. She was the editor of The Advocate.

She was a Missouri State Public Defender from 1998-2000 and is currently a full-time lecturer of criminal justice at Murray State University, College of Health Sciences and Human Services and the Department of Social Work, Criminal Justice and Gerontology.

Evan C. 'Doc' Reese, M.D.

Reese was a 1931 graduate of Penn State University and a 1934 graduate of the University of Pennsylvania Medical School. He served in US Army during World War II, received the Bronze Star for Meritorious and Superior Service and served as Chief of Medical Staff of the MASH Unit in Northern Luzon. He retired a full Colonel. He was President of School Board and served as a School Board member for 12 Years. He was instrumental in the original construction of the East Stroudsburg Area High School (now East Stroudsburg- South) and its swimming pool. Reese was a charter member of Varsity "E" Club and was part of establishing Memorial Stadium. He was President of the East Stroudsburg Little League at its inception and helped to construct its ballpark.

Reese served as the Monroe County Republican Chairman from 1966 to the time of his death. He was the Pocono Medical Center Chief of Medical Staff. He was a leader of our schools and community who focused on the humanities of all aspects of life and helped many students further their education past high school and many student-athletes continue their endeavors.

Carl T. Secor

Secor was a 1922 graduate of the East Stroudsburg Area School District. He received a B.S. Degree from the East Stroudsburg Normal School and an M.A. from New York University. At six feet six inches tall, "Prof" stood out as an advocate and leader of his school, community and church. He served the East Stroudsburg Area School District as a basketball coach, math and science teacher, high school principal and supervising principal during his 39 years of service to the school district. He was a friend and role model to the students, teachers and staff that surrounded him. He expertly led the school district through the formation of the Jointure and United School Board.

Secor was elected to the East Stroudsburg University Hall of Fame and the Pennsylvania Voters Hall of Fame. He served on the East Stroudsburg Board of Recreation for 39 years, as both president and secretary. He was Past-President of the Monroe County Teacher's Association, the East Stroudsburg Board of Health, the Tuberculosis and Health Society of NE Pennsylvania and the Monroe County Retired Teachers Association.

Known as "Pop" to his family, he valued education and believed in being a lifelong learner. Quite often, he referenced fables and quotes from historical leaders. His favorite quote was, "A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops" (Henry Adams). The Carl T. Secor Administration Center is named after him.

Martin K. Smith

Smith is a 1938 graduate of the East Stroudsburg Area School District where he was a member of the National Honor Society. He was a veteran of World War II. He was a School Board Director for 37 years, serving as President from 1982 to 1984 and Vice-President for 18 years. He served on first Board of Directors to develop the Monroe County Area Vocational-Technical School. He received certificates of recognition for years of service from the Pennsylvania School Boards Association and received a special tribute from the American Family Institute at Valley Forge. He was chosen as a VIP reader for the Spring Into Reading program.

A quiet, thoughtful, a man with a deep concern for academics and sports, Smith has a wife, 3 children, 2 Grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren, all who attended East Stroudsburg schools. He has a genuine respect for education and has spent countless hours studying, researching, and evaluating issues, always aware of events and their impact on students, employees, and the community. Smith is an avid fan of Cavalier sports, never missing a football game.

Ralph G. Turn, Jr.

Turn is a 1934 graduate of the East Stroudsburg Area School District and a World War II veteran. Turn was a member of the School Board for 34 years and served as President of the Bushkill School Board during the crucial years when six separate township schools joined to build a district high school, forming the East Stroudsburg Area School District. Turn was also a member of the initial 30-member East Stroudsburg Area School District School Board.

While a School Board member, Turn oversaw additions to J.M. Hill, Middle Smithfield and Smithfield schools, upgrading the J.S. Bunnell Building, and the construction of the Resica Elementary School and the J.T. Lambert Intermediate School. Turn was also instrumental in locating property for the East Stroudsburg Area School District's North campus.

Turn continued a family legacy of leadership in the former Bushkill School District and is active in the Bushkill Reformed Church, a volunteer at Bushkill Falls, and a volunteer caretaker of Sandhill Cemetery.

James Weidman III

Weidman is the Salutatorian of the East Stroudsburg Area School District's Class of 1948. He is a graduate of Dartmouth College and served with the U.S. Army Security Agency. He was employed with the Hamilton Watch Company from 1955-1970, serving as a sales representative, Assistant to the Director of Sales, and the Director of Public Relations. He also served as President/General Manager of Canadian Hamilton Watch Ltd., Toronto and Corporate Director of Public Relations. He was employed with Welch Foods Inc. from 1971-1994, serving as Director of Corporate Communications and Vice-President of Corporate Communications. He received the Gold Key Award, a distinguished honor conferred by Public Relations News.

Weidman has also served his community as Board President of the Westfield Memorial Hospital, a Board member of the Chautauqua Chamber of Commerce, President of the Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency, a Board member of the State University of New York at Fredonia Foundation, President of the Westfield Day Care Center, a Board member of the North East Pa. Community Foundation and a Finance Committee Member of Chautauqua Institution. He has served as a Chautauqua Township Supervisor and was named the Northern Chautauqua Chamber of Commerce Person of the Year.

Weidman married the former Ann LaBar, also a graduate of the East Stroudsburg Area School District's Class of 1948, has 3 married children and 10 grandchildren.