Denise Roberts Wright, Class of 1983 is being inducted into the Hall of Fame for her academics, creative arts accomplishments, dedication to her students, and volunteerism.
Denise was very active with her studies and extracurricular activities while in high school. She was in National Honor Society each year, won the Spanish Award, represented the school at Girls' State, received the D.A.R. Good Citizen Award and the U.S. National Journalism Award. She belonged to several clubs: Theta Sigma Nu, Key Club, "Ram Blurr", was Yearbook Editor and was on several committees and played field hockey. She was also representative for the Student Policy Forum, a member of Student Council and Secretary for her class.
Denise graduated from The College of St. Rose in 1987 with a BA in Secondary Education/English. While there she was a volunteer tutor in the Writing Lab and joined Sigma Tau Delta which is an English Honor Society Sorority. She then started teaching and later went to SUNY Albany, receiving her Master's degree in Developmental Reading in 1990. In addition, she has 30 more credits.
Denise started working for the RCSD in 1987 and presently teaches 11th grade English, a University at the High School English course entitled "Introduction to Reading Literature", and a Distance Learning Creative Writing course. She is the advisor of the school's Alumni Club (started by the Alumni Association) and Literary Magazine and has volunteered on the school's Making Strides Against Breast Cancer campaign since 2002. In 2004, she was recognized by the Susan G. Komen Foundation with the "Make a Difference" award. She was the Relay for Life coordinator for the school team for the American Cancer Society from 2004-9. In 2006 she was named by Channel 13 as an "Educator of the Week", and in 2007, the Greenbush and Troy area YMCA awarded her with an "Outstanding Educator" certificate. Her volunteer activities also include serving on the Board of Directors for the East Schodack Fire Company and she is a member of the Fort Crailo chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and recently participated in Fort Ticonderoga's Teachers Institute on the French and Indian War. There are many other roles that she has taken on throughout her 30 year career at RHS, too numerous to list.
Denise has been in Drama Club performances and has performed locally re-enacting one of her favorite authors, Louisa May Alcott. She sings in the First Church in Albany Chancellor Choir and enjoys tole painting, playing guitar, ukulele, and now is learning clogging.
Denise was nominated by her proud mother, Doris Nichols Roberts '61, who has been Vice President to the Alumni Association and currently is active as Ex-Officio. Denise resides in East Schodack with her husband Jeff and they have two daughters and a son-in-law.
James Van Vorst, Jr., class of 1968 is being inducted into the Hall of Fame for his service to his country and community.
In High School, Jim excelled in basketball and track. After graduating, Jim joined the N.Y.S. Carpenters Union and attended a Carpenters' Journeyman Program. He also joined the Rensselaer Fire Department as a volunteer firefighter. A year later, he was drafted and enlisted in the Marine Corps. After his Honorable Discharge in 1972, he completed his carpenters' program and married. In 1976 Jim was hired as a firefighter for the Albany Fire Department and retired as a Captain in 2007, after a hip replacement. During his career as a fireman Jim also worked part time for 12 years for the City of Rensselaer in various capacities such as Code Enforcement Officer, HUD Rehab Specialist and Fire Chief. He worked as HUD Rehab Specialist for Cohoes, Watervliet and Columbia County as well. Jim also decided to serve his community by running for alderperson. He is currently in his second term as an Alderperson for the City of Rensselaer's 1st ward. He is a life member of E.F. Hart Hose Fire Company and served on the City of Rensselaer Planning Commission for 5 years. Jim currently operates his own business, JVV HUD Specialists Inc., working on HUD projects as an independent contractor.
Jim was nominated by his long-time friend, Beverly Finlay Ackerman '70. He and his wife of 43 years, the former Christine Smith `70, live in the house in Rensselaer that he grew up in. They have 3 children and are the proud grandparents of 4 grandchildren.
Beverly Finlay Ackerman '70 inducts Jim.