DANVERS — Lynn English High School hosted its Athletic Hall-of-Fame ceremony Thursday evening at the Danversport Yacht Club, honoring the Class of 2024.
The inductees were Anthony Anderson (Class of 2000), Daniel Connelly (1990), Joseph Crowley (1995), Allan Ditchfield (1955), Michelle Fabian Ennis (1984), Ryan Ferguson (1998), Alisa Fila (1984), John Hoffman, Deidre (Jackson) Roper (1995), Martha Jamieson (1984), John Langan (1948), Kara (Lunden) Migliozzi (1995), SgtMaj (retired) Kenneth Oswald, and William Rafuse (1968). Jeison Gonzalez (2004), who could not attend the 2022 ceremony, was also recognized.
Featuring plenty of laughs, photos, and hugs to go around, it was an evening to remember.
“The Lynn English Hall-of-Fame is a very special night,” said Athletic Director Dick Newton. “Some of the people were outstanding when they were here and they went on to do great things for the community or in their life, and we are glad we could get them back in here and honor them in a nice way with their families and friends.”
Anderson, who was arguably one of the top basketball players in the state during his time at Lynn English before playing basketball at UMass Amherst, said, “It means a lot to me.
“Coming up in Lynn, there were a lot of great athletes throughout all of the schools and Lynn English had some great ones in particular,” he said. “It just means the world to me, man. I am a Lynn guy through and through. It is everything to me.”
Ennis was a standout athlete on the soccer field, basketball court, and softball diamond, which has led to a lifelong passion for athletics.
“I am speechless,” she said. “It’s a huge honor and especially to be inducted with two of my classmates from the same class. We had a great high school career and played three sports together, all growing up and it’s an honor. It’s a real honor.”
Oswald became a Marine Corps Junior ROTC instructor in the Lynn English program in 1995. He was awarded the Marine Corps Reserve Association Award three times, the Naval Honor School Award 21 consecutive years, and won three National All-Service Drill Team championships.
“It’s an unbelievable honor and a great pleasure. It’s just unbelievable,” he said. “It’s amazing because I never thought it would happen. After all of the years I was the ROTC instructor at Lynn English, for 26 years, and I never thought it would be something down the pike and it’s just a great honor to be rewarded and put into the Hall-of-Fame.”
A great honor, indeed, for inductees who will forever have their names in the Lynn English history books.
Owen Finn is a student at Endicott College studying journalism
