Hall of Fame and Awards
Since 2009, the West Babylon Alumni Foundation has recognized the exceptional achievements of West Babylon Graduates who have made significant contributions to their profession or society and non-graduates who have made contributions to the betterment of the West Babylon School District and community.
Each year we host an event to honor these individuals who are inducted into the Hall of Fame or are recipients of the Board of Director Awards.
Award Ceremonies
2024 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
Scroll down for pictures of the event. Board of Directors’ Award Linda Caldwell Kronenbitter – 1982 The West Babylon Lion’s Club 2021 Hall of Fame Inductees Lieutenant Colonel Steven Harrington – 1965 Lieutenant Colonel…
Hall of Fame Inductees and Board of Director Award Recipients
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Jon Link
2017
B.O.D. AWARD
Retired Social Studies and Humanities Teacher Jon was born and raised in a small farming and ranching community in West Texas. Upon graduating from public school, he attended Abilene Christian University and graduated with a major in History in 1968. In the spring of that year, Mr. Petersen and Dr.…
West Babylon Lions Club
2024
B.O.D. AWARD
The history of the West Babylon Lions Club began on June 12, 1950, when Harry J. Diehl, a representative of Lions International, certified that he had received the names of 31 members to issue a charter. The purpose of a Lions Club is to serve the community meeting its needs…
Dr. Robert Manley
2010
B.O.D. AWARD
Dr. Manley graduated from Iona College with a BA in Spanish Language Arts and minors in Philosophy and Education. He completed his MA degree in the Humanities at Hofstra University and his Professional Diploma and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in Educational Administration at St. John’s University. Dr. Manley taught Spanish…
Christine Mowbray Manzi
Class of 1996
2017
HALL OF FAME
Being from a family of volunteer firefighters and following in her father’s footsteps, in August of 1992 at the age of 14, Christine joined the West Babylon Junior Fire Department. While working her way through high school, maintaining superior grades, and participating in extracurricular activities, Christine was also busy advancing…
Thomas McAteer
Class of 1971
2010
HALL OF FAME
Tom McAteer serves as a Senior Vice-President and Regional Market Head for Aetna Better Health, Aetna’s Medicaid Division. He is responsible for the East Region and he has led an expansion that started with a health plan in Delaware and now includes plans in Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Florida. The region…
Dr. Daniel S. McCally M.D., F.A.C.S.
Class of 1964
2011
HALL OF FAME
For Dr. Daniel S. McCally, the foundation of his career began with his attending Kindergarten through 12th grade in the West Babylon School District. Dan attended Santapogue Elementary School, then the WB Junior High School, and graduated from the WB Senior High in 1964 as the class president. Dr. McCally…
William A. Miller
Class of 2002
2021
HALL OF FAME
William A. Miller was born and raised in West Babylon. From JFK to WBSH, he walked these halls with his brothers and sister. Billy obtained a BS in History Education at SUNY Albany, supporting himself along the way in the restaurant industry, a field he was familiar with from the…
Jeffery Mintz (posthumously)
Class of 1975
2017
HALL OF FAME
CLASS OF 1975 Jeffery was born and raised in West Babylon. He graduated in 1975, one of three brothers who attended and graduated from the West Babylon Senior High. During his high school years, he was involved in a number of activities, including: Student Government (S.A.); and Human Relations which…
Mary Myers Bruckenstein
Class of 1963
2016
HALL OF FAME
Mary, the oldest of 6 children of Stuart and Elizabeth Myers, attended all West Babylon Schools and graduated in 1963. After graduation, she completed the Nursing program at King’s County Hospital and worked as well as taught at the Rusk Institute for Rehabilitation. In 1968, Mary joined the Peace Corps…
Eileen Naughton Roberto
Class of 1970
2015
HALL OF FAME
Eileen Roberto graduated from West Babylon High School in 1970. While raising her three children, she attended evening college and earned her RN degree in 1982. Eileen’s passion for improving end-of- life care began as a staff nurse on the oncology unit at Good Samaritan Hospital. She became a clinical…
Mel Noble
2016
B.O.D. AWARD
Mel Noble was selected to become the West Babylon Junior High School Principal in 1983 while completing his fifth year as assistant principal at Carmel’s George Fischer Middle School in Putnam County, NY. From 1967-1978, he taught and held various administrative roles at Eleanor Roosevelt Junior High School in Manhattan,…
Laurie O’Gara
Class of 1971
2021
HALL OF FAME
After graduation in 1971, Laurie took off for California with her boyfriend John. There she fell in love with silversmithing and brazing jewelry and small sculpture. In 1972 she moved to Cincinnati and went to work for General Electric. She certified as a turbine specialist in specialized metals and was…
Jerry Owenburg
Class of 1969
2021
HALL OF FAME
Jerry Owenburg moved to West Babylon in 1954 at age 4. He went through West Babylon Schools and played all sports in school with football being his passion He was in the Marching band where in 1967 he met wife. She was a Majorette in the band and he was…
Helmer Petersen (posthumously)
2009
HALL OF FAME
From the early 1940’s to the early 1970’s (when he passed away), Helmer Petersen was the educational leader of the West Babylon Schools. He held the position known then as District Principal and later as Superintendent of Schools. During this entire period, he was also a resident in the school…
Dr. Christopher Proto
Class of 1972
2011
HALL OF FAME
Dr. Christopher Proto is a total West Babylon School District product. He attended Santapogue Elementary School from 1960–66, then attended the West Babylon JHS before graduating in 1972, from West Babylon High School, where he also served as yearbook editor. After graduation, Chris attended Fordham University and graduated with a…
Jonathan Reese
Class of 1986
2009
HALL OF FAME
Jon Reese is a 1986 graduate of West Babylon High School where he was involved in many school activities. Jon was an outstanding athlete and was named team MVP in lacrosse, football and basketball. He was named to Newsday‟s All Long Island Football Team and a two time All State…
James Regan Jr.
Class of 1995
2025
HALL OF FAME
James Regan Jr. graduated from West Babylon High School in 1995. Raised on Lucerne Drive, he comes from a large extended family, many of whom are deeply connected to the West Babylon community. He earned a Liberal Arts degree from Seton Hall University and a Master’s in Social Work from…
Benedict Reyes
Class of 1964
2016
HALL OF FAME
High School and graduated in 1964 from the West Babylon Senior High School. At WB, he was well loved by fellow students and teachers alike. Ben was a standout athlete participating in Track and Field and wrestling, but it was football where he truly excelled. He was an outstanding player…
Dr. Vito J. Rizzo
Class of 1974
2021
HALL OF FAME
Vito J. Rizzo, DPM, graduated from West Babylon Senior High in 1974. He attended SUNY @ Buffalo and graduated there in 1978 with a degree in Biology. He then attended the New York College of Podiatric Medicine, graduating from there in 1982. His career as a Podiatrist has spanned almost…
Michael J. Rizzo
Class of 1967
2013
HALL OF FAME
Michael Rizzo, born in Brooklyn, moved to West Babylon in 1958 when he was ten years old. He attended the Main School, West Babylon Junior High and graduated in 1967 from West Babylon Senior High School. Michael was always very patriotic and loves his country. He was, and still is,…