Memories shared by families during school’s ceremony
The legacy of two men won’t be forgotten, and their faces and stories will greet Schalmont high school students every day.
Schalmont Central School District held its fifth annual Wall of Distinction Induction ceremony to honor two past graduates. Inductee Dr. James Ryan was involved in cutting-edge research in the field of human genetics related to seeking cures for cancer. By indentifying genetic makers for cancer, Ryan helped establish genetic testing to determine predispositions to particular cancers within families. Fellow inductee Edward Troiano has worked as a mechanical engineer for the Army, BenEt Laboratories since 1984 and holds three patents and one provisional patent related to his field.
We are proud to place these plaques on our Wall of Distinction, and they will serve as an inspiration to our students on a daily basis as they walk past those plaques, said Schalmont High School Principal Terry Nash.
Dan Ryan, brother of Dr. James Ryan, said he was the youngest of six children in his family, so when he was born his brother `Jim` was already attending high school. James Ryan graduated with the Class of 1974 and Dan Ryan graduated with the Class of 1989.
`In my earliest childhood memories of him, he was already off to college starting what would become an amazing academic and professional career,` said Dan Ryan. `Unfortunately, in a cruel twist of fate, cancer took Jim from his family and his patients far too early. My brother Jim was the most intellectually gifted person I have ever known.`
Even though James Ryan was told he only had months to live after being diagnosed with stage four colon cancer, he fought the disease for five year before he died in 2006.
What Dan Ryan thought revealed the true character of his brother was the time he made sure to spend with him when he came back home.
`Regardless of whatever accolades and achievements Jim received through his years when he was home, he always found time to throw a ball in the backyard with his brother,` said Dan Ryan. `If Jim were here, he would be grateful for the honor Schalmont is giving him.`
Margaret Anderton, sister of James Ryan, said she was able to find her brother’s high school football jersey and tassels easier than any awards he received.
The care and effort he gave to his patients, said Anderton, would often go beyond what people might normally expect from a doctor. She said his patience was also amazing and he wouldn’t rush his patients.
`He gave the essence of who he was to his patients,` said Anderton.
Anderton nominated her brother for the honor, an honor she accepted in 2008. Her mother had wanted her brother James to also get nominated, so after her mother passed away in January of last year, she decided to follow through with her wishes.
`We just had to do it because my mom wanted us to,` said Anderton. `My mother was the last person my brother had spoken to before he couldn’t speak anymore.`
Inductee Edward Troiano couldn’t attend the ceremony due to a prior commitment, but he did provide his nephew David Troiano with some remarks to share.
`I am deeply honored to be inducted into the Schalmont Wall of Distinction,` read David Troiano. `I also want to thank the dedication of Schalmont teachers that inspired and encouraged me to seek further education in the math and science fields.`
Though Troiano had received several awards throughout his career, he said it was a privilege to be recognized at Schalmont, where his values and principles were developed.
`This award confirms for me with a little hard work and a focus on continued learning, we can all continue to make a difference in our personal and professional lives,` Troiano said in his statement.
Troiano’s father, Anthony, said all four of his children, with Edward being the youngest, graduated from the district, and he was proud of the education the school provided.
`Schalmont is the greatest, believe me,` said Anthony Troiano.
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