By: Joe Shouse, Sports Writer
Since 2010 the Wayne Trace School District has honored former staff in what is billed as the Wayne Trace Staff Hall of Fame. This past Saturday, prior to the Raiders basketball game with Miller City, the Raider community honored this year’s recipients; Mrs. Peggy Glick and Mr. Al Welch.
Glick obtained her first teaching job at Grover Hill Elementary and remained a part of the district staff for 30 years. She was nominated by Tina Mead and Leah Maassel and during the induction ceremony Glick was escorted by Hall of Fame committee members Jessica Davis, Kerry Gudakunst and April Krouse.
“I’m a little speechless,” said Glick after receiving her plaque at center court in the high school gymnasium. She went on to say, “ It’s been a long time; 50 years since I graduated. I believe I am the first Wayne Trace graduate to retire from Wayne Trace. But, looking back on my teaching career I admit that I loved every minute of it.”
As a 2022 Hall-of-Famer Glick was a member of the 1972 graduating class that has the distinction of being the first graduating class following consolidation. Following her days at Wayne Trace as a student she attended The Ohio State University where she obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Early and Middle Childhood Education.
Described as one who deeply cared for her students, one of her nominators said, “She was an outstanding teacher who challenged her students. She would be in her classroom early each day and would stay late most nights to make certain her lessons were ready for her students. She put everything she had into educating the students in the Wayne Trace district.
Today, Glick works part time at Arps Dairy in Defiance and assists her husband operating the Five Span Inn. Glick stays busy with her hobbies and volunteering in her community. She enjoys reading, doing crafts, gardening and boating. She is also active in her church where she serves as pianist and volunteering at the Paulding County Historical Society.
Also honored and welcomed into the Wayne Trace Hall of Fame was Al Welch who was nominated by current Head Basketball Coach Jim Linder. Welch was escorted by Jennifer Mohr and Jack Baumle.
Welch spent his entire teaching career within the Wayne Trace district, teaching at Grover Hill and Payne prior to becoming the physical education instructor at what was then the newly constructed Wayne Trace High School.
For 33 years Welch served as the schools’ varsity basketball coach and has the distinction of leading his 1991 team to a state championship. Not only was he active as a successful coach on the hardwood but Welch also spent time coaching track, cross country, football, and girl’s golf.
Standing in the main entrance of the school prior to the reception, Welch said, “This means the world to me. It means so much because of all the great students and athletes. I admit that I really enjoyed my time here and hated to have to retire.”
Looking around and seeing family, friends and former students, Welch chuckled and said, “I think I had most of these people in my class.”
Since retirement Welch has not drifted far from the sports scene. He still enjoys attending various sporting events where you will spot him in the stands cheering for his grandchildren. Welch, being the competitor that he is, continues to work to improve his golf game while staying active with the family’s sporting goods business.
