On a chilly and rainy September 28, much of the Kettering community was shrouded in darkness. But the stage lights shone brightly in the Fairmont Auditorium, where we celebrated the remarkable achievements of this year's four inductees into the 2024 Performing Arts Hall of Fame.

Just a few weeks later, the spotlight turned to the Chester A. Roush Educational Hall of Fame, as Kettering alumni, families, and staff came together in the Fairmont Recital Hall. During this heartfelt ceremony, we welcomed three exceptional educators whose dedication and impact have shaped countless lives in our community.

These events were more than ceremonies—they were a testament to the talent, passion, and commitment that define the Kettering spirit.

Performing Arts Hall of Fame was established in 2021. The following criteria is needed in order to be inducted:

MUSICIANS, ACTORS, and/or PERFORMERS:

1. Must be a graduate of one of the four Fairmont High Schools.
2. Only eligible 10 years or more after graduation.
3. Must have made a “significant contribution” to one or more Fairmont Performing Arts programs.
4. Post High School Performing Arts Accomplishments may also be considered

SPECIALS: (Directors, Administrators, and/or Boosters) .

1. Must have served in the Kettering School District for a minimum of five years.
2. Must have been retired from their position for five years.
3. Must have made a “significant contribution” to the Fairmont Performing Arts.

Performing Arts 2024 Inductees:

Will Kuhn: Performing Arts

Will is a 2000 Fairmont graduate where he participated in all aspects of the band program. He played percussion in every group possible at Fairmont, including marching band, wind ensemble, jazz band, and the inaugural season of Fairmont indoor percussion! Will graduated from Miami University in music education and earned a Masters degree from Indiana University in Music Technology. He is a nationally and internationally sought after clinician in the fields of electronic music and composition and has published 2 books on these subjects. Will leads the innovative electronic music program at Lebanon High School and also teaches electronic music production at the Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music.

Dan Nicora:  Performing Arts

Dan is a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where he attended Duquesne University. He performed as a member of the Air Force Band of Flight at Wright Patt Air Force Base. Following his stint with the Air Force, Dan taught music in the Kettering Schools from 1989 until his retirement in 2019.  Dan taught elementary music at Southdale and band at Van Buren Middle School. In 1997 he came to Fairmont, where he taught concert band classes, and led the award-winning Jazz Program.

Todd Reid: Performing Arts

Todd is a 1979 graduate where he participated in all aspects of the music program and was also a member of the NCR Band, Sinclair Wind Symphony, Dayton Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, and the OMEA All State Orchestra. He is a graduate of the prestigious Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music. Todd has taught drums and percussion since 1986 and has served as a faculty member in Music & Entertainment Industry Studies at the University of Colorado-Denver since 2009, where his focus is drum set, electronic music, and music history covering electronic music and jazz.

Randy Villars: Performing Arts

Randy is a 1976 graduate where he participated in all aspects of the music program. Randy is a professional performer, educator, and composer and has played with The Cincinnati Pops, Dayton Philharmonic and Springfield Symphonies as well as composed music for national commercial music clients and film music for Time-Life films. Randy served as a graduate teaching assistant at The Ohio State University in Jazz Studies, as an adjunct faculty member at the Stivers School For The Arts, as a graduate teaching assistant at CCM in the jazz piano department, and also founded The Dayton Jazz Institute, a private lesson studio focusing on Jazz education.

Chester A Roush Educational Hall of Fame was established in 1975, the Kettering Board of Education established the Chester A. Roush Educational Hall of Fame, to place in perpetuity, for remembrance and inspiration, those individuals who exemplify the life and career of distinguished educator, Chester A. Roush. The Kettering City Schools and Kettering community are genuinely indebted to Mr. Roush for his legacy of exemplary service to the students, District employees and community at-large.  To commemorate the high ideals that characterized his life and career, inductees will be selected who have distinguished themselves in their contribution to education in the Kettering City Schools.  A maximum of three individuals will be honored each year.   

Roush HOF 2024 Inductees:

Amanda “Mandy” VanDyke: Roush

Mandy began her teaching career in 1987 with Urbana City Schools as a Life Physical Science Teacher for 7th and 8th grade students. She joined Kettering Fairmont High School in 1996 as a Biotechnology Teacher, while also attending Wright State University, where she earned her Master’s Degree in Secondary Education/Classroom Teacher of Science. In 2002, Mandy expanded her teaching responsibilities to include Biology, teaching both Biotechnology and Biology at Fairmont  until her retirement. Mandy also served as the HOSA Advisor to Future Health Professionals and was the Assistant Softball Coach at Fairmont  from 1996 to 2020. She earned the prestigious National Board Certification in 2007, was the recipient of the Kettering Outstanding Teacher  Award (KOTA) in 2001, 2007, 2001 and 2015, and the Kettering Excellence in Education Award in 2015, and was recognized as an Honored  Educator with the National Technical Honor Society in 2020. Mandy VanDyke retired from the Kettering Schools in 2020.

Debbie Beiter: Roush

Debbie received her Principal Licensure in 1986 and began her leadership career in Indiana as Principal at Mt. Carmel Elementary School, and later as Principal at Denver  Place Elementary School. In 2000, she  joined Kettering City Schools, where she served as the Principal at Indian Riffle Elementary School for 20 years. Under her leadership, Indian Riffle was awarded the prestigious National Blue Ribbon School Award, and Debbie traveled to Washington D.C. to accept the award on behalf of Indian Riffle and the Kettering City  Schools. Debbie retired in 2020, but returned to Kettering Schools to  serve as Interim Principal at Southdale Elementary and then Building  Principal at Greenmont Elementary, where the school was awarded the  state of Ohio PBIS Bronze Award in 2024. Debbie retired in 2024, but  remains an integral part of the KCS family, currently serving as a substitute Principal, as needed, at our elementary schools districtwide.

Amy Dunaway- Haney: Roush

Amy joined the Kettering City Schools in 1992 as a Teacher for Spanish World Language at Fairmont High School. She also served as a Spanish Instructor for Sinclair Community College, a Praxis Instructor for  

the Ohio Department of Education and a Methods Instructor for the University of Dayton. Amy was a well-decorated teacher, having received numerous awards, including Who Among America’s Teacher, OFLA Leona Glenn Award for Outstanding World Language Teacher, Walmart Teacher of the Year, Disney Teacher Award, and the BGSU Apple Award for Educator of the Year. Amy lost her courageous battle to Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophy during the 2023-24 school year. She was a remarkable example of  someone who overcame a disability while delivering impactful, meaningful teaching that inspired her students, friends, and colleagues alike.