Posted May 11, 2016
Earlier this school year, the Mariemont City School District launched the Marie Huenefeld Friend of the School Award to recognize individuals in our community who make significant contributions to our school district with their time, service and expertise to create a better experience for our students and make us a better school district.
At the May Mariemont Board of Education meeting, Rusty Wilson was officially recognized as the 2016 reicipient of the Friend of the School Award.
"I have heard many people say that Rusty is their go-to guy whenever they have questions about the culture, traditions and history of Mariemont," said Steven Estepp, superintendent of Mariemont City Schools. "Rusty has been involved with our athletics program and academics alike, giving his time, talent and attention to making our district and our students the best they can be."
Rusty is a Kusel Hall of Fame member for his service to the football team as a statistician for over 15 years. And now he presents the inductees for the Hall of Fame ceremony.
Rusty has also been a mentor for years to countless young Warriors on the golf and baseball teams. He has served as a volunteer golf coach and volunteer JV baseball coach, and is referred to by the student athletes as “Rusty Nails” – "Nails" is an affectionate baseball term used for some players, as in “tough as nails.”
Rusty Wilson has served on the past four valedictorian/ salutatorian policy committees, and he has been heavily involved in the final calculation of the valedictorian and salutatorian of Mariemont High School for the past 20 years.
A man of the community, he is a 1964 graduate of Mariemont High School and has served for 15 years on the Terrace Park Village Council. He organizes the ticket sellers for the Terrace Park Recreation Association’s Labor Day Festival and at one time he served on the Terrace Park EMS. He has also served the Mariemont Knothole League in the important role of collecting the scores and results.
He’s married to his lovely wife, Connie, who is a former board member; and his sons, Brian and Scott, are also Mariemont High School graduates.
"I believe Rusty is an incredibly deserving recipient for the Friend of the School Award, for his humility, his steadfast involvement and his unwavering support of our schools, our students and our community."
The award was created in honor and recognition of recently retired Mariemont Board of Education member Marie Huenefeld, who received the inaugural Friend of the School Award. Marie Huenefeld was first elected to the board in November 1987 and served through 2015.