One of the four core values of BHS is Excellence Inspires Us, but excellence isn’t purely academic, as proved by the third and forth classes of inductees to the BHS Hall of Achievement. “Not every kid is proficient in math and science,” said inductee Shoshana Bean in a written statement. “I certainly wasn’t.”
The BHS Hall of Achievement (HoA) was created in 2016 to honor BHS alumni and staff. The HoA is supported by the Beaverton High School Success Fund, which was established in 2014 as a foundation to aid BHS students and employees. This year the third class was inducted alongside a fourth class, as COVID-19 prevented a formal induction ceremony in 2020.
The third class of inductees includes:
Shoshana Bean, Class of 1995
Gene Brown, Class of 1939
Ben Crane, Class of 1994
Homer Speer, Class of 1949
Dr. Walter Stamm, Class of 1963
The fourth class of inductees includes:
George Atiyeh, Class of 1966
Richard Ayre, Class of 1960
Barbara Ricks Krimgold, Class of 1960
Anthony Newman, Class of 1984
Elise Windes Wenger, Class of 2003
The event began with a welcome message from Principal Kearl and ASB President Juliana Van Camp, which highlighted tradition, community and learning as major parts of Beaverton High School and the HoA. Other speakers included Lisa Sandmire, HoA co-coordinator; Kimberlee Hankin, BHS Success Fund board; Margaret Robinson, Golden Grads organizer; and Dr. Anne Erwin, former BHS principal.
Each of the inductees were introduced and either them or their representative were invited to speak. Of the third class, Shoshana Bean was the only inductee with a representative. Bean is a Broadway veteran and solo artist who was inspired by the BHS performing arts program. She has organized three concerts to raise money for the organization, stating that she wants to provide current BHS students with opportunities in the arts.
All of the fourth class of inductees were either in attendance or had representatives in their stead. First was Richard Ayre, who was part of founding the Natural Resources Defence Council. Near the end of his speech he stated, “I’ve done exactly what I wanted and I hope to leave the world a little better.”
Barbara Ricks Krimgold, a graduate of Harvard and a health and policy expert, was also in attendance. She said that her passion was addressing economic inequality and environmental inequality’s impact on health.
The last inductee in attendance was Anthony Newman, a member of the University of Oregon athletic hall of fame who played twelve seasons in the NFL. More recently, he has been running free sports camps for kids for 25 years and coached high school football since 2007.
The remaining inductees for the fourth class had representatives in attendance. The sister of George Atiyeh was at the event and spoke about her brother’s work fighting to protect the Opal Creek Forest from logging. This work led him to testify in front of Congress in an attempt to save the forest. Sadly, George Atiyeh passed away three years ago in the Beachie Creek Fire.
The final inductee was Elise Windes Wenger, represented by Matthew Bayha. Windes Wenger played water polo for the US National Team, winning a silver medal at 2008 Beijing Olympics and a gold medal at the 2012 London Olympics. At BHS, she was two-time Metro League MVP and state MVP her senior year. She was inducted into the USA Water Polo hall of fame in 2020.
All members of the Beaverton High School Hall of Achievement have made incredible contributions to local, national, and international communities. Former BHS Principal Dr. Anne Erwin put it effectively, stating in her presentation about her time at BHS, “It was clear that there was something special about [Beaverton High School].”
