The 2022 Oxford Hall of Distinction inductions took place on Friday evening. Pictured are the inductees with their presenters. L to R: Sarah Cheseboro, Pam Cheseboro, Thomas Loughren, Ben Nelson, Carl Koenig, Dr. Craig Reynolds, Steven Bradley, John Jackson, Ryan Stark, and Mayor Terry Stark. (Photo by Morgan Golliver)

OXFORD – On Friday evening, Oxford Academy and Central School inducted five new members to its Hall of Distinction. Pam Cheseboro, John Jackson, Thomas Loughren, Dr. Craig Reynolds, and Mayor Terry Stark were elected into the class of 2022.

These five individuals were nominated by their peers and each showed values that went above and beyond to make a difference in the local community. Each member didn’t know why they were nominated because they felt that they were just doing what was normal to them not knowing the difference they were making in their own community years after graduating.

Before each inductee spoke, they were presented with a tribute video, where they were spoken highly of by a peer who knew them well.

Pam Cheseboro was honored first. Pam was recognized for being an advocate in helping feed the community. Her various efforts in serving 1,000 meals over COVID was just one of many ways she went above and beyond. Pam is also a person that “never says no” to volunteering and helping serve the community. She continues to lend a helping hand during free meals at St. Paul's church in Oxford every Thursday. Her message to others is to “take home the feeling that you’ve made a difference” in someone else’s life.

John Jackson was a star for Oxford Athletics with his massive height advantage, but that’s not the only reason why he was nominated. His efforts and inspiration in the last 30 years as a Biology teacher at Unadilla Valley Central School is phenomenal. His passion for teaching has even led him to join the New York State Master Teacher Program, where he promotes his profession to the next generation. Since joining, he has become an inspiring model to student-teachers. John said he was thankful to have such wonderful teachers growing up and said, “Teachers are the MVPs of school.”

Thomas Loughren has been a major contributor to the community through his legendary work in law enforcement. While he is well-known all over the country for putting away most-wanted criminals, he is thankful for his education at Oxford Academy. During his time at Oxford, he was taught ways to survive in law enforcement and was encouraged to become a policeman by his former coach and teacher Ben Nelson. Loughren is currently serving as New York State’s Commissioner of Corrections where he said, “It is a privilege to serve and protect” as well as a responsibility rather than a job. He also paid tribute to fallen officers.

Dr. Craig Reynolds was recognized as being a very focused and goal-oriented individual who Don Cooper, his former coach and teacher, named as one of the top ten successful people of Oxford. He was a very special athlete who had all the tools needed to succeed in football and baseball, but it was his commitment to his work ethic that led him to this induction. Being an anesthesiologist for over 26 years, he is highly respected by his colleagues and trusted to do his job. Dr. Reynolds is thankful for growing up in the small town of Oxford because of its learning advantages that prepared him for life in Syracuse and other surrounding larger cities.

For many peers that know Mayor Terry Stark, they’ve waited a long time to see him earn this induction. According to his son, Ryan, Stark never stops working. As Ryan stated, there are village papers everywhere surrounding his home and vacation home in Florida. Stark is a very humble man who always puts Oxford first. Stark’s goal is to preserve Oxford and leave it better than when he started, always encouraging others to do the same. During Stark’s individual speech, he left the message of what the Hall of Distinction taught him. His message was that students have relatable role models to get them where they are and to have a goal of being nothing but unforgettable.

Congratulations to all inductees.