Hardin-Houston Local School
Wall of Honor
The Hardin-Houston Local School Wall of Honor was created in 2019 and is designed to recognize and honor notable Hardin-Houston alumni, former staff, and community members who have had a lasting impact on the Hardin-Houston Local School through their achievements, performance, or impact on the school and community. By recognizing these accomplishments, we hope to inspire future generations.
We are now accepting nominees for the 2024 class of the Hardin-Houston Local School Wall of Honor. Nomination criteria can be found in the bylaws. Nomination forms are available at this link. Nominations for the 2024 class will be accepted through September 1, 2024.
Hardin-Houston Wall of Honor Members
Inducted December 9, 2023
Click here for photos of the induction ceremony.
Inducted November 26, 2021
Click here for photos of the induction ceremony.
Inducted November 25, 2022
Click here for photos of the induction ceremony.
Inducted December 6, 2019
Click here for photos of the induction ceremony.
Wall of Honor Inductees 2023
Henry Ernst
Inducted December 9, 2023
Henry Ernst, often referred to as Hank, graduated from Fort Loramie High School in 1965. Henry served his country in the late 1960’s, by completing two tours in the Vietnam War. In 1972, Henry created Piqua Concrete Company, which included four plants between the Piqua and the Dayton area. Henry owned and operated this very successful concrete company for forty-six years. Shortly thereafter in 1975, Henry and his wife Linda took up roots in the Hardin-Houston School District and became an instrumental part of the school community for many years.
Mr. Ernst was a Hardin-Houston School Board of Education member from 1990-1998, serving in the capacity of board president for seven of those years. It was during these times when Henry’s skills as a business leader enabled the school district to regain a solid financial footing after years of financial strain. Unbeknownst to most, Henry’s philanthropy benefitted countless numbers of student groups, athletic teams, and provided support for many athletic facility improvements for the district. To this day, Hank continues to be a humble and generous person, who prefers not to be given any additional public accolades.
Barb Heilers
Inducted December 9, 2023
Barb Heilers dedicated her life to serving the youth of Shelby County. Nowhere was this more evident than her twenty-three years working in the Hardin-Houston School District. Barb worked as the secretary of Hardin-Houston Elementary and also devoted numerous years coaching cross country and track within the district. Barb became an “expert” of sorts applying band aids and soothing bee stings for students sent to the office from mishaps on the playground, in addition to sending hundreds of teeth home in zip lock bags. Barb also had countless interactions as a secretary that helped numerous little ones get through the school day. Aside from the school environment, Barb had an enormous impact on our students who were involved in 4-H. She was the advisor for both the Starting Farmers and Scissors to Sheep Clubs for fifteen years. Barb was a woman of faith and passed this faith on by teaching religion classes at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Newport.
As you can see, Barb and her husband Ron believed in the value of serving their community. Her legacy continues to live on today in her three children, ten grandchildren, and thousands of previous Hardin-Houston students and athletes.
Coleen Lumpkin
Inducted December 9, 2023
Teaching is truly a rewarding experience. The saying “To teach is to touch a life forever” is a motto that Miss Lumpkin followed over her illustrious 43 ¼ years in education, with forty of those years as a teacher at Hardin-Houston Elementary. Over the years, many of her past students requested that Miss Lumpkin be their child’s teacher, which speaks volumes to the admiration parents had for her as an educator. She had a great influence on her students’ lives and these same parents wanted her to impact their children’s lives as well. Characteristics such as passionate, unwavering, caring, accountable, and tough define who she was as a teacher and as a person. Within her classroom, Miss Lumpkin was known for her treat closet where she would give treats for 100% papers. At one time, 4th graders were asked, “What would you do if you had to stay at school overnight?” One student quipped, “Not a problem, we will go to Miss Lumpkin’s room and survive on her treat drawer.”
Although she retired at the end of the 2008-09 school year, Miss Lumpkin has remained active with the retired teachers from the Hardin-Houston community and the Delta Kappa Gamma sorority. To this day, Miss Lumpkin still receives personal letters from past students detailing the influence she had on their life. Whether she wants to admit it or not, her legacy is being continued by numerous past students who currently teach in the Hardin-Houston School system.
