This is the fourth year of the Albany City School District Hall of Fame inductions. Last year, I became the first Street Academy of Albany / Harriet Gibbons High School student to earn enshrinement, a moment for which I will be eternally grateful. But myself getting in the Hall means nothing, unless I can find a way to get other deserving candidates from my school in the Hall as well.
So earlier this year, I put together another induction consideration package. I included biographical information, I included contributions to the school and to the school district, and I even included a photograph. Everything checked and double-checked. Good. Off it went for consideration.
Today I just received the news. The application was a success.
With that, I am pleased and honored to announce that Harriet N. Gibbons will be inducted into the Albany City School District Hall of Fame, Class of 2012.
Yes. This was as easy as calling a two-headed coin flip.
Harriet Gibbons was a teacher and administrator at Street Academy, and later became its principal from 1973 to 1979. She would later leave Street Academy and accept a position at the Albany City Board of Education, becoming the first woman of color to hold that elected position.
When she passed away in 1992, the Street Academy was renamed Harriet Gibbons High School in her memory and in her honor, and remained as an alternative high school in the Albany City School District until 2010.
And for all that she did, for all that she gave – Harriet Gibbons will now be part of the Hall of Fame, Class of 2012. A richly deserved and blessed honor.
Remember what I said last year. No matter what anybody thinks, my efforts weren’t just about me getting in the Hall. It was about Street Academy and Harriet Gibbons High School students and faculty earning their place in the Hall as well, alongside the Albany High School alumni and Philip Schuyler High School alumni. I may have opened the door, but I’m holding it wide open for my fellow students and teachers.
So besides Harriet Gibbons, who else comprise the Class of 2012 for the Albany City School District Hall of Fame?
Glad you asked.
In addition to Harriet Gibbons, the list includes:
- Richard A. Alfred, M.D., Albany High School ’73 – Orthopedic surgeon, training camp physician for the New York Giants and team physician for Albany High School and several local colleges.
- Gene Cretz, Albany High School ’68 – United States ambassador to Libya, December 2008-May 2012; in process of being confirmed as ambassador to Ghana. Bryan Fitzgerald wrote this Times Union piece about Cretz.
- Carolyn Gottstein Gannon, Albany High School ’00 – Basketball standout; only Albany High player ever named New York state’s Miss Basketball. She was also part of the Times Union’s 1999-2000 high school All-Star Basketball team.
- Shawn Hamlin, Albany High School ’85 – Architect and managing partner of Hamlin Design Group; designed Philip Schuyler Achievement Academy.
- Don M. Prozik – Former math teacher at William S. Hackett Middle School, assistant principal of Harriet Gibbons High School, principal of Abrookin Vocational-Technical Center and longtime Albany High soccer coach.
- Edward R. Trant – Former English and history teacher at Hackett, housemaster at Albany High, principal at School 21, Street Academy and Harriet Gibbons High School; former Albany Board of Education member.
- Ysanne Williams, Albany High School ’98 – High school, college and national track star; educator.
That’s a very solid lineup of inductees. And I can’t wait until October, when the ceremony honoring these great men and women takes place. Look at the lineup – a United States ambassador, a former “Miss Basketball,” a national track star, an orthopedic surgeon who gets to operate on Eli Manning; an architect who designed one school, and an administrator for whom another school was named.
Oh… and although I’m only responsible for nominating Harriet Gibbons, it looks as if two other Harriet Gibbons High School / Street Academy of Albany administrators made it into the Hall this year – Ed Trant, who was principal of the school for several years (as well as being principal of School 21, becoming that institution’s first inductee) and Don Prozik, the Assistant Principal at Harriet Gibbons for several years. That’s three out of eight inductees with SA/HGHS credentials.
Knowledge, Freedom, Brotherhood and Pride.
Chuck The Writer 
Beautiful tribute, Chuck, well done. We can never know the scope one’s actions produce. Sometimes it’s a simple word or a gesture, other times it’s erecting skyscrapers. Harriet Gibbons made her mark, no doubt about it. Congrats to the inductees.
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But myself getting in the Hall means nothing, unless I can find a way to get other deserving candidates from my school in the Hall as well.
Editor’s Note: The above sentence should read “But getting myself in the Hall…” and the word “other” should be dropped.
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If last year wasn’t about getting yourself in the Hall why didn’t you nominate Harriet Gibbons last year instead of yourself?
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D357, With respect, this forum is for comments. This appears to be a personal attack.In defense of Chuck, the context of his statements which are positive are given negative attention by yourself whether you agree or disagree. Your statements are irrelevant. Mr. Miller is working in the industry as a writer,hurtful or venomous remarks and anonymous attacks is not a “right”.If anything it makes you look foolish and Mr.Miller right.I can understand if this was constructive criticism… It appears to be self- entitled in nature though.The rapport between writer and critics, viewers, etc. is what we are all entitled to.Stay classy. There is a right and wrong way of doing things!
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Nice to read about your efforts for Harriet Gibbons and learning about the other nominated Hall of Fame Inductees…meaning you will be very busy that weekend in October…with the AHS Class of ’62 celebrating it’s 50th Reunion on that Sunday evening with you as the Guest Speaker – so, you will have lots to share by the time Sunday night rolls around!
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Yes, I’m very much looking forward to both the HOF induction (which should cover my Friday and Saturday) as well as my guest speaking engagement honoring the Albany High School alumni Class of ’62. Ought to be lots of fun, I’d better stop at Whitney’s and get a new dress suit for the occasion! 🙂
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D357, With respect, this forum is for comments. Yes, I commented.
This appears to be a personal attack. It appears to be a statement of facts.
the context of his statements which are positive are given negative attention by yourself whether you agree or disagree. Wha?!
Your statements are irrelevant. I commented on a blogpost, you commented on a comment…which is more irrelevant?…and I’m not even sure what that above statement was trying to say.
Mr. Miller is working in the industry as a writer Me, too. I’m writing right now.
hurtful or venomous remarks and anonymous attacks is not a “right”. Yes, it is and I’m not anonymous. My full name, hometown, where I work, where I play trivia and even my son’s name have all been posted here by Chuck. I have no idea who you are, “Sandy”.
If anything it makes you look foolish and Mr.Miller right. I completely disagree.
I can understand if this was constructive criticism…It is and you can’t.
It appears to be self- entitled in nature though. You must be confused. I’m not the one who nominated myself before Harriet Gibbons.
The rapport between writer and critics, viewers, etc. is what we are all entitled to. The only thing you’re entitled to here is what Chuck posts.
Stay classy. Thanks for noticing.
There is a right and wrong way of doing things! Now I’m confused…was this for me or for Chuck?
In conclusion…you’re no Roz.
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I think Chuck is allowing personal attack comments to be posted – and it just isn’t right! I’m gonna go look at all the other blogs – oh wait, most haven’t been posted to in eons, guess I’ll stay here and enjoy the banter. 😉
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