TOWAMENCIN- What does it mean to be a hero? Does it mean putting your life on the line for those you don’t know, or is it as simple as making people smile? Regardless of the answer, North Penn has created plenty of people who fit both descriptions. Since its inception in 1955, NPSD has had a stellar reputation as being a place full of opportunities and excellence. With faculty dedicated to the growth of the students, it is no surprise that the district has earned its excellent reputation.

On Wednesday, November 23 North Penn honored its greatest heroes in the first ever Knights of Honor ceremony.

“They should be recognized for their achievements,” said Christine Liberaski, the NPSD manager of school/community engagement. “And our class of honorees really have some incredible accomplishments.”

The ceremony was quiet, somber, and respectful, with many of the seats being filled with dear friends and families of those receiving the award. If an inductee was a stranger to some, they would get a good understanding of who they are from a firsthand account of someone whom they know personally.

“It was very, very nice for each of us to have somebody who knew us to do the introduction,” said honoree, James Finnemeyer. “In each case with the various presenters, the other honorees just did a really nice job. From start to finish, the whole event was just so well done, and classy.”

Finnemeyer is a North Penn alum of the class of 1964, as well as a retired educator at North Penn High School, and had a reputation of being well liked by both his students and fellow educators.

The Knights of Honor ceremony was something that the district wanted to do for a while now, with plans reaching as far back as last year, in preparation for the district’s 50th birthday. However, with delays grinding the progress, it wasn’t until November of 2016 that the awards could be given.

“We originally planned to have the ceremony in the Spring, at the end of the 50th year,” said Liberaski, “but different things got in the way, so we decided to postpone it and do it instead in conjunction with Thanksgiving and the Alumni game the following morning.”

Still, even with the setbacks, the ceremony was not hurt in the slightest. In the end, North Penn was able to put on an event worthy of its reputation.

“The ceremony was nicely done,” said Davis Giersch, retired educator and honoree. “It’s what I would expect from North Penn: very detailed, well planned, well executed. It was typically outstanding.”

“The ceremony was amazing,” commented Stephanie Frederick, the daughter of North Penn Educator Stephen Frederick. Stephen Frederick was honored with an award, though sadly passed away before being able to claim it. In his stead, his family accepted the decoration. “It’s a fantastic honor to have my father remembered in this way. It’s a way for his legacy and legend to carry on.”

Though the central purpose of the ceremony was to respect the service and legend of North Penn’s proudest people, it also stood as a chance to celebrate the district as a whole as well.

“We wanted to help the students to be proud of their district,” said Liberaski.

“It’s a very fine school district, North Penn,” said Giersch. “It’s a big one, but I like that. I knew that the kids here had a lot of opportunities to whatever they wanted to do.”

“This school district is so highly regarded, not only in the state, but also in the nation,” said Finnemeyer. “I’m not sure that our community knows what an absolute gem this school and school district really are.”

Regardless of age, profession, or field, each of the presenters shared powerful stories and messages from their time working at North Penn. Honoree Michael Haynie, the only honoree who did not teach at North Penn, advised students to learn how to fail, and Stephanie Frederick said to be true to yourself. While the purpose of the ceremony was to award the amazing people of North Penn’s past, the honorees also shared their words of wisdom with the current generation of students.

“There were some great pieces of advice tonight,” said Giersch. “Especially with what Mr. Haynie said about how he learned to fail. Moving forward: that’s a great piece of advice.”

No doubt, the six honorees inducted into North Penn’s Knights of Honor are truly the best the district has to offer. In the words of Horace Mann, another American educator, “Be ashamed to die until you have won some victory for humanity.” The men and women awarded for their service have certainly won that victory.