Inductees welcomed to Hall of Fame

Guests at the third annual Sisters High School Hall of Fame banquet heard first-hand tales of early Outlaws history as well as reflections of more recent times as nine individuals, teams, and organizations were honored for contributions to the spirit and culture of Sisters.

The event, held in the high school commons Saturday, September 16, was catered by Tate and Tate. Dennis Dempsey served as the emcee for the evening.

Following introductions by Athletic Director Gary Thorson and Hall of Fame board member Don Pollard, Gordon Mouser - an inductee to the hall of fame last year -  stepped to the podium and delivered a message to the crowd focused on the idea that both his athletic and artistic interests were nurtured in Sisters and that he is heartened that this tradition has continued for Sisters school students to this day.

Following Mouser, AJ Demaris, a 2015 inductee, introduced the members of the 1957 State Champion six-man football team and their coaches as the first honorees of the evening. This group included six of the seven seniors in the class of 1957, who had been quite successful throughout high school, but could not get past the Culver Bulldogs, who won consecutive state titles in the years leading up to 1957. But, after an opening season loss to Mohawk, the Outlaws streaked through the remainder of the season, including a thrashing of Culver, and captured the first state title in school history.

Members of the 1957 team included Stan Williams, Denny Reece, Steven Seigner, Gary Benson, Doug Hockett, Mike Smith, Sam Hewitt, Donnie Mouser, Lee Thomas, Colen Reinecker, Jack Lowery, Rick Bowers, Doug Doffenbarger, John Shaw, Fran Morton, and Butch Larson. The team was coached by Tom Cox and Wayne Pierce.

The second inductee, Brad Bulloch, was honored for his two decades of service to the Outlaws volleyball program, where he served as a mentor, assistant coach and head coach since arriving in Sisters in 1995. He retired last year, leaving an indelible print on a program that has seen more championship-level success than any program in Outlaw history, including five state titles.

Miki McFadden spoke about Bulloch before calling him to the microphone as "that guy who wears the straw hat who is a pillar of the Sisters volleyball family." Bulloch was also part of the 1996 volleyball title team that was inducted in the Hall of Fame two years ago. "He has always put the interests of the students first and foremost and helped innumerable students meet their full potential."

Ever humble - and true to his word that he would keep his acceptance speech short - Bulloch simply said, "I sincerely thank you."

The next inductee, Willis Winkle from the class of 1957, was honored as an individual athlete for a high school career that included a whopping 15 varsity letters from football, basketball, track and baseball, for which he is most remembered due to his being signed to a professional contract in the farm system for the St. Louis Cardinals.

Jody Henderson, who taught music in the Sisters School District for many years before moving to New Hampshire in 2011, was recognized for his tremendous impact to the arts program and to the spirit and vitality of Sisters High School. Henderson, who was unable to attend, shared a short video expressing his gratitude to the Sisters community, with the Outlaws fight song playing softly on piano in the background. To conclude, the video showed Jody donning an Outlaws sweatshirt, playing the fight song on his beloved trumpet, bringing the crowd to its feet to clap along with the tune.

Three athletes from the 1990s were also enshrined in the Hall, including TK Phelps ('96), Shelly Greene ('98), and Cortney Ellis ('99).

Phelps, a three-sport athlete, was best remembered for his leaping ability, which helped him become the favorite passing target of quarterback Nick Fouts, and led him to a state title in the long jump and a school record of 6 feet 8 inches in the high jump. His father, Rob, accepted the award on TK's behalf since his son is finishing his master's degree in Texas and was unable to attend.

Another three-sport athlete, Shelly Greene, competed in track, basketball, and volleyball, where she was named 3A Player of the Year and was a finalist for the Wendy's High School Heisman award in her senior year. Greene tearfully thanked the community for its amazing support during her  school years and offered to give back now that she has returned to live in the area.

Cortney Ellis traveled from Arizona in order to attend the banquet. She admitted that she wasn't too sure about the move to Sisters from Southern California as a freshman, but ended up accomplishing things she never imaged, including being part of a state championship volleyball team and going on to compete at the Division 1 level as a pole vaulter for Montana State University.

One of the most poignant presentations of the evening came when Ronald "Ronnie" Olmstead was honored for his outstanding athletic career that concluded with his graduation in 1956. Olmstead was described by his brother Don as a tremendous middle distance runner and student who received a scholarship to attend Linfield College and also continue his athletic career.

Tragically, Ronnie drowned in the Metolius River at age 17, just days after graduating. His brother encouraged the audience to cherish each day because, "You really don't know what tomorrow might bring."

The final presentation of the evening honored Sisters Folk Festival as an organization, bringing the banquet full circle in recognizing the long history of the Sisters community valuing and investing in academic, athletic, as well as artistic excellence. Brad Tisdel accepted the award as the creative director of Sisters Folk Festival, underlining the organization's mission to provide arts education throughout the school system through programs including the Americana Project, music education, visual arts, and events such as My Own Two Hands.

According to the SHS Hall of Fame website, part of the mission of the group is "to engage with alumni of Sisters High School and develop a culture of Outlaws pride that continues after high school. Celebrating former students, teachers, and coaches that have made a significant contribution to our high school is one way to accomplish this mission."

Committee member Kris Kristovich summed up his interest in the Hall of Fame: "My interest is in preserving Outlaw history."