Sherburne-Earlville is proud to welcome four newcomers to its Wall of Fame, which honors graduates and staff members who have made significant contributions to humanity, improved the quality of life, or achieved noteworthy recognition in their careers or educations.
The S-E Wall of Fame’s Class of 2020 features Roy Balma, Martha Conklin, Colonel Richard Lindsay III and Matt Nakoa Pryor. The quartet will be recognized during the 2020-2021 school year (date TBA) as the 2020 spring induction ceremony has been postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The S-E Wall of Fame has honored 48 extraordinary people since its inaugural year in 2009. Future selections will be announced during even-numbered years as S-E Wall of Fame inductions alternate with Athletic Hall of Fame ceremonies (odd-numbered years).
Visit the S-E Wall of Fame page online at https://www.secsd.org/SherburneWallofFame.aspx to read about all of our inductees and to learn how to nominate candidates for future consideration.
Roy T. Balma (1942-2001): Roy was called “Color Guard Instructor Extraordinaire” by his former drill-team members. A 1960 graduate of Sherburne Central School, Roy was the Color Guard instructor at his alma mater (1964-1975) before heading the guard at several area schools. Roy also was active in the Mid-York Color Guard Circuit, and several of his teams won MYCGC Championship Competitions and competed throughout New York and Massachusetts, becoming Canadian Open Champions in 1967. Roy held his color guard members to the same high standards that he asked of himself: diligence, focus, and total dedication. At least eight of his former color guard members have become color guard instructors.
Martha Conklin (1931-2018): Known as “Marti” or “Gram,” Martha was a beloved physical education teacher, mentor, role model, coach, personal counselor, and friend to students for more than 30 years. A graduate of Cortland State Teachers College, Marti’s career in Sherburne began in 1955. Her students were figuratively her own kids, and she taught them how to make the right choices in life and to enjoy themselves in whatever activity they chose. Her dedication and fairness earned the heartfelt respect not only of her students, but also of their parents and her colleagues. An avid runner, Marti participated in the New York City Marathon and often could be seen jogging around her family home on Chenango Lake.
Colonel Richard Lindsay III: A 1988 graduate of Sherburne-Earlville, Col. Lindsay is currently the Deputy Director/Chief Operating Officer of the Defense Health Agency’s National Capital Region Medical Directorate. He has risen through the ranks quickly, including posts as the Commander/Chief Executive Officer of the U.S. Army Element at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, and as the Chief of Staff/Chief Operating Officer of the U.S. Army’s 121st Combat Support Hospital/MEDDAC. Col. Lindsay earned his master’s degree in Healthcare Administration from Baylor University and his bachelor’s degree from SUNY Cortland. He has served in Germany, Korea, and Afghanistan, as well as in many American locations.
Matt Nakoa Pryor: A 2002 graduate of Sherburne-Earlville and 2006 graduate of Berklee College of Music, Matt is a singer, songwriter, classical pianist, and multi-instrumentalist. He has toured internationally and recorded several albums, including Light in the Dark, A Dozen Other Loves, Choreographic, and Casting Shadows. Matt was called WFUV’s “Discovery of the Year” in 2014 and won the Kerrville Folk Festival’s New Folk Competition that same year. He also was the “Most Wanted Artist” at the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival in 2015 and has collaborated with a variety of artists, including folk star Tom Rush and country singer Kathy Mattea.
Posted 4/28/2020