Lake County Schools welcomed its third class of Alumni Hall of Fame inductees Wednesday, April 17 in the Everett Kelly Convocation Center at Lake Sumter State College. This year’s inductees are:
- Major General David W. Coffman, Eustis High School class of 1981;
- Gary Semanchik, Leesburg High School class of 1967;
- Pastor John H. Christian, Leesburg High School class of 1989, and
- Sheriff Peyton C. Grinnell, Leesburg High School Class of 1986.
Major General David W. Coffman is a native of Lake County and a graduate of Eustis High School. He joined the military after graduation and received numerous awards for his bravery, including a Purple Heart he received after being shot during a helicopter mission. In 2011, he was nominated as Brigadier General by President Obama, making him one of the highest-ranking officers in the U.S. Marine Corps.
Gary Semanchik of Leesburg High School’s class of 1967 is an acclaimed former athlete, coach, and educator.
Following his career as an educator, he became an award-winning entrepreneur with businesses and awards spanning over four decades. His work eventually lead him to invest back into his community and in 2005 he formed the Adoption Hope Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to assisting couples with international adoption. He is currently the owner of Camp Sycamore Creek in Joelton, TN, where the mission is to provide underprivileged children with a fun-filled camp experience that enriches their physical, mental and spiritual growth.
Mayor John H. Christian is both a religious and political leader in Lake County. A graduate of Leesburg High School in 1989, he also was elected as mayor of the city of Leesburg in 2005, 2008, and 2014 and is currently serving as Mayor. His ministry has afforded him a large impact on the community through the founding of his church, Christian Worship Center, and organizations such as Men of Distinction, which launched many community events such as summer programs, health fairs and voter registration drives.
Sheriff Peyton C. Grinnell graduated from Leesburg High School in 1986. He is a decorated combat Marine Corps veteran and a distinguished member of Leesburg law enforcement. He was sworn in as the Sheriff of Leesburg in 2017 and serves his community in many other capacities. He serves on the boards of directors for organizations like Hand in Hand Lake County, Lake Sumter State College Scholarship Foundation and the Educational Foundation of Lake County.
The Educational Foundation of Lake County honored distinguished LCS alumni at the annual Night of Stars celebration April 17, where Lake County Schools inducted the 4 new alumni into the Hall of Fame amongst friends, family, and community supporters. The event was sponsored by Insight Credit Union.
Photos of the 2019 inductees will be added to the new Lake County Schools Alumni Hall of Fame wall display in the lobby of the Tavares district office, as well as the virtual hall of fame on the Lake County Schools’ main website.
The Lake County Schools Alumni Hall of Fame was established in 2016 to honor our graduates who have built on what they learned as an LCS student to distinguish themselves through outstanding personal and professional accomplishments.
Inductees from 2017, the last year inductions were held, are:
- Michelle Rigby Assad – Tavares High School Class of 1991
- Angela David – Mount Dora High School Class of 1988
- Timothy W. Green – Umatilla High School Class of 1977
- Charles Edd Holder – Tavares High School Class of 1965
- (Ret) USN Rear Admiral Jeffrey “Scott” Jones – Leesburg High School Class of 1974
