Members of the Edwin O. Smith Hall of Fame
Inducted November 2015:
David Blei - Class of 1992
David Blei distinguished himself in his graduating class as he (along with Alexis Katz) was voted “most unique”. He wasn’t even willing to acknowledge that he was going to college in the yearbook. The Oracle (the student newspaper) took up much of his time. After high school, he did go to college – to Brown University where he majored in computer science, and followed that degree up with a Ph.D. from Berkeley (University of California). He has since taught computer science and statistics, first at Princeton, and currently at Columbia University. He received the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers in 2011, and the Blavatnik Award for Young Scientists in 2013. He has published numerous articles in peer-reviewed journals since 2008, and has mentored over twenty graduate and post-doctoral students. |
Giovanni Favretti - Class of 1976
Giovanni Favretti’s active participation at E. O. Smith – National Honor Society, Student Council, University of Connecticut Board of Representatives for E. O. Smith, and the madrigal singers, culminated when he received the prestigious E. O. Smith Award. In 1980, Favretti graduated cum laude from Harvard University, with a concentration in classics: Latin and Greek. He also studied orchestral and choral conducting and composition in Salzburg, Austria, and became fluent in Italian and German. Following his college graduation, he began a successful career in the financial services industry, earning his CFA as well as other numerous prestigious designations. Throughout his career, Favretti has continued to be an active member or trustee of business and community organizations related to music, rare books, the classics, and public service. |
Jennifer Gordon
Class of 1983 Jennifer Gordon’s distinctions at E. O. Smith carried over into her post-secondary education and career. She graduated at the top of her high-school class and was instrumental in starting E.O. Smith’s chapter of Amnesty International. She played clarinet with the E.O. Smith band, and was an editor of Virtu, the literary magazine. After earning both her undergraduate and law degrees from Harvard University, Jennifer became a public-interest lawyer, founding the Workplace Project, which organizes immigrant workers coming to the U.S. from primarily Central and South America. For these efforts, she was named a MacArthur Prize Fellow. Her book, Suburban Sweatshops: The Fight for Immigrant Rights, was published by Harvard University Press. Gordon is currently a Professor of Law at Fordham University School of Law. She writes and speaks frequently about immigration and low-wage workers’ rights. In 2015, the National Law Journal named her an “Outstanding Woman Lawyer.” |
Beth Harper Larkins-Strathy
Class of 1970 Inspired by her father, a plant science professor at UCONN, her mom, a creative art teacher/artist and her teachers at E. O. Smith High School, Beth discovered her own passion and joy in the field of education. She has been recognized as an outstanding and innovative educator with teaching and administrative experience on the elementary, middle and collegiate levels. She is the recipient of many prestigious education awards such as Region 15 Teacher of the Year, Connecticut State Teacher of the Year Finalist and Celebration of Excellence four time winner. She is a published author of numerous books and articles such as, A Teacher’s Guide to Performance Based Learning and Assessment and The Election in Your Classroom: Election Connections for Critical Thinking. In addition, she has presented at over 200 state and national conferences. Beth devotes her skills, time and spirit to improving public education and advocating for students. As the Associate Dean of the School of Education at Quinnipiac University, Beth continues to promote academic excellence, ensuring that future generations enjoy high-quality teachers as well. |
Evan Rogers
Class of 1977 Evan Rogers’ interest in music manifested itself at E. O. Smith High School. According to his senior biography, “music … bongos… Stevie Wonder, …Earth, Wind and Fire … Tower of Power” were his primary interests. After high school, Rogers became a songwriter and record producer; he has written and produced hits for Kelly Clarkson, Shakira, Rod Stewart, Christina Aguilera, and ‘N Sync. He discovered, developed, and signed world-wide superstar Rihanna. Rogers and his partner, Carl Sturken, have achieved more than 20 Top-40 hits and twelve Top-5 hits and earned six BMI awards. Their songs have sold more than 60 million albums, both in the U.S. and around the world. |
James R. ‘Bob’ Hopson Track and Field and Basketball
Class of 1979 As a senior, Bob Hopson helped lead the boys basketball team to a 21-4 record and its only ECC regular season and tournament titles in 25 seasons. The Panthers also reached the Class M state semi-finals. Prior to the remarkable 1979 season, the team had reached the post-season just three times. Later that spring, Hopson became state champion in the high jump (6'8") and triple jump (44'6"), and he set school records that still stand. At UConn, Hopson was an eight-time Big East high jump champion, winning both the indoor and outdoor titles in each of his four years at the school. As a senior All-American, he jumped 7'4". He competed in the U.S. Olympic Trials in 1984. Hopson currently works at UConn as a Senior Admissions Officer, where he has worked for many years. |
Lori Kessel
Soccer Class of 1983 A key member of a dominant girls soccer team that at one time won 79 straight games, Lori Kessel began her E.O. Smith soccer career by scoring 50 goals as a freshman. Kessel led the Panthers to three successive state championships from 1979 to 1981. She finished her career with a remarkable 164 goals, and was a three time All-American. In 2002, Kessel enrolled at Connecticut College to complete her degree. There, she embarked on a superb second athletic career in Track and Field. While at Connecticut College, she set individual indoor and outdoor school records in the 200 and 400 meters at the age of 36, and was also a part of a record-setting relay team. Lori is currently enrolled at UConn where she is doing graduate work in archeology. |
Lorie Lynn McCollum Murray
Field Hockey and Basketball Class of 1978 A true leader in the evolution of girls' athletics at E.O. Smith, Lorie McCollum led the field hockey team to Class M state championships in 1976 and 1977, scoring 33 goals and adding 28 assists over those two seasons. She was also a superb basketball player and team captain, once receiving a letter of commendation from the state senate for her outstanding performance in a game. McCollum then attended UConn, where she helped to establish one of the most successful field hockey programs in the country. As a senior All-American in 1981, she scored a goal and added two assists in the Huskies' victory over top-ranked UMass in the first ever NCAA National Championship game in field hockey. McCollum was named player of the game. |
Ron Pires Varsity Boys Basketball Coach, 1980-
After a Hall of Fame career as a basketball player at both Norwich Free Academy and Eastern Connecticut State College, Ron Pires brought his remarkable teaching ability and a steady hand to E.O. Smith in 1980. Over the next 35 years, Coach Pires guided the boys basketball team to 514 wins, including seven 20-win seasons and a 66-game home league winning streak from 1990 to 1995. His teams qualified for 29 state tournaments, won 10 conference championships and six conference tournament titles, and reached two Class L state finals. Pires was named Connecticut High School Boys Basketball Coach of the Year in 2015. He also enjoyed a long career as a beloved teacher at the Helen Baldwin School in Canterbury. |
Lyle Yorks
Soccer Class of 1988 As a four-year standout on the E.O. Smith soccer team, Yorks led the Panthers to Class LL State Championships in 1985 and 1987. In addition to collecting All-America honors his junior and senior seasons, Yorks was named the Gatorade National High School Soccer Player of the Year. He finished his E. O. Smith career with 78 goals and 54 assists. At the collegiate level Yorks won NCAA National Championships in 1989 and 1991 with the University of Virginia, and also represented the United States in two youth World Cups. After college, Yorks played professionally in Major League Soccer, the National Professional Soccer League, and Europe before establishing a career as a leading sports agent for North American soccer players. |
