Monday, September 21st, 2026

St. Marys HOF to induct eight new members

From staff reports

The St. Marys Memorial High School Alumni Foundation will induct eight new members into its Hall of Fame this year, celebrating the military achievements of four of its alumni, the career of a NASA engineer, a senior executive who led large multinational food companies, a former Band Director, and a track and basketball standout.

The induction ceremony will take place at a dinner ceremony and on field presentation on Sept. 25 before the Rider football game.

Military Service to Country

Nicole Lauth Keating

Nicole Lauth graduated from MHS in 2001 and immediately enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. She served on eight deployments to Jordan, Qatar, Iraq, Afghanistan (twice), Djibouti, Louisiana (Hurricane Katrina), and Ramstein, Germany before retiring in 2025.

During her 24-year career, she rose from the rank of enlisted Airman to a commissioned officer as a Major. She earned her Bachelor and Master's degrees in service and is currently completing her Doctorate degree in Nursing Practice specializing in Veteran and Military Healthcare Leadership. She married Army Captain, Bill Keating, in 2012, and they are the parents of three children.

She is the first woman to be inducted into the Alumni Foundation's Military Hall of Fame.

1st Lt. Ralph W. Dennings

Ralph Dennings graduated from MHS in 1940 and served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. He was the Bombardier on a 10-man crew on B-24 Liberator planes where he flew 35 combat missions over enemy-occupied Europe in 1944. Shortly before leaving for England, he married his high school sweetheart, Dorothy Valentine.

He was honorably discharged and returned to St. Marys and his new bride. They were married for 75 years.

Staff Sergeant Norbert A. Ricker

Norbert Ricker attended St. Marys City Schools as part of the Class of 1961 but decided to leave school before graduation. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps where he served for six years and earned his GED in service.

Norb was awarded the Purple Heart Medal along with the National Defense Service Medal, the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal and the Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device.

Lt. Colonel (retired) David N. Simms, PhD

David Simms graduated from MHS in 1995 and The Ohio State University in 2000 where he participated in the ROTC program. He was commissioned as a 2nd Lt. and completed the Armor Basic Course at Ft. Knox, Kentucky.

After 23 years of service, he retired in October 2020. Shortly after that, he was awarded a Doctor of Philosophy in Global Leadership and Change from Tiffin University.

Academic / Professional Achievement

Stephen W. Camick

Stephen W. Camick. Camick graduated from Memorial High School in 1982, received a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Ohio Northern University in 1986, and was hired to work at Kennedy Space Center in 1987.

Over his 39-year career, Steve is known for innovative problem-solving and leadership in engineering teams and for advocating for STEM education and mentorship for aspiring engineers. He has witnessed numerous rocket launches, been inside four Space Shuttles, and met many astronauts and VIPS visiting the Kennedy Space Center. He continues today working with the Artemis team to get man back to the moon.

B. Gregory Stroh

B. Greg Stroh is a 1966 MHS alumni who grew up in St. Marys and was active in football, track and M Club at MHS. He attended The Ohio State University, graduating in 1970, and began his 20-plus year career at Kraft, Inc.

Stroh is known for his collaborative leadership style and strong operational discipline. He is widely respected for building high-performing teams and guiding organizations through meaningful change. He also served on the Board of Directors for the Paperboard Packaging Council and the National Bakery Supplies Association. During his career, he completed two executive management programs at Harvard University.

Service to St. Marys City Schools

Dane Newlove

Former MHS Band Director, Dane Newlove, will be inducted into the St. Marys Memorial High School Alumni Foundation's Hall of Fame for Service to St. Marys City Schools.

Dane served as the Band Director from 1986-2014, transforming the band in many ways. He added freshmen members to the marching band to expand its size, re-instituted the Drum Major program, began the tradition of holding the "Sounds of SMABB" concert, expanded the role of percussion with total bass drums and quad toms, brought the St. Marys All Brass Band to the Buckeye Band Invitational, and moved the band to play more popular, contemporary music with themed shows.

Athletic Achievement

Connie Hamberg Allen

Connie Hamberg was a 5-foot 11-inch forward during her playing days at Memorial High School in the early 1990s.

She led the Lady Riders to their first-ever WBL Championship in 1993, back-to-back Sectional titles, and an appearance in the regional final 8 tournament.

She is the fourth highest scorer in Lady Rider history with 1,348 points, third in career free throws, fourth in career rebounds with 649, and fifth in career steals with 245. She was inducted into the MHS Lady Riders Basketball Hall of Fame in 2018.

She taught and coached varsity girls basketball at Colerain High School in Cincinnati and Johnstown High School in Columbus, and coached the Seigel Middle School girls softball team to an undefeated season and the Tennessee State AA Championship in 2026.

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