Washington Township High School Inducts 12 into Robert and Eileen Abbott Military Hall of Honor
For Immediate Release
May 30, 2025
The newest inductees into the Robert and Eileen Abbott Military Hall of Honor who were able to attend Thursday night’s ceremony pose for a photo at the entrance of the hall. They include (left to right) Stanley Maculewicz Jr., Kyle Galvan, Gianni Sacca, Andrew Colligan, and Raymond-Angelo Rapposelli.
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP - Washington Township High School inducted 12 new members into its Robert and Eileen Abbott Military Hall of Honor on Thursday evening, May 29, 2025. During a program led by WTHS Air Force Jr. ROTC Commander Lt. Col. Beth Ann Lumpkin, the newest inductees included:
- Andrew Colligan, U.S. Navy, Class of 1993
- Hagen Diaco, U.S. Air Force, Class of 2022
- Eric Evans, U.S. Army, Class of 2023 - Jordan Farr, U.S. Marine Corps, Class of 2021
- Kyle Galvan, U.S. Air Force, Class of 1984
- Stanley Maculewicz Jr., U.S. Navy, Class of 2008
- Zachary Marrero, U.S. Marine Corps, Class of 2018
- Raymond-Angelo Rapposelli, U.S. Navy, Class of 2014
- Romeo Rapposelli, U.S. Air Force, Class of 2021
- Gianni Sacca, U.S. Army, Class of 2020
- Michael Steffney, U.S. Coast Guard, Class of 2024
- Mark Wetzel, U.S. Air Force, Class of 1979
Following the presentation of the colors by members of the school’s AFJROTC unit, WTHS junior Haylie Strafella sang The Star-Spangled Banner, WTHS Executive Principal Ray Anderson gave opening remarks, and Lt. Col. Lumpkin introduced each of the new inductees, several of which were unable to attend as they are on active duty.
Next, Lt. Col. Lumpkin introduced keynote speaker Aaron Lemons, a retired U.S. Army captain who currently serves as a school counselor at WTHS. Lemons spoke highly of the honorees on the stage, as well as those supporting them in the auditorium seats.
“As I look around the room, I see more than just a gathering of friends and family. I see a room full of deep respect and gratitude,” he said. “Being a proud veteran is a core part of who I am. … Serving in the military isn’t just a job. It’s a commitment. A commitment to defend, to sacrifice, and stand up for others. Even when it’s hard. It means long nights, early mornings, and a sense of responsibility that never really leaves you.”
“To our inductees, I want to say thank you. Truly, you have made your school proud, your families proud, and your country proud. Your names will now live on in this Hall of Honor not just as a record of your service, but as a reminder to every student who walks these halls that greatness can come from right here. That honor, sacrifice, and strength can come from the students sitting next to you in class or your teammates on the field.”
“These are the moments that make us very proud,” Anderson said during his remarks. “We get to celebrate our great country. We get to celebrate those of you who are in the military who have done so much for our country and continue to do so much by giving back. … Having these moments to celebrate are truly very meaningful.”
After the ceremony, inductees and their families were escorted through the hallways to tour the Military Hall of Honor, see their plaques, and take photos.
The Washington Township High School Military Hall of Honor was established in the spring semester of 2004 as a way to honor graduates who chose to serve their country as members of the United States Military Services. Located in the 11/12 wing, Hall of Honor inductees are listed by year of induction and in the order in which they were added to the Hall of Honor. The plaques are positioned in numerical order when entering D-Hall from A-Hall. The Class of 2025 inductees brings the Hall’s total number of honorees to 208.
The Military Hall of Honor was renamed in honor of Bob and Eileen Abbot in 2023. Bob Abbott was a proud U.S. Army veteran and Washington Township Board of Education member who was inducted as an honorary member of the Hall of Honor in 2019. Eileen Abbott, also a longtime BOE member, joined her husband as a founding trustee for the Hall of Honor at its inception in 2004. Both were huge influences on the Hall of Honor, the AFJROTC program, and military and veteran programs in Washington Township and the region.
Retired U.S. Army Capt. Aaron Lemons, a school counselor at Washington Township High School, gives the keynote address.
WTHS Air Force Jr. ROTC Commander Lt. Col. Beth Ann Lumpkin welcomes guests to the ceremony.
WTHS junior Haylie Strafella sings The Star Spangled-Banner.
WTHS Executive Principal Ray Anderson (center) shakes hands with new inductee Kyle Galvan.
New inductee Raymond-Angelo Rapposelli has his photo taken under his plaque in the Military Hall of Honor.
- WTPS -
