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Introductions will take place at approximately 7:30
p.m. – during the half-time period of the Varsity game.
The 201 inductees are Douglas Blair, Second Lieutenant Tyler Ginger,
Karen (Miller) Graber, Major Nathaniel Eaton, and the 2009 Olympia
High School Baseball Team
 Douglas
Blair
Friend
Outstanding Contribution
The contributions of Mr. Blair started in 1965, when he took a
position in the Atlanta School District. In 1966, Douglas was
instrumental in the formation of the Olympia School District. For
the next five years, Mr. Blair spent his time rallying supporters,
convincing doubters, fighting naysayers, and in and out of the
Supreme Court so that Olympia could come to realization.
Douglas worked closely with the State Board of Education and
Illinois State University developing curriculum, courses, and
programming that would be innovative, creative, and of higher
quality than the wealthiest of city schools.
As the first Superintendent of Olympia School District, he was the
driving force behind the development of Olympia High School, which
opened its doors in August 1972. The consolidation of eight small
communities gave students an opportunity to attend a larger high
school. Olympia High School then had the resources to expose
students to a college prep curriculum for the first time in history.
This also made it possible to offer students a greater variety of
sports, clubs, and activities. For the first time Olympia School
District had a high school football team, wrestling team, swim team,
and multiple levels of baseball and basketball.
The consolidation also benefited extra-curricular activities at the
elementary and middle school levels. Students now had the
opportunity to participate in competitive basketball, baseball, and
track at the middle school level. Elementary students could compete
in music contests, science fairs, literary festivals, and other
special programs. Douglas dedicated his life to education with over
55 years of service and he made an everlasting impact on students in
the Olympia School District.
 Second
Lieutenant Tyler Ginger
Class of 2013
Distinguished Individual
Tyler Ginger is a 2013 graduate of Olympia High School.
While attending Olympia, Tyler participated in a variety of
activities. Some of Tyler’s most notable accomplishments occurred at
the IHSA State Track meet: 2011- 2nd place finish in 1A Pole Vault;
2012- 2nd place finish in 2A Pole Vault, qualifier in 110m High
Hurdles and 4x200m Relay; 2013- State Champion in 2A Pole Vault and
3rd place finish in 110m High Hurdles.
He also earned Corn Belt All-Conference/ All-Academic Honors as well
as seven Corn Belt Conference Titles in four different Track & Field
events. Tyler is a school record holder in the Pole Vault and 110m
High Hurdles.
After Tyler graduated at the top of his class, he continued his
success in Pole Vault at the United States Air Force Academy. In
2014, he earned 6th place and, in 2015, he placed 3rd in Pole Vault
at the Mountain West Indoor Conference Championship.
Tyler graduated from the United States Air Force Academy in 2017 and
he is currently a Financial Management Officer in the United States
Air Force.
 Karen
(Miller) Graber
Class of 1982
Distinguished Individual
A 1982 graduate of Olympia High School, Karen (Miller) Graber was
involved in numerous activities. She was a member of Speech Team
(Mark Swartz Speech Award; State Finalist), Reader’s Theatre (All
District Cast & All Sectional Cast 1981 & 1982; State 1981),
Madrigals, Swing Choir, Student Bank Board, Showcase, Musicals (1982
Lead- Hello Dolly), Student Council, Pep Club (President 1982),
Speech & Drama Club (President 1982), Spanish Club, Chorus
(President 1982), Students Helping Exceptional Students (President
1981 & 1982), and AFS Club.
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After high school, Karen attended Illinois State
University and received her Bachelors of Art degree in 1986; she
earned her Masters Degree in 1993.
She has dedicated her life to the Olympia School District and she
has been highly involved in various organizations. She has been a
Featured Speaker at Illinois ASCD Pre-K/Kindergarten Conference (11
years), Ten Year National Presenter for B.E.R., Head Teacher at
Olympia West Elementary, SILT Member, K-12 Council, Steering
Committee (8 years), Olympia West PTO (officer), Volleyball Coach
(McLean/Waynesville-7 years), Speech Team Coach (3 years), and
Madrigals Officer. Karen has also been awarded with the IASCD
Diamond Jubilee Outstanding Educational Leader Award, Outstanding
Service to Children Award, and she was Nominated for Disney Teacher
of the Year.
During Karen’s time as a student at Olympia High School and as a
teacher at Olympia West Elementary, she made an everlasting
impression on the Olympia School District and she impacted many
Olympia graduates along the way.
 Major
Nathaniel Eaton
Class of 2002
Distinguished Graduate
A 2002 graduate of Olympia High School, Nathaniel Eaton was involved
in several activities. He was a member of the Boys’ Swim Team,
Baseball Team (2002 State Championship), Student Council (4-year
member, President-Senior Year), National Honor Society, FFA,
Madrigals, and Executive Board (President-senior year).
Nate went on to attend the United States Air Force Academy and
earned a Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences, graduating in 2006 as
2nd Lieutenant. He attended pilot training at Vance AFB, OK and Fort
Rucker, AL. Following Undergraduate Pilot Training, Major Eaton
attended MV-22A training at MCAS New River, NC followed by CV-22B
(Osprey) training at Kirtland AFB, NM. Upon completion of CV-22B
training, he was assigned to fly the CV-22B with the 8th SOS at
Hurlburt Field, FL. Major Eaton is a senior pilot with over 1400
flight hours and he has been deployed in support of numerous
operations, including Enduring Freedom and Inherent Resolve.
Nate is currently serving as a CV-22B Flight Lead, Evaluator Pilot
and 1 SOW Liaison Officer to Naval Special Warfare Development Group
Dam Neck, VA. He supports the 1st Special Operations Wing mission of
supporting USSOCOM. Major Eaton has been awarded the Air Medal with
2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Aerial Achievement Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster,
Air Force Commendation Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, and Air Force
Achievement Medal.
2009 Baseball Team
To repeat as champions in any sport is a feat that requires immense
talent, ability, commitment and sometimes a little luck. The 2009
Varsity Baseball Team had just the right combination to duplicate
their 2008 IHSA State Baseball Championship.
The Spartans had some hard fought battles during the regular season
and on the road to the State Finals. Their journey to State began
with a 4-1 win over Maroa-Forsyth in the Regional Championship. The
Spartans easily defeated Paris 10-0 for Sectional Semi-Finals and
Teutopolis 13-2 in the Sectional Championship. With a 4-3 score,
Olympia overpowered Pleasant Plains in the Super Sectionals, which
advanced them to the State tournament. With an 11-0 win over Watseka
in the State Semi-Final, the Spartans headed to the State
Championship game for the second year in a row.
These young men finished their season with a record of 30-6 overall,
beating Edwardsville Metro East Lutheran in the championship game
8-1.
Their determination and perseverance took over when it came time to
advance, and eventually they achieved back-to-back IHSA State
Baseball Championships.
Congratulations to all this year’s Hall of Fame recipients.
[Kim Logsdon]
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