People

Cory-Rawson Local Schools will induct the inaugural class of its Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame on Friday, February 9, 2024. The purpose of the district’s Hall of Fame is to recognize graduates of Cory-Rawson, Mount Cory, or Rawson High Schools whose achievements have impacted the region, state, nation, and world. The three 2024 inductees include Melana A. Maxie (Class of 1983), Jason E. Searfoss (Class of 1990), and Tara C. Welch Smith (Class of 1994). 

The induction events include an assembly introducing the inductees to the high school students and staff and a presentation during halftime of the high school varsity basketball game that evening. The generosity of various donors made the Hall of Fame possible. 

Melana A. Maxie graduated from Purdue University in 1987 with a B.S. in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering. Her career in the aerospace defense industry focused on structural analysis, store certification, and weapons integration on the F-16 and F-35 aircrafts. When Melana retired in 2017 she was the F-35 Weapons Integration and Certification Manager, where she ensured all required data was gathered and submitted to the U.S. Government to support certification that all weapons could be safely loaded, carried, and employed on all three variants of the F-35.