Every school has graduates who go on to accomplish remarkable things.

What makes Finneytown different is how many of them never stop coming back.

Some return as coaches. Some mentor students. Some fund scholarships. Others carry the lessons they learned here into courtrooms, classrooms, laboratories, neighborhoods, and boardrooms around the world. Their careers may have taken them far from Fontainebleau, but Finneytown has never been far from them.

That is the heart of the Finneytown Hall of Fame.

The Hall of Fame exists to recognize alumni, teams, and individuals whose lives reflect the very best of what it means to be a Wildcat. Their stories celebrate excellence, perseverance, service, leadership, and the lasting impact of a community that believes every generation has a responsibility to help the next.

This year's class represents different journeys. A global law firm CEO. A nationally recognized aerospace leader. A public servant and coach whose life has been devoted to others. A state championship team whose influence extends far beyond one unforgettable season.

Their stories are different.

The values that shaped them are remarkably similar.

Steve Immelt, Class of 1970

Some people leave Finneytown and take it with them everywhere they go.

Steve Immelt was captain of the football team, president of Student Council, class historian, and a Buckeye Boys State delegate. More than fifty years later, he still points to his league championship football team as the model of what great teams look like, built on trust, respect, and shared purpose.

Those lessons carried him from Finneytown to Yale, the University of Maryland School of Law, and ultimately to the role of global CEO of Hogan Lovells, one of the world's largest law firms. Along the way, he served as a federal prosecutor, taught law, led major nonprofit organizations, and dedicated countless hours to pro bono service.

Ask Steve what Finneytown gave him, and he doesn't talk about titles. He talks about respect for others, intellectual curiosity, and the value of community. Those principles shaped a remarkable career and continue to reflect the best of Finneytown.

Dr. Mary Lynne Dittmar, Class of 1975

Mary Lynne Dittmar arrived at Finneytown as a shy student searching for where she belonged. What she found were teachers who recognized her potential and encouraged her curiosity.

Inspired by mentors who nurtured her interests in science, writing, music, and history, she built a career that quite literally reached space. After earning her doctorate at the University of Cincinnati, Dr. Dittmar became a nationally respected leader in aerospace, helping shape International Space Station operations, advising NASA, Congress, and the White House, and advancing America's future in space exploration.

Despite a career filled with extraordinary achievements, she still proudly signs her messages the same way: "I'm honored to say I'm a FHS graduate. Go Wildcats!" Her story is a testament to the lasting impact teachers can have on a student's life.

Darryn G. Chenault, Class of 1991

Darryn Chenault has spent his life coming back to Finneytown.

As a student, he excelled in football and baseball, earning All CHL and All City honors while helping lead the only Finneytown football team to defeat Wyoming. Today, after more than twenty five years in public safety, he continues serving others as Community Engagement Officer for the University of Cincinnati.

His impact extends far beyond his profession. Darryn has coached football for more than three decades, led Finneytown's varsity program, co-founded nonprofits supporting families battling cancer, and invested in young people through leadership and scholarship programs.

After surviving kidney failure and receiving a transplant from his nephew, Darryn embraced a simple philosophy: when you've been blessed, you have a responsibility to bless someone else. His life is a reflection of service, resilience, and giving back.

The 1976 State Champion Soccer Team

The 1976 Wildcats didn't just win a state championship. They built a legacy that has lasted nearly fifty years.

Their title run was defined by teamwork. In the championship match, defenders covered for one another, the goalkeeper made fourteen saves, and every player understood that success belonged to the team, not the individual. Even after scoring twice in the state final, Mike Stevens credited the defense.

Coached by Bob Muro and built upon the youth soccer foundation established by Tom Stevens, the team became part of something much bigger than one remarkable season.

The players carried those lessons into successful careers as business leaders, attorneys, and community builders, while continuing to support Finneytown through scholarships, coaching, and service. Their story reminds us that the greatest victories are measured not only by championships, but by the lives shaped long after the final whistle.

A Legacy Worth Celebrating

The Finneytown Hall of Fame is about more than honoring extraordinary accomplishments. It is about recognizing the people who remind us what Finneytown has always stood for:

Well rounded excellence.

An underdog spirit.

A community that lasts.

A legacy that lives on.

The Hall of Fame Class of 2026 reflects every one of those values. Their stories remind us that success is measured not only by what we achieve, but by how we invest in others, how we stay connected, and how we continue building opportunities for those who come after us.

On Saturday, September 26, the Finneytown Alumni Network will proudly induct Steve Immelt, Dr. Mary Lynne Dittmar, Darryn G. Chenault, and the 1976 State Champion Soccer Team into the Finneytown Hall of Fame during the Legacy Celebration at The Grove.

We hope you'll join us for an evening of stories, celebration, and community as we honor a class whose impact continues to shape Finneytown today.

Reserve your tickets today:

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Together, we'll celebrate the people who built this community and help build what comes next.