Seven new members will be inducted into the Oceana High School Hall of Fame on Saturday, May 10, at 7 p.m. in the Oceana Middle School Auditorium. A dinner reception in the OMS cafeteria will precede the ceremonies, beginning at 5:30 p.m.

Those to be inducted include: Roger Leo Toler, class of 1957; Sherry Ann Shields Brown, class of 1958; JoAnn Cook Hall, class of 1959; Jerry T. Cook, class of 1962; Jim Cozort, class of 1965; Dennis D. Moore, class of 1980; and Teri Liane Cook Nichols, class of 1993.

Members of the selection committee are: Paul Ray Blankenship, Suzanne Clark, June Farren, Jim Hopkins, Sandy Lusk, Angie Cline Mollette, and Jean Lusk.

2008 Inductees

Roger Leo Toler, Class of 1957

Roger is the son of Acie and Virgie Toler of Lynco, both deceased. He is the second of seven children. His siblings, Joyce White, Wilma Cline, Retha Stewart, Susan Toler, Acie Toler and Teresa Toler all graduated from Oceana High School.

After graduating, Roger attended Marshall University, where he received his BS degree in English and Social Studies in 1961. He continued his education at Marshall and received his MS in Elementary Education in 1964. After moving to Tennessee, he did graduate work in Administration at the University of Tennessee.

Roger taught school for 42 years before retiring in 2001. Roger was employed with the Wyoming County Board of Education from 1959-1963. His experiences included a semester at Barker's Ridge in Herndon, where he taught 26 students, grades K-6, in the last of the one-room schools in Wyoming County. He continued four more years at Kopperston Elementary. In 1964, he gained employment with the Oak Ridge City Schools, in Oak Ridge, TN, located 20 minutes west of Knoxville; this system is ranked as the number one school system in Tennessee. Roger has taught various grade-levels in the elementary schools, but second is his grade of choice. In 1990, he left the classroom to become Principal of a 400-student, K-4 school.

Roger served as the Director of the Oak Ridge Summer School Program for 22 years. He was active in the Oak Ridge Education Association (OREA), and served as president for two consecutive terms. He has also been active in the Tennessee Education Association (TEA) and the National Education (NEA). He was selected for a teacher exchange program to Australia. In the summer of 1992, he worked in Obnisk, Russia, teaching English to Russian youth and adults. Roger has also been awarded state honors as a Career Level Three Educator.

In addition to his professional service, Roger is also a member of the Lions Club and the Masonic Lodge. He and his wife, Sue, serve as co-chairs for the Anderson County Alzheimer's Association.

Married to Glenice (Sue) Shields, a 1958 graduate of Oceana High School, Roger is the father of three children, Doris Toler, Roger Toler, and Kim Hooks, all of whom followed in their father's footsteps and became teachers. He is grandfather to four: twins Eva and Nelson Toler, and Reese and Raegan Hooks.

Sherry Ann (Shields) Brown, Class of 1958

Sherry is the daughter of Glen and Ouida Shields, both deceased. Sherry is part of a three generation contingent of OHS grads--her father Glen graduated from OHS in 1931 and her daughter Natalie is a 1991 graduate.

While at OHS, Sherry was a long-time member of the OHS Band and was a select member of the "Kool Kats" dance band, a popular musical group which played at dances, variety shows, and pep meetings.

After Sherry's graduation in 1958 she began working for Fred W. Lokant, a prominent Oceana attorney, and continued in that job until August of 1961 when she was hired as secretary for Oceana High School. Sherry continued in that position for 31 years—until June 1992—when she became secretary at the Wyoming County Career and Technical Center. She retired from that job in June 2002.

Sherry, in her 30 years at OHS, served as secretary and "gate-keeper" for six principals.

Sherry is married to Lawrence D. Brown, a 1956 graduate of Glen Rogers High School , and they are the parents of one daughter, Natalie who works in the dental office of Dr. Pete Short in Oceana. Lawrence and Sherry divide their retirement time between Oceana and their other home located in Pocahontas County. They attend the Oceana United Methodist Church.

Sherry commented, "I am so thankful for the rewarding years I was employed in the school system. There were sad times, many happy and a few wild times to remember."

JoAnn (Cook) Hall, Class of 1959

JoAnn is the daughter of the late Dennis Creed and Lala Cook, who were long-time residents of Oceana. In high school, JoAnn was an honor student and an active member of the Student Council, National Honor Society and the yearbook staff.

After graduation, JoAnn attended Marshall University, where she received a B.A. in English and Library Science in 1963. In 1969, she received a M.A. in English Education at Marshall and in 1980, a Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instruction Supervision from Virginia Tech.

She worked for the Kanawha County Board of Education as a teacher and administrator from 1963 to 1981. In 1981, she began her work with the West Virginia Graduate College, serving as Associate Professor, Ed Administration, Professor, Educational Leadership and Assistant Dean of Education, Human Services and Humanities. After retiring in 1996 from Marshall University Graduate College, she has been self employed as education consultant and trainer for the WV Adult Education Program and various county school systems. At present, she is teaching internet classes for Marshall University.

JoAnn has served as vice president and member of the board of directors, West Virginia Partners of the Americas, an organization to facilitate understanding between North and South American states through cultural exchanges. She has served as host for medical professionals, visual artists, educators and other visitors from West Virginia's sister state, Espirito Santo, Brazil. She has traveled to Brazil several times to help establish relationships with higher education institutions.

JoAnn has been an invited participant at the Goals 2000 Leadership Conference, Partners of the Americas, San Paulo, Brazil and of the Leadership Seminar Series, Chamber of Commerce, Charleston, West Virginia. She was a certified trainer for "Increasing Human Effectiveness," Edge Learning Institute, Tempe, Arizona and has been an invited presenter for various conferences and workshops.

JoAnn has been active in the Phi Delta Kappa education honorary and is a charter lifetime member of the Oceana High School Alumni Association. She also continues as a strong participant in the planning of class reunions for the OHS Class of 1959.

JoAnn states, "The education I received at OHS provided me with a strong foundation and gave me the confidence to pursue my personal goals. The teachers and classmates I was fortunate to know there have remained lifelong friends."

Jerry T. Cook, Class of 1962

Jerry is the son of Auda Mae Cook of Oceana and the late James Gilbert Cook. In high school, Jerry was active in intramural basketball, variety shows and voted "Best All-Around." After graduating from OHS, he enrolled at Concord College and received a B.S. in Education in 1968.

Jerry began his teaching career in 1967 for the Wyoming County Board of Education at Road Branch Grade School. After teaching that year, he became a full-time minister at the Wharton Missionary Baptist Church at Wharton. Later, moving to Mineral Wells, he was pastor of the Mt. Zion Baptist Church. He graduated from West Virginia College of Graduate Studies in August 1988 with a masters in counseling.

While in the Parkersburg area, Jerry took two units of clinical pastoral education at St. Joseph Hospital. He was one of several ministers who worked with the Camden Clark Hospital to establish a chaplaincy program in which he received a certificate of recognition. Jerry loves to work with children, so he took a course in ventriloquism at Parkersburg Community College, which he sometimes uses in his ministry. He has served as Dean of School of Christian Studies and taught classes for the West Virginia Baptist Convention.

Upon returning to Oceana in 1982, he was hired by the Wyoming County Board of Education as a teacher at Baileysville Grade School. He has also served as an assistant principal. Jerry was chosen in 2007 as the Baileysville Grade School Teacher of the Year. He retired from teaching in 2007 after 26 years of service.

Jerry is currently serving as secretary/treasurer for the Oceana Ministerial Association, pastor of the Oceana First Baptist Church and is presently acting recorder for the town of Oceana. He works at Evans and Evans Funeral Home in Oceana and as a basketball official for Black Diamond. He is a member of the Oceana High School Alumni Association.

Jerry has a daughter, Elizabeth Karen Cook Growe (Mike), and spends his spare time enjoying his two grandchildren, Hannah and Mike.

Jim Cozort, Class of 1965

Jim is the son of the late Vaughn and Rachel Cozort, lifelong Oceana residents.

Jim enrolled at Marshall University after high school, but transferred to Concord College where he graduated in 1970 with a B.S. in social studies education. While at Concord, he was inducted into Kappa Delta Pi, a national education honorary, and Blue Key, an honorary society for men. He served on the Dean's Advisory Council in student government and was elected to Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities. He later returned to Marshall and obtained an M.S. degree in geography in 1976. He has since furthered his studies to 60 hours beyond his master's degree.

Jim began his teaching career at Oceana Middle School, first teaching social studies, then changing to science. His assignments have included every class offered at OMS. He has taught grades four through eight, but currently teaches seventh and eighth grade. In addition to his teaching duties, Cozort is the "unofficial" assistant principal for the school. He is also coordinator of the student assistance team, chairman of the Local School Improvement Council, and president of the school's faculty senate.

The 38-year teaching veteran enjoys photography and likes to travel with his wife in his spare time. However, he spends much of his free time teaching firearm classes. He really enjoys shooting. He has taught classes in firearms safety for adults in Oceana, Beckley and at the Logan campus of Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College. He is executive officer and director of the Beckley Gun Club and has served as a volunteer instructor and training counselor for several firearms safety courses and for the crime prevention program Refuse to be a Victim. He also is certified as a Hunters Safety Instructor and has helped with teaching that course at his school.

Jim was a member of the Oceana Lions Club and Pineville Lions Club, and a currently is a member of the Oceana High School Alumni Association.

He is married to Patricia Abshire Cozort who served as a teacher at Oceana Middle School for many years.

Dennis D. Moore, Class of 1980

Dennis is the son of Dale and Ernie Moore of Phoenix, AZ. At OHS, Dennis was active in athletics.

After leaving Oceana High School, he graduated in 1984 from the University of Mississippi, earning a BA in psychology. He also attained a degree in Masters Aviation Management in 1989 from Embry Riddle Aero University.

Dennis served in the US Air Force, and the MS Air National Guard, USAFR. He was an instructor pilot for the USAF.

Dennis is currently employed by Delta Air Lines as a B-777 First Officer. He is active in his community, serving as the coach for the youth football and basketball program. He also participates in the Arnold Air Society, AFROTC, and Air Line Pilots Association and is serving as the AFROTC and Air Force Academy representative for Westside High and for schools in Mingo and Logan Counties.

Dennis has received the Distinguished Graduate AFROTC medal, Chancellor's Award and Best Instructor Pilot CAFB-MS for the years of 1995 and 1996. He has received many medals and ribbons during his military career. Among his many military awards are the Aerial Achievement Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Air Force Longevity Service Ribbon, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, Air Force Training Ribbon, Kuwait Liberation Medals (Saudi Arabia), and Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait).

He and his wife Cheryl are the parents of Tyler, Chase, Nathan and Matthew.

Teri Liane (Cook) Nichols, Class of 1993

Teri is the daughter of Tommy and Wanda Toler Cook of Oceana. Her mother was a long-time teacher at Oceana Middle and Oceana High.

While at OHS, Teri was very active in school affairs, having been a member of the varsity cheerleading squad, a member of the homecoming court in her senior year, and graduated valedictorian of her class.

After graduation from OHS, Teri entered West Virginia University. She graduated in 1996 summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology. She then entered the West Virginia University School of Medicine, where she graduated in May 2000 with honors earning a Doctorate of Medicine degree. Teri did her residency at the Charleston Area Medical Center, graduating from the Internal Medicine and Pediatrics Program in 2004.

She spent time working at the Cabin Creek Health Center in Cabin Creek, before moving to her current position at the Marietta Health Care Physicians, Incorporated, in Belpre, Ohio.

Teri is a member of the American College of Physicians and the American Academy of Pediatrics. Among Teri's many awards and citations are Board Certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine, Board Certified by the American Board of Pediatrics, McGraw Hill Book Award for Outstanding Achievement in Medicine, WVU Foundation Outstanding Senior Award, WVU Eberly College of Arts and Sciences Scholar and Certificate of Achievement, and Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society.

Teri is married to Dr. Marcus Lee Nichols, D.O. and they have one son Preston, who is 16 months old.