RACINE — The Southern Local School District has established a “Southern Local School District Hall of Fame” — an entity to recognize graduates, employees and major contributors who have distinguished themselves at a high level in the areas of scholarship, athletics, career, community service and/or society as a whole.

The Southern Local Board of Education approved this distinction at its initial business meeting earlier this past week on January 9, 2013.

Superintendent Tony Deem stated, “This is not just an athletic Hall of Fame, it is a Hall of Fame for the entire realm of everything that happens good at Southern Local — the positive that an individual has had on the district, and the positive that the district has had on the individual.

“This includes, doctors, lawyers, teachers, and anyone else who has attained success and influenced others. It may very well include those involved in athletics, but certainly is not limited to that.”

The submission of a name for consideration will be made in one of six categories — Medicine and Science, Business and Professional, Arts and Entertainment, Humanitarian and Service, Athletics and Lifetime Recognition.

“Selected Hall of Fame members will demonstrate the positive impact to the schools of Southern Local and on the positive impact these nominees have had on individuals from the Southern community,” explained SHS Principal Daniel Otto. “Southern has had a rich tradition of successful academics and successful athletics. We hope the Hall of Fame helps us continue and preserve this tradition.”

Nomination criteria, nomination forms and nomination instructions can be picked up at the high school office or printed out from the Southern Local website at http://www.southernlocalmeigs.org.

The first Hall of Fame class will feature five inductees, three the second year, and two-each maximum over the following years. The first induction ceremony will be February 15, 2013, at the Southern-Eastern boys’ varsity basketball game. Nomination forms must be submitted by January 30 to the high school office.