MySaline is a proud sponsor of the 2024 Bauxite Hall of Fame ceremony. There are four honorees to be placed on the Wall of Honor, as well as 6 athletes and one team to be inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame. See below for the inductee photos and biographies:
Come to the banquet November 2nd, 2024 at the Bauxite Community Center. The reception starts at 5:00 p.m. and the banquet is at 6:00 p.m. Ticket prices are $20 for adults, $10 for children ages 6-12, and free for ages 5 and under. For more information, see the Bauxite Hall of Fame Facebook page.
Wall of Honor:
Rev. George P. Thompson, Jr. – Meritorious Service
Rev. George P. Thompson, Jr. was born on October 22, 1931. He demonstrated his commitment to service early in life by leaving high school to join the United States Air Force. During his distinguished military career, George earned several commendations, including the National Defense Service Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, and the Occupation Medal Germany… READ MORE – https://www.mysaline.com/bauxite-hof-2024-rev-george-p-thompson-jr/
J.T. Peterson – Exemplary Service
J.T. Peterson was born on September 18th, 1920, and grew up on Center Street in the original mining town of Bauxite. During this time his father worked for Alcoa. He attended Bauxite Schools but dropped out in the 9th grade. Our own Hall of Fame Inductee Harry McDermott encouraged J.T. to go to Monroe, Louisiana to train as a boxer. J.T. didn’t really care for the boxing school, so after a year he returned home to Bauxite where he… READ MORE – https://www.mysaline.com/bauxite-hof-2024-jt-peterson/
Joe E. DuVall, Jr. – Meritorious Service
Joe E. DuVall, Jr. was born on August 30, 1945, in Malvern, Arkansas. He grew up in Tull, Arkansas. He started his education at the Tull elementary school after the 1949 consolidation of the Tull Public School with the Bauxite Public School system. He was a 1963 graduate of Bauxite High School and attended the University of Arkansas. He spent his career as a computer programmer… READ MORE – https://www.mysaline.com/bauxite-hof-2024-joe-e-duvall-jr/
Donnie Joe Orender – Distinguished Alumni
Donnie Joe Orender was born in Humphrey, Arkansas on October 10, 1938. Don was the fourth of eight children born to Clyde and Jewel Orender. In 1943 the Orender family moved to Bauxite, AR and Don began the first grade. Don remained in the Bauxite school system until he graduated in 1956. During his time at Bauxite, he played right guard for… READ MORE – https://www.mysaline.com/bauxite-hof-2024-donnie-joe-orender/
Sports Hall of Fame:
Don Hicks
Don Hicks, son of Donald Hicks Sr. and Sherry Allred Hicks, was born on March 23rd, 1956, in Los Angeles, California. Don, his sister Lorri and parents moved to Tull in 1965 when he began attending school at Pine Haven, graduating from Bauxite High School in 1974. He began his athletic career playing football and running track in the seventh grade. Although he was an exceptional football player it was track where he made his mark as a Miner… READ MORE – https://www.mysaline.com/bauxite-hall-of-fame-2024-don-hicks/
Don Huskey
Don Huskey graduated from Bauxite High School in 1978. Before his time at Bauxite, Don played YMCA football in Little Rock and later played 7th grade football at Sweet Home, then 8th & 9th grade at Fuller Jr High. He came to Bauxite in the late Fall of 1974. As a 9th grader and since the Jr. High season was over, Coach Jim Massarelli liked him enough to… READ MORE – https://www.mysaline.com/bauxite-hall-of-fame-2024-don-husky/
Mary “Gusaline” Shiflett Thompson
Mary “Gusaline” Shiflett, affectionately known as “Gusaline,” was born on November 18, 1930. She was a proud graduate of Bauxite High School, class of 1948. During her time at Bauxite, she distinguished herself both academically and athletically. As the Salutatorian of her graduating class, she exemplified academic excellence. Additionally, her leadership and athletic talent shone brightly as a member of the… READ MORE – https://www.mysaline.com/bauxite-hof-2024-mary-gusaline-shiflett-thompson/
Blake Childress
Blake Childress was Born Sept. 16, 1991, to parents Randy and Colleen Childress. He attended Pine Haven Elementary and continued through his senior year, graduating from Bauxite High School in 2011. Blake started playing Mini Miner Football in the 3rd grade because the 4th grade team was short on numbers. His first touch of the football came against … READ MORE – https://www.mysaline.com/bauxite-hof-2024-blake-childress/
Christy Bloomquist Ward
Christy Bloomquist Ward attended Bauxite Schools starting in kindergarten in 1987 and graduating high school in 2000. While at Pine Haven elementary she was a member of the Mini Miners basketball and cheerleading teams. She also… READ MORE – https://www.mysaline.com/bauxite-hof-2024-christy-bloomquist-ward/
Alvin Jones
Coach Jones served as Head Football Coach and Athletic Director at Bauxite from 19841989. His coaching career was short but memorable. Coach Jones’s teams won conference championships in 1986, 1987, 1988, and 1989. READ MORE – https://www.mysaline.com/bauxite-hof-2024-alvin-jones/
1986 Bauxite Miner Football Team
All the pieces fell in place for the 1986 Miners. On a team of 23, there were 12 seniors and over half of those seniors had played together since the fourth grade. This group was close, comfortable, and ready to prove themselves… READ MORE – https://www.mysaline.com/bauxite-hof-2024-1986-football-team/
Browse MySaline’s list of events in Saline County at www.mysaline.com/events.
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