XENIA — The Xenia Community Schools Foundation recently announced the 2023 Hall of Honor class.

Four new members will be honored this year: Tamara Bartley, Pastor Greg Delaney, Tom Kelley Jr., and Kenneth Riggsby.

Bartley, a member of the XCS Board of Education, is a 1990 graduate of Xenia Community Schools, having attended Cox Elementary, Warner Junior High and Xenia High School. She graduated from Wright State University in 1994, with a BS in education. She is currently in her 28th year of teaching in Fairborn City Schools, 20 of which have been in first grade inclusion classes for children with disabilities. Bartley has volunteered extensively on many committees and curriculum initiatives in the Fairborn City Schools.

She is part of a multi-generational Xenia family with a history of service in education and community and has volunteered many hours with the Xenia High School football, wresting and lacrosse programs, including fundraising, and served as as Touchdown Club president for six years. Through her efforts, the club attained a nonprofit organization status.

Bartley’s father, William Spahr, a 25-five year member of the XCS Board of Education, died in 2018. Bartley applied and was chosen to fill the remaining year of his term and went on to run and win a four-year term.

Delaney, a recovery and spiritual leader, graduated from Xenia schools in 1983, having attended Tecumseh Elementary, Central Middle School and Xenia High School. He is a graduate of Wright State University with a bachelor’s degree in marketing and sales.

Delaney excelled in the business world in information technology sales on an international level during the early part of his career. He began to suffer from Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) and spent decades battling with the disorder, entering recovery in 2008. Delaney attended and then led a recovery group at A House of Prayer (AHOP) which led to him being ordained into ministry in 2009.

Delaney now uses his talent to help others with substance abuse disorders or mental illness. He is an advocate, a networker, author, speaker, educator and is dedicated to working with like-minded individuals to create opportunities for people in the faith-based arena. He has assisted with startup and influence in organizations including Freedom Church-A House of Prayer, Jeremiah Tree, Jeremiah Tree Recovery Living, Bridges of Hope, HerStory House, Safe-Harbor House, R.E.A.C.H. For Tomorrow and GOODLIFE at the Cleft.

Delaney serves on the RecoveryOhio Advisory Council. The council is working towards creating a system to “make treatment available to Ohioans in need, provide support for those in recovery and their families, offer direction for the state’s prevention and education efforts, and work with local law enforcement to provide resources to fight illicit drugs at the source.”

Kelley, a public servant, and United Way leader, is a graduate of Xenia schools in the class of 1976. He completed his undergraduate degree at Central State University and has continued to make Ohio his home. For the past 30 years, he’s served in a variety of roles with continuous leadership experiences and professional achievements in Montgomery County. He has worked in the Office of Management and Budget, Family and Children First, Job and Family Services, and Montgomery County’s Human Services Department.

Effective September 2022, Kelly was selected to lead the United Way of Greater Dayton Area as its president and chief Executive Officer. The United Way annually touches more than 350,000 lives in Greene, Montgomery, and Preble counties.

Riggsby, Xenia fire chief, is a 1979 graduate of Xenia High School. Riggsby started his career at the Xenia Township Fire Department. After two years of being a volunteer firefighter, he began his tenure with the Xenia Fire Division. He has held the positions of firefighter/paramedic, lieutenant, captain, and deputy fire chief prior to being appointed chief in September 2011.

In addition to his duties as chief , he is a systems administrator for the records management system and computer aided dispatch for Greene County. He has been trained in the management of the system that is utilized and conducts fire training for dispatchers along with maintaining response areas and trucks in CAD (computer aided dispatch). Riggsby has also completed numerous courses at the National Fire Academy.

In 1998, Riggsby was named as the No. 1 firefighter in the Best of Xenia series conducted by the Xenia Daily Gazette and has received numerous commendations during his career.

The Xenia Community Schools Foundation is dedicated to enriching the academic pursuits of all students, faculty, and staff within the Xenia Community Schools. The Foundation has provided grants for classroom enrichment programs and scholarships from donations and investment income of the Foundation for more than 30 years.

The 25th Annual Hall of Honor Dinner and Induction Ceremony is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Saturday, April 22 at Tecumseh Elementary School. The dinner will be preceded by the Ninth Annual Silent Auction for Grants beginning at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $40 each and are available at the Xenia Area Chamber of Commerce, 334 W. Market Street. For more information, call 937-372-3591.