Earlier this month, the Fredonia Central School District held its most recent Wall of Honor induction, naming Thomas Barresi and Leonard “Lenny” Vento to the Wall of Honor. The Wall of Honor was created in 2014 in order to recognize past employees or volunteers who left a lasting impression on the district.

Barresi, the inductee for 2020, served the district for 18 years from 1963 to 1981 as director of elementary education, and was instrumental in centralizing the district and opening the elementary school on the main campus. He earned a Purple Heart and Bronze Star Medal in the U.S. Army, and was a Rotarian and 25-year member of the Chamber of Commerce. Barresi died in 2009 and is survived by his wife, Marilyn.

Vento is the inductee for 2022, and served the district from 1969 to 2007, where he began as a grade seven to 12 math teacher. Vento also served as a class adviser, Wheelock’s principal, district instructional coordinator, and Board of Education member from 2003 to 2007 following his retirement. He also started Fredonia’s Pre-K program, and was actively involved in the Vision 2000 construction project. Vento died in 2019 and is survived by his wife, Margo.

Both Vento and Barresi were honored prior to Fredonia’s board meeting with a ceremony in the school’s auditorium, followed by their pictures being added to the Wall of Honor, with their family members there to help celebrate them.