Avonworth opens "Hall of Distinction"

The Avonworth School District has announced the inaugural class for the Avonworth Hall of Distinction. The purpose of the Avonworth Hall of Distinction is to recognize Avonworth High School alumni, community members, and employees of the Avonworth School District who have made outstanding accomplishments and/or achievements in their careers or in service to the school district community. The inaugural class will include five individuals who were selected from a total of 30 candidates: James Knox (deceased), John Lenzner, Charles Lenzner, Dr. Bruno Raso, and Robert Schulz. They will be recognized during halftime at the Aug. 30 football game, and a dinner will be held Aug. 31 to celebrate and officially induct the inaugural class into the Avonworth Hall of Distinction. Knox was a lifelong resident of Emsworth and a graduate of Bellevue High School. He had a distinguished career in public service in Western Pennsylvania, serving as Country Controller, chairman of the Nationality Council, and head of the Intercultural Educational Exchange Fund. One of his accomplishments was helping to establish the Irish Room as part of the Nationality Rooms at the University of Pittsburgh. Knox also served as a commanding officer in the U.S. Navy. John Lenzner and Charles Lenzner have been lifelong residents of Ohio Township. John graduated from North Catholic HIgh School and Charles from Avonworth High School. The Lenzners' family-owned business, Lenzner Coach Lines, was established over 70 years ago in Ohio Township. The Lenzners have sponsored the Lenzner Family Awards Scholarship and donated funds to upgrade and improve the athletic field that now bears their name. Charles also serves on the board of the University of Pittsburgh's Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence.John has held many positions associated with busing and transportation and received the Western Pennsylvania Family Business of the Year award in 1998. Raso was an Avonworth School District employee for 35 years, from 1963 to 1997. After playing one year of professional football with the Buffalo Bills, Raso served in the Army. Upon returning home, he began his career at Avonworth School District, where he held the positions of teacher, football coach, elementary principal, and superintendent. Raso was recognized as the Allegheny County Elementary Principal of the Year and the Allegheny County Outstanding Superintendent. He also served as chairman of the YMCA Board in Bellevue. Schulz is a graduate of Avonworth High School, as well as a former employee of the Avonworth School District. During his time as an Avonworth student, Schulz was a multi-year letterman in both basketball and baseball. While employed by the school district, he was a health and physical education teacher, boys' and girls' basketball coach, and served as athletic director for 18 years. While coaching basketball at Avonworth, Schulz compiled a record of 533 wins and 233 losses, earned one WPIAL Class AA Gold Championship, one WPIAL Class A Silver, eight section championships, and received the Don Barth Annual Coaches' Recognition Award.