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News
By Patrick Browne
The West Iron County School District recently created a ‘Wall of Fame’ which will honor graduates who have made significant contributions in the military, arts, athletics, politics and business. The honorees will be permanently memorialized with an exhibit located in the entrance of the Greenlund Gymnasium where visitors can reflect upon the lives of the inductees, be inspired and share stories of years ago. The seven inaugural members, ‘The Class of 2023’, have been announced and will be officially inducted on October 7th.
Lee LeBlanc “Artist”
To live in the area is to know the name Lee LeBlanc. With a permanent art exhibit at the Iron County Museum, visitors from around the country visit to marvel at his renderings of area wildlife, reflect upon his Hollywood scenes and be impressed by the nostalgic beauty he imparts through his art.
LeBlanc graduated from Iron River High School in 1931 and continued his education in Los Angeles, California and New York, where he honed his artistic skills. After finishing his education LeBlanc was recruited to work in Hollywood, California where he created matte work (backgrounds) for myriad films including Academy Award winning Ben Hur and Alfred Hitchcock’s North by Northwest. After a long career in Hollywood he returned to Iron River where he continued to work and, in 1973, won the Federal Duck Stamp Competition. Wildlife preserves located in the United States and Canada bear his name and his works are still sought after by collectors.
Willard Anderson “Athlete, Educator and Volunteer”
Anderson’s life was not only one of outstanding accomplishments, but one which exemplified giving back to the community. After graduating from Stambaugh High School, where he had a storied career as both a basketball and football player, he attended the University of Wisconsin, Madison, played football and earned his teaching degree. In 1931 he began his teaching and coaching career at Stambaugh High School, a career that would span 40 years. As a coach he garnered honors so numerous one would be challenged to create a comprehensive list. In addition to teaching and coaching, he was a member of the volunteer fire department, volunteered for a number of charitable organizations, was sought after as a speaker who was both inspirational and humorous and ran a summer program for area children.
Lewis Reimann “Athlete, Author, Camp Founder and Politician”
Upon graduation from Iron River High School in 1908, Reimann attended the University of Michigan where he was a second team All American lineman and won the Big Ten heavyweight wrestling championship.
He matriculated from the University of Michigan in 1915 and became a national leader in efforts for at-risk youth. Reimann founded two camps and gave thousands of children the opportunity to spend time enjoying and reflecting upon the beauty and gift of nature. HIs love of history and the outdoors led him to author several popular books on Upper Peninsula history. With a strong set of values and a personality which drew others, he entered the field of politics and ran for mayor of Ann Arbor and the Michigan Senate. In 2010 was inducted into the Upper Peninsula Sports Hall of Fame.
L. Brandon Giovanelli “Artist and Educator”
Arguably one of the most talented artists to hearken from the Upper Peninsula, L. Brandon Giovanelli was known by his students simply as ‘Mr. G.’. A true native son who was born in Iron River in 1937, he graduated from Iron River High School and thereafter from Northern Michigan University. His love of art and children beckoned him to return to the area where he began a storied career as a teacher. During his 30 year career he positively impacted thousands of students and worked with Coach Don McDonald and guidance counselor Floyd Carlson to devise the school’s mascot. The mythical beast which is the school’s mascot still hangs proudly in the West Iron Gym.
In recognition of his rare talent, The Giovanelli Studio and Gallery is a permanent display at the Iron County Museum and speaks to his artistic genius. The details of his art are incredible and according to the museum’s website, “Allow every guest to easily observe the delicate beauty of his creations.”
Toby Brzoznowski Athlete, Business Owner and Philanthropist
Though the northwoods are replete with men and women who have made a difference in the world of business, none have been more successful than Toby Brzoznowski. After graduating from West Iron in 1988, where he earned 11 varsity letters and was a state champion tennis player, he attended the University of Michigan and earned four varsity letters on the Wolverine’s baseball team. He taught for one year and then began a career in technology and business which would eventually see him grow his company, Llamasoft, to 750 global employees.
As a public speaker, author of myriad articles and expert in supply chain design, Brzoznowski has successfully leveraged his success to better the worlds of hundreds of Iron County children who have benefited from his passion for improving educational equity, access to mental health and child grief support.
Charles ‘Chuck’ Greenlund United States Marine, Teacher; Coach
As a graduate of Stambaugh High School, Greenlund embraced a life of service. As a United States Marine he served his country, as a teacher and coach he served the children and families of the area. He was humbled and honored to have the West Iron County High School Gymnasium named in his honor.
After graduating from Stambaugh High School in 1955, Greenlund entered the Marines and after an honorable discharge enrolled in Northern Michigan University, matriculated and entered the education profession. Teaching led to coaching and his success both in and out of the classroom helped to shape the character of thousands of children. He was the first coach in Michigan history to bring a football and basketball team to the state finals.
His love of children led him to use any and all means to impart the lessons of compassion, resilience and other centeredness. After an explosion in the West Iron County locker room forced him to spend six months in the hospital and longer in recovery, he returned to the school he loved and continued his coaching career. Greenlund is the definition of resilience and a role model for teachers and students.
Harry Monson Educator United States Navy, Administrator, Humanitarian
To have served during World War II in the North Africa, Sicily, Salerno and Normandy invasions certainly would have earned Monson a legitimate reason to be considered for the ‘Wall of Fame’. What he accomplished after an honorable discharge in 1945 would also have been reason to consider his nomination. To combine the two is to have material for an award winning movie.
Harry Monson was born in 1915 in Escanaba, graduated from Michigan State and earned his Master’s Degree at the University of Michigan. After teaching for four years he enlisted in the United States Navy where he had a storied career during the Second World War.
At the end of the war, he taught and coached at Iron River High School. His football teams were undefeated in 1950, 1952 and 1953 and he was named Upper Peninsula Coach of the Year all three years. In 1955 he became a high school athletic official , a job he performed for the next 19 years. Concurrently, he was the principal of Iron River High School and then West Iron County High School.
“His active life in helping the community included being named a life member of the Kiwanis Club of Iron County where he was the recipient of the George F. Hixson award, the Legion of Honor, and Kiwanian of the Year. He served on the Iron River City Compensation Board, the Iron County Authority on Aging, the District Boy Scout Council and was a member of the Crystal Falls-Iron River Masonic Lodge. He had served on the Board of Directors of the Iron River TV Corporation, the MFC 55 Plus Club, and had served as president and treasurer of the local chapter of the Michigan Association of Retired School Personnel. He had served on the State of Michigan committee to establish high school football playoffs, was chairman of the scholarship committee of the Alfred-Branchini Post No. 17 of the American Legion where he was a member, and served on the “Seniors for Superior Schools” which worked to pass the millage for the new West Iron County High School.” (Iron County Reporter, Dec. 2002).
Banquet reservations for the Wall of Fame Induction Dinner can be purchased by mailing $25 per person to Mike Berutti, West Iron County Athletic Director, 701 Nick Baumgartner Way, Iron River, MI 49935. Deadline is September 23. Additional information can be obtained by contacting Dan Hinch, President, at skinuts2@sbcglobal.net or cell 906-458-8536.