Gary Mast honored in naming of Hiland press box
There are people who make their mark in life for astounding accomplishment, great riches and tremendous feats.
However, few achievements in life are more important than building relationships.
On Saturday, Sept. 24 at Hiland High School, East Holmes Schools honored Gary Mast, a friend and mentor to many, who passed away suddenly last December, by naming the school’s soccer press box, a place where Mast spent many hours as the team scorekeeper, after the longtime East Holmes School District employee and lifetime Holmes Countian.
Hiland High School honored Mast, a former East Holmes School District teacher, principal, bus driver and scoreboard operator, by renaming the press box above the soccer field in his memory prior to the Hawks home game against Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy (CVCA).
The dedication ceremony took place on the field prior to the start of the boys game against the Royals. In attendance from the Mast family were Gary’s wife, Nila Mast, and daughter, Stacey Egli, along with Egli’s children, Blake, Graham and Hunter.
In honoring Mast, the district brought back two former school employees who worked quite closely with Mast over the years and got to know him very well. The plaque honoring Mast was presented by Colin Mishler, former Hiland High School athletic director, and former East Holmes Superintendent Gary Sterret.
During the ceremony, Darren Blochlinger, current Berlin Elementary principal and longtime friend of Mast, talked about what a large role Mast had played in the school district over the years, both in terms of his service in athletics and academics. Mast spent much of his time in all of those capacities building bonds of friendship, whether it was with his students, peers or family members throughout the community.
“This evening we honor a life of friendship and service that Gary Mast gave to our school and community,” said Blochlinger over the loudspeaker during the ceremony. “With all of the contribution of time and talent that he devoted to his professional work and relationships, he also found time for family and devotion to his church, Martins Creek Mennonite.
“Gary’s legacy represents a lifetime of living his faith, sharing his friendship and generously offering his service to the community.”
The new plaque, which will reside at the press box, now known as Gary Mast Press Box, states, “In loving memory of our friend, scorekeeper, bus driver, teacher and principal. 1943-2010.”
About Mast, current Hiland boys soccer coach Scott Bodiker said, “Gary was someone who has been a longtime servant to his community and school.”
Bodiker, who married into the community, said that as an outsider who hadn’t grown up in the East Holmes community, Mast always welcomed him warmly, and he appreciated his willingness to accept him.
“In my years as an outsider here, Gary was always helpful, and we became friends.”
However, few achievements in life are more important than building relationships.
On Saturday, Sept. 24 at Hiland High School, East Holmes Schools honored Gary Mast, a friend and mentor to many, who passed away suddenly last December, by naming the school’s soccer press box, a place where Mast spent many hours as the team scorekeeper, after the longtime East Holmes School District employee and lifetime Holmes Countian.
Hiland High School honored Mast, a former East Holmes School District teacher, principal, bus driver and scoreboard operator, by renaming the press box above the soccer field in his memory prior to the Hawks home game against Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy (CVCA).
The dedication ceremony took place on the field prior to the start of the boys game against the Royals. In attendance from the Mast family were Gary’s wife, Nila Mast, and daughter, Stacey Egli, along with Egli’s children, Blake, Graham and Hunter.
In honoring Mast, the district brought back two former school employees who worked quite closely with Mast over the years and got to know him very well. The plaque honoring Mast was presented by Colin Mishler, former Hiland High School athletic director, and former East Holmes Superintendent Gary Sterret.
During the ceremony, Darren Blochlinger, current Berlin Elementary principal and longtime friend of Mast, talked about what a large role Mast had played in the school district over the years, both in terms of his service in athletics and academics. Mast spent much of his time in all of those capacities building bonds of friendship, whether it was with his students, peers or family members throughout the community.
“This evening we honor a life of friendship and service that Gary Mast gave to our school and community,” said Blochlinger over the loudspeaker during the ceremony. “With all of the contribution of time and talent that he devoted to his professional work and relationships, he also found time for family and devotion to his church, Martins Creek Mennonite.
“Gary’s legacy represents a lifetime of living his faith, sharing his friendship and generously offering his service to the community.”
The new plaque, which will reside at the press box, now known as Gary Mast Press Box, states, “In loving memory of our friend, scorekeeper, bus driver, teacher and principal. 1943-2010.”
About Mast, current Hiland boys soccer coach Scott Bodiker said, “Gary was someone who has been a longtime servant to his community and school.”
Bodiker, who married into the community, said that as an outsider who hadn’t grown up in the East Holmes community, Mast always welcomed him warmly, and he appreciated his willingness to accept him.
“In my years as an outsider here, Gary was always helpful, and we became friends.”
Published: September 24, 2011
