OFHS to induct 2 into Wall of Fame

The Oconto Falls School District has announced that Guy Jeske and Virgie Damp are the newest inductees to the Oconto Falls High School Wall of Fame.

Jeske graduated from Oconto Falls High School with the class of 1972. He was a member of the National Honor Society, Student Council and competed on the 5-High Quiz Bowl Team.

After high school, he attended Michigan Technological University. He was a member of the Tau Beta Pi, a national engineering honor society. Guy graduated cum laude receiving his degree in geological engineering in 1976.

Jeske began a 43-year professional career in the mining and explosives industries and focused on best practices in mining operations and maintenance. He accepted many challenges to lead improvements in safety, productivity, cost reduction and employee relations. Jeske worked with the restart of two mines that had closed due to bankruptcy, and both are still in operation today. He led the actions at two other struggling mines to develop more ore reserves and improve operations, maintenance and safety.

Jeske and his wife, Robin, are retired and living in Upper Michigan. They enjoy camping, hunting, home improvement projects and spending time with their children and grandchildren.

Damp, class secretary, graduated from Oconto Falls High School in 1968. She was involved in many high school activities and served on the Class of 1968 Reunion Committee for several years. She was the 1967 homecoming queen, a member of the National Honor Society, a member of the 1968 annual staff, treasurer for Future Business Leaders of America and a member of the Girls’ Recreation Association.

After high school, Damp began her career in banking, as well as an auction clerk. She became the person that everyone knew as she rarely forgets a name.

Damp is a member of St. Anthony’s Church’s finance council, a member of the Parish Council of Catholic Women and helps with the Script program for the Catholic school. Virgie assists with elections for the Town of Oconto Falls as a poll worker, she is a member of the Oconto Falls Lioness Lions, a Friend of the Oconto Falls Community Library, a superintendent at the Oconto County Youth Fair, and serves on the Oconto Electric Cooperative Community Change Board and the NEW Credit Union Audit Committee.

Damp married her high school sweetheart, Jim Damp, in 1968. They live in the Town of Oconto Falls, where they raised their two children, Brenda and Al. They are also grandparents of five grandchildren.

Established in 1996, the Wall of Fame honors Oconto Falls alumni who have demonstrated exceptional civic achievements and professional success following their high school years.

Wall of Fame inductees will be formally recognized during the OFHS homecoming football game Sept. 27. The celebration will continue with an induction ceremony and luncheon on Sept. 28, where the new members will be honored for their significant contributions to their communities and beyond.