SAHS Distinguished Alumni
Our Distinguished Alumni Award is our way of recognizing truly outstanding alumni for their academic, professional, and/or community achievements.
Some Examples of a Deserving Candidate Might Include:
• Accomplishments and honors earned while in high school.
• Job related exemplary achievement and/or noteworthy record.
• Personal accomplishments and honors earned post high school graduation.
• Work in and impact on community (local, state, and/or national level).
• Demonstrated leadership and positive role modeling.
Nominate a Distinguished Alumni Today
2025
Todd Benner, Class of 1984, Jason Kaufman, Class of 1999, Diane (Eiswert) Bailey, Class of 1974, Neil Rhoads, Class of 1957, and Linda (Bolig) Rhoads, Class of 1959 were honored as the 2025 Distinguished Alumni Recipients.
Todd Benner – Class of 1984
Todd Benner graduated from SAHS in 1984. Upon graduation, Todd attended Lycoming College and returned to Selinsgrove to become a fourth-generation owner of Selinsgrove Ford, where he has upheld his family’s tradition of service, integrity, and leadership. His lifelong commitment to the Selinsgrove community has been evident in his dedication to philanthropy, youth development, and local business leadership, all of which have contributed to our community’s strength and vitality. Todd has actively volunteered his time, guidance, character development, and resources to student athletes, youth development programs, athletic mentorship, and local traditions. Due to Todd’s unwavering sponsorship support, the Selinsgrove Ford logo appears on programs, banners, jackets, uniforms, etc. involving all aspects of the community. In addition to his dedication to youth and athletics, Todd has demonstrated leadership by helping preserve Selinsgrove Speedway.
Jason Kaufman – Class of 1999
Jason Kaufman graduated from SAHS in 1999. Throughout his life, Jason has demonstrated exceptional dedication, leadership, and expertise in safety and emergency preparedness to his community. His community service includes the four county Transition Clinic, SUN Area Career and Technology Center where he serves on the advisory board, NOCTI proctor and on the Safety Committee, Snyder County LEPC, and Selinsgrove PD as a Ride Along Participant.
His volunteerism involves service with DH&L, American Heart Association, Camp Cadet, Rescue Hose Company (Sunbury), PA Smoke Chasers, Regional Anti-Terrorism Task Force, Wild Land Fire Fighting Crew, North Star Search and Rescue Team, and Freeburg Volunteer Fire Co. just to name a few. He has also won awards in the fields of safety/emergency preparedness, career preparedness, and Life/Work Challenge awards. He is the current Weis Markets Environmental Health and Safety Specialist, where he oversees a wide range of critical safety functions across the entire organization.
Dr. Diane (Eiswert) Bailey – Class of 1974
Dr. Diane Eiswert Bailey graduated from SAHS in 1974. Upon graduation, Diane joined the US Army and the Military Police Corps. After receiving her honorable discharge, she moved to California, earning a BS in Criminal Justice and an MS in Rehabilitation Counseling. During her time in California, she discovered a passion for working with adolescent gang members, juvenile offenders, people with HIV, and people deemed incompetent, especially the elderly. She volunteered at non-profit organizations, leading and developing programs for the incarcerated youth to assist in decreasing the recidivism rates of juveniles. To be closer to her mother, Diane moved to North Carolina. While living in North Carolina, she earned a PhD in Counseling from NC State. Her dissertation was groundbreaking, as she was a pioneer in addressing mental health issues of women who serve in the military. Her “Military Women’s Identity Model” is still utilized on college campuses and veteran’s programs to provide better counseling services to women and veterans. Upon returning to PA, she served the military in a civilian capacity focusing on the children of military families and the impact of multiple deployments.
Neal Rhoads – Class of 1957 & Linda (Bolig) Rhoads – Class of 1959
After high school, Neal, Class of 1957, and Linda, Class of 1959, graduated from Penn State and were married upon Linda’s graduation. The couple settled in the Hershey area, where Neal worked for The Hershey Company after serving in the Air Force and Linda spent her career teaching in the public school system. Their contributions, along with other Rhoads family members, to the Selinsgrove area included funding the Periodical Area in the Rudy Gelnett Library, initial funding of the SAHS Alumni Association, as well as continued support for two scholarship funds for graduating seniors in support of their continuing education. Their volunteer efforts and community service in the Hershey and surrounding areas have benefited numerous non-profit organizations. Neal assisted in the fundraising and personal contributions for the founding of the Hershey Area Playhouse, BOD of the American Lung Association of Central PA, served as President of the Hershey Rotary Club, Hershey Symphony Foundation BOD, Derry Township Municipal Authority, and a member of the Arts for All Committee of The Foundation for Enhancing Communities. Linda served as an active member of the Hershey Horticulture Society, member of the Federated Women’s Club, and operated a small business which provided non-profits with free or reduced window treatments. Together, they have been volunteers with “The People Mover”, a free senior shuttle, supporters both financial and volunteer with the Chautauqua Institution in Chautauqua, NY, donating to several colleges of Penn State and the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, and established three funds through The Foundation for Enhancing Communities in Harrisburg, to name a few. To honor both Neal and Linda, areas of both building and grounds have been named in their honor and establishing several estate documents which include bequests to a number of non-profits to ensure their philanthropy will not end with their passing. Unfortunately, Linda recently passed away in April of 2022, but we will always remember and honor her legacy as a Selinsgrove Seal.