THS inaugurates first Hall of Pride class

Published 8:30 am Thursday, April 18, 2024

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Troup High inducted the inaugural class into its new Hall of Pride on Wednesday morning.

Six Troup High alumni were inducted into the first Hall of Pride class. Plaques with their photos now adorn the entry hallway at THS reminding students of some of the school’s best and brightest. The Hall of Pride is sponsored by the Troup High Alumni Association.

The 2024 Hall of Pride inductees include Capt. Edward Troy Anderson, Coach Dariel Wayne Daniel, Dr. Karyn Livingston Hunnicutt, Judge Allen Barber Keeble, Elijah Kelley and James Ike Stogner.

TROY ANDERSON

Anderson served as Troup High senior class president. After graduating in 1988, Anderson earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering at Georgia Tech before being commissioned into the United States Navy.

In the Navy, Anderson received flight training and became a naval aviator in 1996. Over Capt. Anderson’s 26-year career he accumulated nearly 2000 flight hours while being deployed for more than four and a half years.

Anderson later returned to LaGrange with his wife Tina, also THS alumni, and began his second career with Troup County Government, serving as Community Development Director and Manager of the LaGrange-Callaway Airport.

DARIEL DANIEL

The late Dariel Daniel’s name is synonymous with wrestling at Troup High. The longtime coach is by far the most successful wrestling coach the school has ever had.

His career highlights include 252 unbeaten, consecutive wrestling dual victories ranked second in the nation and 217 unbeaten consecutive dual victories ranked third in the nation.

After graduating from high school, Coach Daniel went to Auburn and earned a degree in Physical Education and a minor in Geography in 1970, and later a master’s in Physical Education, and an educational specialist degree in Social Studies.

Daniel became a teacher and coach at Troup High in 1974 and was named Teacher of the Year in the 1980s.

As a wrestling coach, Danial won nine state championships in Georgia and five in Texas where he served as an assistant coach.

KARYN HUNNICUTT

Dr. Hunnicutt, then Karyn Livingston, graduated from Troup High in 1990. During her time at THS, she played tennis, was a cheerleader and was chosen as homecoming queen.

Hunnicutt later graduated from the University of Georgia with a Microbiology degree. She went on to the Medical College of Georgia and completed her residency at Augusta Children’s Hospital in 2001.

She later moved back to LaGrange where she continues her medical career at the Children’s Clinic of LaGrange.

ALLEN KEEBLE

Judge Allen Keeble graduated from Troup High School in 1963. While at THS, Keeble lettered in baseball and basketball and was the 1963 STAR Student.

Keeble went on to the University of Georgetown on a full scholarship and later to UGA Law School where he received his Juris Doctor degree in 1969. While in school choice, Judge Keeble served in the Air Force ROTC and was commissioned as a second lieutenant. During active duty, Keeble earned the rank of captain. He also served as Judge Advocate until 1972.

After serving as a military Judge, Keeble returned to LaGrange where he practiced law and served as the president of the Troup County Bar Association.

In Troup County, Keeble served as a state court judge, juvenile court judge and eventually superior court judge where he served until his retirement in 2012.

ELIJAH KELLEY

Actor Elijah Kelley participated and excelled in the arts at all levels as a student in the Troup County School System, first at Rosemont Elementary, then Long Cane Middle School and finally at Troup High School where he graduated in 2004.

At a young age, Kelley expressed interest in being an actor. With the support of his family and talents fostered by his love of music and church, Kelley toured the Southeast performing at churches.

While at Long Cane Middle, Kelley won roles in “Mama Flora’s Family” and “A Lesson Before Dying.” Forgoing Hollywood for a bit, Kelley decided to finish high school at Troup High.

After graduation, Kelley moved to Los Angeles to continue pursuing his successful acting career. With over a half billion in box office performances, Kelley’s career has been an undeniable success and is just starting.

Other acting credits include 28 Days, The Wiz Live, Hairspray and the upcoming Sammy Davis Jr. story to name a few.

JAMES STOGNER

Stogner graduated from Troup High in 1960. After graduating from THS, Stogner served in the United States Army for two years.

Stogner returned to LaGrange where he worked in several businesses before going to the Mike Patton Volkswagen and Honda dealerships. He and Patton later bought the Toyota dealership in LaGrange in 1978 and continued that partnership until 2002 when Michael Stogner bought Patton’s share of the business.

James and his son later built the dealership on Lafayette Parkway in 2007.

Stogner is one of the first members of the Troup High Alumni Association and was an active member from the very beginning, Troup County Commissioner and THS Alumni Ellis Cadenhead said

“James has had a profound impact in this region. His dedication and several actions have solidified his reputation as a pillar of this community. His name is synonymous with generosity and leadership. His actions are a testament to his deep faith and commitment to living out the principles of compassion, service and unity,” Cadenhead said.