South Houston High to honor 5 new inductees

South Houston High to honor 5 new inductees
Posted on 09/09/2019
South Houston High to honor 5 new inductees

South Houston High School Hall of Honor 2020 Induction Ceremony
Three South Houston High School graduates and two faculty members will be inducted into the South Houston High School Hall of Honor during the homecoming celebration on November 1. The honorees include Sheila Wilson Beckett, Class of ’70; Allen Fowler, Class of ’80; Vaughaligan Walwyn, Class of ’99; former dance instructor Glenda Jones and former JROTC instructor Cecil H. Dinwiddie.

The Hall of Honor recognizes graduates who have made significant contributions to society and always “Do what’s right.” Induction into the Hall of Honor is the highest accolade that can be given to South Houston High School graduates and former faculty members.

The induction ceremony will start at 11:45 a.m. on Nov. 1, followed by a reception.

Sheila Wilson Beckett - Class of 1970
Sheila BeckettSheila Beckett serves as Senior Advisor for the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Technical Assistance. As a senior advisor, she recruits public finance experts from local and state government entities to serve in international advisory roles. Beckett has also provided guidance to financial specialists in several developing and post-conflict nations including Cambodia, Djibouti, Honduras, Malawi, Mongolia, Myanmar, Uganda and the Ukraine.

Prior to her role as a senior advisor, she served as the budget director for Governor Bill Clements and Lieutenant Governor Bob Bullock. As the executive director of the Employees Retirement System of Texas, she managed an investment portfolio worth $20 billion dollars. Before the start of her career in public finance, Beckett received a bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M and a master’s degree from the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas.

Beckett has earned many awards for her efforts, including the Distinguished Public Servant Award by the LBJ School of Public Affairs and the National Public Servant Award by the American Society for Public Administration and the National Academy of Public Administration.

Sgt. Allen Fowler - Class of 1980
Allen FowlerRetired MGySgt USMC Allen Fowler began his military career as a member of the JROTC at SHHS. MGySgt  Fowler went on to serve in the U.S. Marine Corps for 30 years and retired as a Master Gunnery Sergeant, the highest enlisted ranking in the Marine Corps. 

After retiring from the Marine Corps, MGySgt Fowler’s commanding officer recommended that he serve as a Family Readiness Officer. In this role, he aided families of deployed Marines by offering support and counseling services, coordinating events for the families and keeping families informed about their loved ones. MGySgt Fowler also supported Toys for Tots by coordinating the donation of  108,000 toys for children in need in the San Diego area.

MGySgt Fowler moved back to Texas after serving as a Family Readiness Officer to spend more time with his parents. He is currently attending Texas State University and will soon graduate with his teaching credentials. After graduation, he plans to teach high school history because he “wants to give some more to the future of this country.”

Vaughaligan Walwyn “Von Won”- Class of 1999
Von WonVaughaligan Walwyn III, known as Von Won, grew up in Edgebrook and was a standout long jumper in high school. After receiving a fully-funded track and field scholarship, he earned his bachelor’s degree in history from Rice University.  In college, Von Won became an NCAA All-American athlete for track and field. He holds the record in the long jump event for the US Virgin Islands, where he was born.

As a minister and recording artist, Von Won has appeared on MTV, Daystar and Fox News. During his music career, he has collaborated with Grammy Award Winning gospel artist Lecrae and the hip hop artist Scarface. In the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, Von Won gathered friends and community members to film a music video entitled “God Bless Edgebrook” in response to the flooding.

Currently, Von Won serves as the lead pastor of the Fellowship Church in Houston, runs his own marketing agency and hosts “Grown & Saved TV” on the JUCE Television Network. Von Won is well known for his work as a hip hop artist, motivational speaker, and entrepreneur. A husband and father of four, Von Won has a vision of spreading inspirational media and a message of hope throughout the world.

Cecil H. Dinwiddie - Former Faculty Member
Von WaughlynSenior Chief Cecil H. Dinwiddie inspired SHHS students to live a life dedicated to national service as a JROTC instructor.

Chief Dinwiddie enlisted in the U.S. Navy during WWII, shortly after his high school graduation. While serving in the Navy, he received training to become a Radioman and specialized in Morse code. During his military career, Dinwiddie was stationed in Guam, Puerto Rico and Cuba.

Dinwiddie retired from the Navy after 24 years of service with the rank of Senior Chief Petty Officer. After retiring from the Navy, Dinwiddie joined the reserves and began teaching JROTC students. As an instructor, he was affectionately called “Chief” by both students and faculty. Dinwiddie often traveled with students to competitions on the weekends to teach them about active duty Navy sailors and to let them tour Navy ships.

Dinwiddie volunteered at the media center after retiring from SHHS and in a year, he began working there part-time at the suggestion of his supervisor. While working at the media center, he also volunteered at a downtown church once a week, handing out bags of food to people in need. 

Chief Dinwiddie left a lasting impact on those who knew him. When asked about her father, Dinwiddie’s daughter Rebecca said, “He not only taught his recruits about the Navy, but by his personal example of being a strong Christian man he also taught them about ethics, honesty and being someone that accepted responsibility for their actions and words.”

After a mighty battle with cancer, Dinwiddie passed away in 2005. He was married to his wife, Elizabeth, for 58 years, raising five children, Ray, Rebecca, Ron, Larry and Rosalind, who is deceased.

Glenda Jones - Former Faculty Member
Glenda JonesGlenda Jones, a respected member of the dance education community, served as the director of the SHHS Jannettes for six years. A dedicated instructor, Jones earned the respect of her students through hard work. In addition to her role as a director at SHHS, she is a charter member of the Texas Dance Educators Association; an organization which serves to further dance education in Texas.

Prior to her role at SHHS, Jones was one of the first faculty members of Dobie High School and directed the Dobie Lariaettes. Jones also served as the director of the Houston Oilers Derrick Dolls and helped prepare the dancers for their first season.