OCPS to induct fourth Hall of Fame class
Orange County Public Schools has named a fourth elite class of inductees to its OCPS Hall of Fame. Three are alumni, one is a community champion and one is a distinguished educator.
Founded in 2014 to honor individuals who have earned distinction and recognition from their former classmates, teachers, community members, the world of business and the world at large, this fourth class will be inducted in a fitting celebration of the districts 150th anniversary, Saturday night, March 28, 2020. The event will be held at the Rosen Shingle Creek, Orlando.
2020 INDUCTEES
Kenard Lang (Evans High 1993), a former NFL defensive end, was a member of the 1991 Class 5A State Championship football team from Evans High School.
Lang went on to play for the University of Miami and entered the NFL in 1997 as a first-round draft pick of the Washington Redskins. He also played for the Cleveland Browns and Denver Broncos before retiring in 2007. Today, he is a defensive line coach for Florida International University in Miami.
Lang continues to give back to the Central Florida community through the Kenard Lang Foundation he formed in 2002.It has given out over $250,000 in scholarships to high school students.
Belvin Perry, Jr. (Jones High 1968) earned Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Tuskegee University and went on to study law at Thurgood Marshall School of Law.
He began his legal career as a trial lawyer with the Office of the State Attorney. He quickly rose through the ranks and became the Chief Assistant State Attorney in 1989. That same year he was elected to the circuit bench of the Ninth Judicial Circuit, and served for nearly 25 years, including nine terms as Chief Judge. He currently practices with the Morgan and Morgan Law Firm.
Dedicated to community service, Judge Perry serves on the board of trustees at both Florida A & M and Bethune Cookman universities; and the board of directors for the Orlando Magic Foundation, Belvin Perry, Jr. Central Receiving Center, and United Arts of Central Florida.
Gabriel Jon Preisser (West Orange 2002) was an honor student who excelled in academics, athletics, drama, musical theater and chorus. He studied Italian, French, Spanish, and German in the Opera program at Florida State University and graduated Summa Cum Laude with degrees in Vocal Performance and Commercial Music. He completed a master’s degree in Voice from University of Houston.
His resume includes over 40 operatic and musical theater roles. He is a frequent recitalist throughout the U.S. and a proponent of American composers such as Charles Ives, Carlisle Floyd, Aaron Copland, John Duke, and others.
Currently, Preisser is the Executive and Artistic Director for Opera Orlando.
James (Jim) Ferber (Community Champion), served as President/CEO of the Central Florida YMCA from 1993 to 2015 and is known as a visionary and advocate for children.
Under his leadership, the Central Florida YMCA grew from an $8.5 million organization serving 15,500 members to an $70 million organization impacting the lives of more than 235,000 residents annually.
As head of the YMCA, Ferber responded with Orange County and the Central Florida Boys & Girls Club around 2000 to help create a free after-school program in every Orange County middle school. It provided academic support, role model supervision and safe, hands-on activities.
As the current Chairman of Dr. Phillips Charities, Ferber has approved gifts of more than $2.8 million to Orange County Public Schools and more than $195 million to the Central Florida community.
Marge LaBarge (Distinguished Educator) was a tireless advocate for children. She joined OCPS in 1986 to create a student assistance program that is now known as the SAFE (Student Assistance and Family Empowerment) Program. In doing so, she created a prevention/intervention legacy that has served countless students, teachers and administrators. The value of the SAFE program was clear and it grew over the years to cover all schools in the district.
LaBarge also coordinated the creation of crisis teams that assisted schools with the emotional impact of serious events, such as the death of a student or staff member.
She retired from OCPS in 2006 and passed away in 2016 at the age of 81.
Proceeds from the March 28 gala induction will provide support for district and school programs that mobilize caring and committed adult advocates for OCPS students.
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