On Oct. 21, the Solanco School District inducted seven new members into its hall of fame: Connor Sheehan, Brandon Enck, Merlin B. Hauer, Karl C. Groff, Jerry McCarrell, Makenzie Keys and Ken Denlinger. The induction ceremony included dinner for the inductees and their families and was followed by the Solanco Mules football game versus the Fleetwood Tigers.

Approximately 60 people attended the ceremony, including other hall-of-famers and the selection board in addition to this year's inductees. After dinner and socializing, each athlete officially entered the hall of fame and was given a trophy, a plaque, a hall of fame pass for all Solanco sporting events and a jacket commemorating his or her induction year. Prior to the start of the football game, the inductees were honored on the track and their biographies were read to the crowd.

In May each year, the hall of fame selection committee meets to discuss any letters of recommendation it has received. The committee keeps a list of nominees that it reviews each year; some nominees might not yet meet the criteria for induction, or the committee might be lacking enough information to select them. For an athlete to enter the hall of fame, he or she must have graduated at least five years prior. Anthony Hall, athletic director for Solanco School District, commented on what he and the other members of the board look for in nominees.

"If it's an individual sport, we look for a very successful career statistically. For team sports, we look at individual statistics but also the success of the team they were on," said Hall. "We also look at the longevity of their careers. Some inductees were varsity athletes all four years of high school."

Each inductee was present to receive his or her trophy and plaque with the exception of Ken Denlinger, a 1960 graduate of Solanco High School who passed away in October 2015. Denlinger played both baseball and basketball for all four years of high school and received the Babe Ruth Outstanding Male Athlete award in his senior year.

Connor Sheehan is a 2014 Solanco High School graduate and lettered all four years in wrestling and golf. Sheehan was a three-time champion as a player in both leagues.

Brandon Enck graduated in 2010 and played on the varsity football and basketball teams for three years. During his basketball career at Solanco High School, he scored 900 points and has 292 steals.

Merlin B. Hauer graduated in 1956; he lettered in wrestling for three years and played baseball, football and basketball as well.

Karl C. Groff graduated in 1958 and played on the varsity basketball team all four years of high school. During his senior year, he scored 41 points in one game.

Jerry McCarrell graduated from Penn State University in 1965. McCarrell taught driver's education at Solanco High School for 34 years and drove the bus for sports teams at the school for 49 years.

Makenzie Keys graduated from Solanco in 2012 and lettered in tennis for two years and in basketball for four years. Keys averaged 13 points per game during her basketball career.

Those who wish to nominate an athlete may send a letter of recommendation to Solanco High School, 585 Solanco Road, Quarryville, or email Hall at anthony_hall@solancosd.org.