‘THE SPIRIT AND SOUL OF SV’: School board awards honorary diploma to longtime educator, spokesman, and everything in-between
KAYLEE LINDENMUTH / SHENANDOAH SENTINEL - Robert Yudinsky poses for a photo after being presented an honorary Shenandoah Valley High School diploma on Dec. 6, 2023.
SHENANDOAH – For half a century, few have been more fervent supporters of all things Shenandoah Valley than Robert Yudinsky.
A teacher in the district from the early 1970s until the mid 2000s, Yudinsky was also been student council advisor and, for at least the past 20 years, has been the public relations director for the district.
“He is the spirit and soul of Shenandoah Valley,” School Board President Dan Salvadore said at Wednesday’s board meeting. “His blood runs blue and he’s done everything [here.]”
Salvadore said he was instrumental in the creation and maintenance of the Shenandoah Valley Wall of Fame, World War II Memorial, and Pennsylvania State Police plaque.
“He’s done so many things for this school district, its incredible,” Salvadore said. “But we could never claim him as one of ours because he never graduated from Shenandoah Valley.”
“Well, today, that changes,” Salvadore added, presenting an honorary diploma to Yudinsky, who was caught by complete surprise by the recognition. Yudinsky was present at the meeting to photograph the swearing-in of the re-elected school board members.
Yudinsky told the Sentinel after the meeting that he graduated from Immaculate Heart Academy in Fountain Springs, the predecessor to the defunct Cardinal Brennan High School.
He received a standing ovation after receiving the diploma.
Superintendent Brian Waite said Yudinsky has been a “great asset to the district and to me personally” over his past eight years, saying that what Yudinsky does is always with the interests of students in mind.
“Every day, you are here for our students,” Waite said.
Several of his former players from his coaching days also surprised Yudinsky with another pending recogntion.
“Mr. Yudinsky is going to be nominated for the 2024 Shenandoah Valley High School Wall of Fame for his tireless efforts and dedication to the Shenandoah Valley School District,” board member and former player Jodi Loughlin said.
Salvadore said the district awarded honorary diplomas on two other occasions: to Mrs. T’s Pierogies founder Ted Twardzik, Class of ’45, and to former Philadelphia Eagles owner Jerry Wolman, Class of ’66.
Though, a newspaper article written by Yudinsky in 2002 shows that the district also provided honorary diplomas to six World War II veterans who left school to serve in the military.
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