Congratulations to our 2023 Honorary Graduates, Dale Koger and Zelma Cannon! We honor these two former Silverton educators for their commitment to the students of Silverton.

Zelma was nominated for her most contagious positive “can do Foxes” attitude. She always has a smile on her face and was the first staff member to raise her hand to help, regardless of the task, or how busy her life.

The impact she had on her students is immeasurable.  Imagine how many lives she touched when one considers that she probably taught 150 students, every semester, 2 semesters a year during her thirty-two-year career.  Her reach at retirement had her touching grandchildren of some of the first students she had taught.

She taught lifelong skills classes; such as, Personal Finance, Interpersonal Relationships, Child Development, Foods and Nutrition, and Culinary Skills just to name a few, that her students are still using.  She had an amazing ability to connect with any student that was in her class and was able to adapt her classes to fit each student’s needs.  She always had a ready smile, a funny story, and a laugh that could be heard down the hallway.  Class with Zelma went quickly for there was never a dull moment.  Many of the students use those skills professionally today in the hospitality and restaurant professions.

The classroom was only a small part of her life as she extended herself outside the 8 hours a day in many activities to include being a class advisor, club advisor, Prom Director and Advisor to the SHS Culinary Competition Team.

Even after retirement, Zelma still represents and practices the gift of giving to whomever touches her life. Her community volunteerism continues to help the youngest to the oldest in the Silverton community. She has dedicated her entire life to her family, her students and her community.

Dale received his Bachelor of Science and Master of Education degrees from Oregon State University, and his educational administrative degree from Lewis and Clark College.  He began his teaching career in 1973 at Bethel High School in Spanaway, Washington, where he also coached both baseball and football.  He moved to Silverton and began teaching at Silverton Union High School in 1978.

His career as a teacher, coach, and administrator spanned 40+ years with over half of those in the Silver Falls School District.  He served as teacher, coach, High School Principal, Middle School Principal, Elementary Principal, and also Human Resources Director for SFSD.

During his career, Dale also served in a number of volunteer capacities, and as part of local service organizations.  He was an active member of local Rotary Chapters in both Silverton and Keizer which included a term as President of the Silverton Club.  He also volunteered with local road clean up, Foxes Booster Club, and Habitat for Humanity procurement of materials efforts.

He and his wife, Alice, enjoy a very active retirement with seven grandchildren and one great grandchild to keep them occupied.  They travel twice each year to visit grandchildren in Flagstaff, Arizona.  Between gardening, home improvement projects, rooting on both the Beavers and the Foxes, as well as their involvement at Emmanuel Bible Church, they keep quite busy.