TOM PHILLIPS

1983 Graduate

Fire Chief / Volunteer / Coach

Nominated by: Madison Phillips, Class of 2014

Tom grew up in Oregon and graduated from Clay High School in 1983. He then studied Education and Exercise Science at the University of Toledo. Post-graduation, Tom volunteered with Fellowship of Christian Athletes in Oregon and continued to work for the Oregon Rec, where he became a supervisor. Tom completed his student teaching at Eisenhower and earned his Bachelor’s Degree in 1989 after winning a bout with cancer. 

After college, Tom spent four years as the Program Director at the Eastern Community YMCA, six years as a wrestling coach at Eisenhower, as well as a coach at Central Catholic. He was an integral member of Heritage Christian Church where he served as an elder and was the volunteer youth minister for many years. This gave him the opportunity to mentor many young people in our community.

In 1996, Tom was hired by the Toledo Fire Department where he became Captain at Toledo Station 9. During this time, he also volunteered for the Oregon Fire Department and served as Treasurer for Oregon Fire. Tom spent many days in classrooms volunteering to teach fire safety to elementary school children in both Oregon and Toledo, Ohio.

TAMMY HUGHES

1976 Graduate

Educator

Nominated by: Dave Scharer, Class of 1980

Tammy graduated from Clay High School in 1976 and attended BGSU and UT. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education grades 1-8 with a specialization in early childhood education certified to teach kindergarten. She also has a Master’s Degree with a specialization in gifted education grades K-12. She worked at Northwood Middle School, Ottawa County Office of Education servicing Port Clinton, Catawba, Danbury districts, Wood County Office of Education servicing North Baltimore, Elmwood and Otsego before bringing her talents to Oregon. 

Tammy is the Coordinator of Gifted Education in the Oregon City School District, the Advanced Placement Coordinator, Co-Editor of the Oregon Oracle, and was the district testing coordinator for 4 years. She founded the Clay High Academic Booster Club in 1996 and presided as chairman until 2015. This group was responsible for the Top 10% Banquet, the Top 20% Breakfast, and other layers of awards that the students could achieve. Parents were able to attend monthly meetings where they could hear from guest speakers and experts in the field of education. 

Tammy also established the Clay High Alumni & Friends Association in 1996 and led it for 23 years. Some of CHAFA’s accomplishments she spearheaded included: created a database to track all CHS graduates, developed a membership database for CHAFA members, $50,000 in scholarships were given to deserving graduates, enhancement and completion of the  Memorial Garden in the Memorial Stadium, decorated and displayed memorabilia and artifacts of CHS ranging back to our first one room schoolhouse to present along with the Wall of Fame, inducted 36 “Distinguished Alumni” into the Hall of Fame with awards and ceremony since 2004, oversaw the forty issues of the Screaming Eagle Newsletter, and purchase and care of Eddy & Edna Eagle mascots. Edna Eagle was a ground breaker by being the only female mascot at the high school level in Ohio in 2002.