Several years ago, the Highland Central School District (HCSD) created a Hall of Fame to recognize the achievements of accomplished alumni and dedicated faculty and staff, and to inspire today’s students to do great things with their educations. This year’s Alumni Hall of Fame inductees are retired teacher and coach Carl Relyea and the late Paul Hansut, who was a devoted community leader. Substitute teacher Angela Grieco is the recipient of this year’s Husky Pride award.
As in the past, this year’s honorees display an impressive level of commitment to the Highland community. Relyea graduated from Highland High School in 1972 and devoted his subsequent career to his alma mater. He worked as a physical education teacher and coach in the District for 38 years before retiring in 2016. As a coach, he led the Boys Varsity Basketball team from 1982 to 1986. He was also the head coach for Varsity Baseball, helping the team amass more than 300 wins and four Section IX Championship titles. In addition, he helped the 1992 and 1996 Varsity Baseball teams earn Regional Championships and New York State Final Four appearances.
Relyea helmed the Highland Varsity Football program from 1986 until 2015, leading his players to 146 wins and six Section IX Championships. Relyea’s Huskies were a Class C powerhouse in the 1990s, and his team’s Section IX title in 1991 provided Highland with its first football trophy in two decades. During that span of dominance, the Huskies also won a pair of Regional titles, which resulted in two State Final Four appearances. Relyea led his team to its last Sectional title in 2008.
Outside of school, Relyea coached Highland Little League for many years and was a water safety instructor at Berean Park. Thousands of young people have benefited from his dedication to his classes and his teams. He provided his students and athletes with positive experiences that taught them not only a particular curriculum or sport, but also about life. His love for his athletes didn’t end on the field or court. He made sure to check up on them long after they had graduated from High School.
This past fall, Relyea was presented with the inaugural Coach Carl Relyea Award, which will be given annually to an individual who has positively impacted the football program in Highland.
Hansut was a lifelong resident of Highland. He graduated from Highland High School in 1982 and went on to attend Dutchess Community College. He spent his professional career in law enforcement, working for both the Town of Lloyd and the City of Poughkeepsie Police Departments in various capacities, including officer, patrolman and detective. He served on multiple task forces and was president of the Police Benevolent Association and a member of the Police Athletics League. Shortly before his retirement from the police department in 2012, Hansut transitioned to politics, first serving four years as an Ulster County Legislator, then eight years as Town of Lloyd Supervisor. During his time as supervisor, he worked tirelessly to revitalize the Highland community, bringing in 13 new businesses within his first few years of being elected. He also made it his goal to expand events throughout the community.
Hansut was involved with the Town of Lloyd Ethics Board, the Recreational Commission and the Republican Committee; Highland Little League and Junior League; the Hudson Valley Umpire Association; and the Highland Cemetery Committee. He was also a member of the Italian Center, the Polish Club and the Machinist Club. In addition, he served as the St. Augustine Church Bazaar Chairman for five years and was a 3rd Degree member of the Knights of Columbus.
Hansut was proud of his community and enjoyed attending local sporting events, especially when his son was pitching at a High School baseball game. He was committed to helping local organizations meet their fundraising goals and was always front and center at various car washes, pancake breakfasts and more. He devoted his life to public service and loved helping the people of the Highland, especially its senior citizens and veterans. He was equally devoted to his beloved wife and family.
Grieco was born and raised in New York City. She worked as a Social Studies teacher in Newburgh. After retiring, she relocated to Highland and began subbing at both Highland Middle School and Highland High School. She continued to work throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, even teaching herself to use modern video communications software like Zoom.
Grieco is a wealth of knowledge and experience, and she is happy to share her wisdom in her classrooms. She has the love and respect of her students, whom she affectionately calls “her kids.” When she is not volunteering for the Town of Lloyd Events Committee or the Highland Public Library, she can often be found attending school sporting events, concerts, foreign language nights and more. Grieco is usually the first choice for leave replacements or long-term subbing opportunities throughout the District. It is clear that she has passion and dedication for her profession and truly cares about the students of Highland.
The trio of Hall of Fame inductees will be honored at the Highland Educational Foundation’s annual Spring Gala dinner dance and silent auction fundraiser, which will be held on Saturday, April 15, from 6:30-10:30 PM, at Indian Ridge in Highland. Tickets are $65 each, with a cash bar. Tickets are available by calling Becky at (845) 234-1522. Proceeds will support teacher mini-grants for projects to benefit HSCD students.
Plaques bearing photos of the honorees will be added to the Hall of Fame wall located at Highland High School, joining the past years’ distinguished inductees. Anyone wishing to nominate a future Hall of Fame for the induction committee’s consideration should contact cjacobsen@highland-k12.org or call (845) 691-1014.