The Peru Gazette

Sherry Dobbs, Jessica Ewald, Everett J. Ezero, Ron Foster, and Micayla McGinn Wilson

The school honored the new members during half-time of Friday evening’s Apple Bowl Football game and at a dinner on Saturday evening.

Sherry Dobbs – 1955 – Athlete

Sherry Dobbs Senior could be described in multiple ways.  He was a free spirit who loved Peru, the orchards and the Adirondacks. His kids would say he liked to play farmer at the Hart Orchard. Dobber was also a prankster and could always make you laugh with a story.   He was also a philanthropist with his time and money.  He was always willing to help people in need, visit a sick friend, and assist many local churches when projects needed to be completed.  Sherry also founded the Carol Dobbs Memorial Science Scholarship which it funded many students’ ability to take college courses in High School. As well as providing money for students attending college to study sciences.

Most people in Peru wouldn’t know he was an outstanding three-sport athlete in Soccer, Basketball and Track and field.  

As an athlete, he was all-conference in Soccer in 1954 and 1st team all-conference guard in basketball in 1954 & 1955.  He was the team captain of the 20-1 team.

As the point guard, he was vital in assisting Chuck Kinney, who holds the NYS record for 98 points in a single game.  Dobber always joked he had the unofficial NYS State assist record with 33 assists in a single game.

After serving in the Marine Corps, Sherry played soccer at SUNY Plattsburgh before entering the Department of Corrections.

Sherry was civic-minded as he served on the town board and the Lions Club of Peru. Sherry was a true-blue Peru native who loved his town and the sports at Peru Central School.

Jessica Ewald – Athlete – 2009

Jessica Ewald was a three-sport standout at Peru Central School in the early 2000s. Her humble, team-first outlook on athletics enhanced her admirable leadership qualities throughout her playing days. Her outstanding work ethic endeared her to coaches, teammates and opponents alike. These qualities were instrumental in determining that Jessica was an exemplary representative of Peru Central School both on and off the field of play.

Jessica was a four-year starter on the varsity soccer team and was selected as a CVAC All-Star in her senior year. She was a two-year starter on the varsity basketball team, where her defensive tenacity was typically on display against the opposing point guard. Finally, she was a three-year starter on the varsity softball team. In softball in her senior year, Jessica was honored as the CVAC Most Valuable Player as voted by CVAC coaches.

A tribute to her leadership skills and a reflection of the respect her peers afforded her, Jessica was elected as team captain in all three of the aforementioned sports in her senior year.

In recognition of her exploits on the field and in the classroom, Jessica received many honors. Among them were the 2008-2009 Warrior Award given to Peru’s top female and male athletes each year; the Ray Holmes Scholar-Athlete Award, and induction into the National Honor Society,  which was the result of being a high honor roll student in each academic quarter in grades nine through 12. She continued her education at the University of Buffalo, graduating with a Bachelor’s in Geology.

In the words of Miss Cathy Phillips, the Athletic Director at Peru during Jessica’s tenure there, Jessica was a “quiet, polite, creative, hardworking, tenacious young lady who was extremely loyal to friends and teammates.” 

Jessica now shows loyalty to her family, with whom she lives in Colchester, Vermont. Her family includes four children, two of whom are twin girls. Regarding those girls, Jessica’s dad, Larry, said, “I never wanted girls to play on the high school football team in fear of them getting hurt. But, I have a granddaughter who I think could play…she is a bruiser!” Those of us who have known Larry for years hope it happens!

Everett J. Ezero – Athlete – 1959

Everett J. Ezero graduated from Peru Central School in 1959.  While at Peru, He participated in six different sports: soccer, baseball, track, basketball, wrestling, and football.  He succeeded in all sports, giving 110% at every practice and game.  He was also a Future Farmers of America throughout all four years of high school.

Sports and years Everett played.

• Soccer- 1-2
• Basketball 1-2
• Wrestling 1-2-3-4 – Sectional Champ in 1959 and captain of the team.  He was undefeated in 1959.
• Track 1-2-3-4 – Ran the 100-yard dash
• Baseball 1-2-3-4 – Won the championship (CVCC) in 1959
• Football 4 – Played one year of football because it was the first year it was offered in Peru.

After high school, Everett married Diane McNierney in 1965.  Together they had two children, a son and a daughter. His daughter Lynn is also in the Hall of Fame.  Everett was an employee of the Dept of Transportation in Plattsburgh for 30 years and then drove a school bus for Peru after retirement.  He currently resides at 709 Union Road, Peru, NY, and travels to Florida in winter.

 Ron Foster – Athlete – 2001

Ron was a two-sport standout in football and wrestling as a student-athlete at Peru Central. His dedication to physical preparation for his athletic endeavors provided the impetus for his great success on the field and the mat while at Peru.

Ron was a 3-year starter in football, playing running back and linebacker. His stellar football career concluded in his senior year of 2000 with numerous honors. His outstanding leadership abilities led to his election as co-captain of the team. He earned the prestigious honor of being chosen as the CVAC Most Valuable Player for the 2000 season. Furthermore, he was chosen the Offensive Player of the game in the North Country Super Bowl as he rushed for 162 yards and a touchdown. Finally, he was named to the Allstate Class B first team as a linebacker. 

While his football exploits were impressive, it was on the wrestling mat that Ron truly excelled. He was a three-time Section Seven champion while being named the 1998 tournament Most Valuable Wrestler. He was chosen as the team’s co-captain in his senior year and also claimed titles in both styles at the New York State Freestyle and Greco-Roman championships. He earned a silver medal in both styles at the Empire State Games in the summer. Ron concluded his highly decorated high school wrestling career by finishing sixth at 171 lbs. at the New York State High School championships in Syracuse.  Ron was a first-team all-star his senior year, finishing with a 27-5 record his senior year and a career record of 93-29

Ron parlayed his high school successes in athletics into a scholarship offer for wrestling at division one Binghamton University. He now lives in Delmar, New York, with his wife, Christi, and his two young daughters, Emily and Sophia.          

Micayla McGinn Wilson  – 2008 – Athlete 

Micayla McGinn-Wilson was a four-sport varsity athlete in outdoor track, indoor track, soccer and basketball.  As an outdoor and indoor track athlete, she won Section VII Championships in the 800m, high jump, 1600m relay and 600m run.  Micayla also earned a Section VII State qualifier, placing 5th in the 800 meter and 8th in the high jump.  Micayla tied the Section VII high jump record in 2006 and set the record in 2008, which stood until 2023.  It still stands as the school record.  

As a varsity soccer player, she was a starter throughout her sophomore-senior years and earned the title of Division I All-Star in 2006 and 2007.   She was a varsity basketball player throughout her sophomore-senior years.  While playing sports, Micayla was inducted into the National Honor Society and National Arts Honor Society and obtained a Regents diploma with advanced designation.  

Her athletic awards were Outdoor Track MVP in 2006 & 2007 and “Hall of Fame” in 2008 for the 400m, 800m and high jump.  Micayla was awarded the ‘Most Outstanding Athlete’ known as the “Diamond Award,” as well as “The Warrior Award,” “McDonald’s Award,” and “Vince Lombardi Award”.

Micayla continued her athletic career at Xavier University, being awarded a partial Division I Scholarship for her sophomore-senior years and an academic Scholarship all four years.  She competed in Cross country, Indoor track and Outdoor track all four years.  While at Xavier, she volunteered in medical Mission trips to Russia, Guatemala, Tucson, AZ and Fort Collins, CO.  Micayla graduated Cum Laude with a Master’s in Occupational Therapy.

Micayla resides in Colorado with her husband, Keith, and their puppy, Mesa.  She is an Occupational Therapist and active hiking, rock climbing, paddle boarding, and skiing.  She has traveled to 48 states with a goal of planting foot in all 50.  She and Keith hope to hike all National Parks and the 46 peaks of the Adirondacks when visiting “home” in the North Country.