Ada High School Alumni Association Announces 2026 Hall of Honor Reception and Class of Inductees
Ada, OH — Ada Exempted Village Schools is proud to announce the 2026 Ada High School Hall of Honor Reception, celebrating excellence, service, and Bulldog pride. This year’s reception will take place on Saturday, January 3, 2026, at 4:30 PM in the Ada Schools’ Cafeteria. Following the reception we invite everyone to cheer on the Bulldogs as the Boys Basketball team takes on Delphos. The community is warmly invited to attend and help recognize the outstanding achievements of this year’s honorees.
About the Hall of Honor
The Ada High School Hall of Honor was established to acknowledge graduates and non-graduates who have demonstrated exceptional service, leadership, or loyalty to Ada Schools or in their chosen field. Each year, no more than two individuals are selected, and honorees may be recognized posthumously. Nominees are considered based on several criteria, including:
Outstanding service to the objectives of the Ada High School Alumni Association
Service with distinction in their profession and/or community
A clear and meaningful expression of loyalty to Ada High School
These recognitions shine a light on individuals who embody the Bulldog spirit and inspire current and future generations of students.
Introducing the 2026 Hall of Honor Inductees
This year, Ada Schools is honored to welcome the following distinguished individuals into the Ada High School Hall of Honor:
Mike Lenhart
Mike Lenhart, a proud member of the Ada High School Class of 1973, has dedicated his life to service, community, and the continued success of Ada Schools. After graduation, Mike spent 21 years with Westinghouse/Sundstrand in Lima, where he tested military and domestic aircraft generators.
In 1995, Mike returned to his alma mater to serve as the Maintenance, Grounds, and Transportation Supervisor for Ada Schools, a position he held for 25 years. He is widely known for his incredible work ethic and the tremendous amount of time and care he poured into the district—always leaving things better than when he found them. For the past five years, he has continued to support the district as Assistant Maintenance Supervisor. Among his many contributions, Mike considers one of his most memorable achievements to be his involvement in the planning and construction of the new Ada school building, a three-year project completed in 2008.
Beyond his professional work, Mike has been an active member of the Ada Lions Club for more than 20 years, demonstrating the same spirit of service that has defined his life.
Mike and his wife, Beverly, an Ada alumna from the Class of 1969, have been married for 49 years. They are the proud parents of three Ada graduates: Ange Simon (Class of 1989), Joshua Lenhart (Class of 1996), and Emily Courtney (Class of 2006). Their family has since grown to include six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Mike’s lifelong dedication, hard work, and unwavering commitment to Ada Schools and the Ada community reflect the very best of Bulldog pride, making him a deeply deserving inductee into the Ada Alumni Hall of Honor.
David Lusk
Dave Lusk was born and raised in Lima, Ohio, and is a proud product of the Lima City Schools. He graduated as valedictorian of his class of 519 students in 1976. He went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from Ohio Northern University, graduating with high distinction, and later completed a master’s degree from the University of Findlay.
Mr. Lusk dedicated his entire teaching career to Ada Schools, where he inspired generations of students through Chemistry, Advanced Chemistry, Physics, and Physical Science. Throughout his tenure, he served as Science Department Chair and advised multiple student organizations, including 40 years as Quiz Bowl advisor, 30 years with Student Council, and 25 years with the National Honor Society. He also proudly notes his one-day tenure as a tennis coach.
Beyond the classroom, Mr. Lusk has continued his passion for teaching as adjunct faculty at Ohio Northern University and has served in similar roles at Miami University, The Ohio State University, Bowling Green State University, and the University of Findlay.
Deeply involved in the Ada community, Mr. Lusk has coached Black Swamp Soccer, T-Ball, G-Ball, and Pee Wee Baseball, and currently serves as head coach of the Ada Gators summer swim team. He is a certified lay speaker in the United Methodist Church and serves as a part-time pastor at Rhinehart UMC. He is also active at Ada First UMC, where he serves on the Leadership Team. In recognition of his service, Mr. Lusk was named the Ada Chamber of Commerce Distinguished Citizen of the Year in 2023.
Mr. Lusk enjoys playing the saxophone and is an avid Cincinnati Reds fan, as well as a devoted student of baseball history and trivia. A roller coaster enthusiast, he maintains, contrary to Walt Disney, that Cedar Point is truly the “Happiest Place on Earth.”
With a career and life dedicated to education, service, and community, Mr. Dave Lusk exemplifies the excellence and spirit celebrated in the Ada Alumni Hall of Honor.
Both inductees exemplify the values of dedication, leadership, and service that the Hall of Honor was created to celebrate.
Join Us in Celebration
The Hall of Honor Reception is open to the community, alumni, students, families, and friends. Special Recognition of the following Classes: 1951 (75th), 1956, 1961, 1966, 1971, 1976 (50th), 1981, 1986, 1991, 1996, 2001 (25th), 2006, 2011, 2016, 2021 will be done at halftime. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear the stories of this year’s inductees and celebrate their impact on Ada Schools and beyond.