The Seneca Valley School Board has approved a proposal to rename the middle school after a graduate who was killed while fighting overseas.
Sgt. 1st Class Ryan Gloyer was only 34 years old and a Green Beret when he died while fighting enemy forces in Afghanistan in support of Operation Freedom Sentinel. He died in November of 2016.
Late last month, a group of students and one recent Seneca Valley graduate gave a presentation to the school board on why the district should rename the building the Ryan Gloyer Middle School.
The change will go into effect for the 2018-19 school year.
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Ryan Gloyer’s father, Richard “Dick” Gloyer, says having a school renamed after his son would be, of course, a great honor, but it’s even more than that.
“It allows Ryan’s legacy to live on and it honors his service and sacrifice,” Dick Gloyer said in an interview.
After graduating from Seneca Valley in 2000, Ryan Gloyer earned a teaching degree from Thiel College before enlisting in the Army and eventually becoming a Green Beret. His dad says his took him three tries over a 10 year period to become one.
“Ryan was always striving for excellence. And he pushed on through a number of obstacles and setbacks to achieve his dream,” he said. “Young people trying to figure out who they are, and where they fit in…these are great life lessons for them. Ryan’s legacy will help them.”
The Seneca Valley School Board will discuss renaming the facility the Ryan Gloyer Middle School at tonight’s meeting.
