School & Community News

2018 Inductee to Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Long overdue induction of the Cars to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Valley Forge alumnus Benjamin Orr (Orzechowski) was the Cars' founding member and bassist, perhaps best known for his vocals on the song "Drive", which was the Cars' biggest international hit.

New Book On WrestlingFocuses on Valley Forge Rivalry

What happens when Dellinger Award winning writer Jim Kalin interviews America’s greatest wrestlers about one of the most legendary coaches in any sport, National Wrestling Hall of Fame member Mike Milkovich? The result is MUSTANG.

Milkovich was only the third high school coach ever to be inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, and his Maple Heights Mustangs captured ten Ohio State Championships and finished runner-up eight times.

Milkovich found the biggest challenges with the Parma school system's three high school teams, and none was a bigger rival than Valley Forge. MUSTANG chronicles some of the big clashes, and there's much on their legendary 1967 dual that took place at Valley Forge. Former coaches Steve Rudo and Pat Semary appear throughout the book, as do many former Patriot wrestlers.

For More Information, please visit: www.mustangthebook.com or call 323.456.3299.

Death Notice for Ralph C. Chope, Jr., VF Class of 1974

Ralph C. Chope, Jr., 54, a 1974 Valley Forge alumnus, died January 30, 2011 at his home in Powell, Ohio, following a 16-month battle with brain cancer. Loving husband of Paula (nee Yetzer) and father of Andrew. Beloved son of Ethyl Bendler (nee Goodworth), Ralph C. Chope, Sr. and E. Perry Bendler; brother of Lynn Orlosky (Greg), Barbara Bendler Gannon, Linda Bendler Beveridge, Scott Bendler (Tracy) and Beth Bendler; uncle, nephew and cousin of many. Ralph was a 1980 graduate of The Ohio State University, where he earned a bachelor of science degree in Communications, and a 1997 graduate of Ashland University, where he earned a Masters degree in Christian Education. A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, February 20, 2011 at Grace Point Community Church, 2393 Peachblow Road, Lewis Center, Ohio at 1:30 p.m. A Memorial Service will also be held Saturday, February 26, 2001 at 2p.m., at Ridgewood United Methodist Church, 6330 Ridge Road, Parma, Ohio.