An FBI agent, a clinical research coordinator and a successful businessman are the three latest additions to the Dunklin R-5 School District’s Blackcat Hall of Fame.
The three new members – Herculaneum High School graduates Jason Ramsey and Kaitlyn Fischer and alumnus Donald Thomas – were honored during a Sept. 16 banquet and hall of fame induction ceremony.
“This fall, we inducted two tremendous athletes and an admired businessman,” Superintendent Clint Freeman said. “Jason Ramsey and Kaityn Fischer took their skills and hard work to the next level, successfully running in college. Fischer received a full-ride scholarship to Mizzou. Today, Ramsey is a hero, earning medals while serving in the U.S. Navy and FBI. Fischer earned her master’s degree and works with cancer patients at Washington University’s Medical Oncology Department.
“Finally, there is Donald Thomas, the generous owner of Thomas Industrial Coatings. He continues to be a tremendous supporter of our school district despite never actually graduating from Herculaneum High School. However, some of our best and brightest alums now work for Donnie Thomas.”
Freeman said it was a pleasure to visit with the three 2023 hall of fame inductees at the banquet.
“The hall of fame banquet is always inspiring,” he said. “When you hear successful people recall conversations in high school that helped shape their future, it reminds us of the value of a solid foundation. While colleges and hometowns are quick to claim credit for someone’s success, it all starts with their K-12 education.”
Ramsey
Ramsey, a 1992 Herculaneum High graduate, has been an FBI agent since 2008 and is the senior team leader for the agency’s Kansas City Special Operations SWAT Team.
He said he appreciated being inducted into the Blackcat Hall of Fame.
“To be honored in the school that made me who I am today was an achievement that stands above most I have received in life,” he said. “To know the school I have given so much to as an athlete recognized the sacrifice of not only myself, but also the coaches who spent such long days and years molding me, made me a success.”
He said several of his high school coaches left a lasting impression.
“My greatest moment at Herculaneum was winning the state championship in track and field,” Ramsey said. “Coaches (Jim) Kasten and (Steve) Drinnen worked endless hours with me to develop my skills.”
Ramsey also acknowledged his Herculaneum football coach, Stan Helms.
“Fetting to the state championship in football was the event that gave me the discipline and drive that has earned me a spot on the FBI Special Operations SWAT Team, of which I am currently the team leader,” Ramsey said. “(Helms) believed in me long before anyone else did and nobody taught me more life lessons and how to become a strong, disciplined adult, which allows me to do all the different skills I performed as a professional decathlete, what I did in the military and what I do today as an FBI agent SWAT team leader.”
Ramsey, 49, lives in Kansas City and has three children. He worked on the FBI New York Special Operations SWAT Team prior to joining the one in Kansas City.
Fischer
Fischer, a 2013 Herculaneum High graduate, is a clinical research coordinator for the Siteman Cancer Center at Washington University.
She said she felt “super honored” to join others in the Blackcat Hall of Fame, especially her fellow inductees, Ramsey and Thomas.
“The two people I was inducted with, their achievements are so outstanding,” she said. “I almost felt undeserving.”
Fischer, a superior long-distance runner, raced on Herculaneum’s cross country and track and field teams, winning many honors at state competitions.
“I was an eight-time state champion,” she said. “I won a state title in cross country and seven gold medals in track. I went on to run cross country and track at Mizzou.”
Among her other high school honors was winning Jefferson County Female Athlete of the Year in 2013, graduating fourth in her class, participating in the Missouri Girls State program and getting voted homecoming queen.
Fischer said she immediately took to distance running when she got to Herculaneum High.
“One of the best memories from high school was running my freshman year,” she said. “I was so new to it and I remember getting to run with the senior captains.”
She earned a bachelor’s degree in human development from the University of Missouri in Columbia and a master’s degree in positive coaching from the university’s education department. She continued to win honors for academics and athletics in college.
Fischer, 29, lives in Kirkwood.
“I still run, though not every day like I used to,” she said. “But, I still love to run.”
Thomas
Thomas, who attended Herculaneum High but left school before graduating, has made significant contributions to the Dunklin School District and the community over the years, school officials said.
He founded Thomas Industrial Coatings, which is based in Jefferson County but has business operations around the country and abroad.
“It’s industrial painting throughout the United States, as well as in Japan and Guam,” Thomas said. “We do government work in Japan and Guam.”
Matt Lichtenstein, the Dunklin district’s communications director, said Thomas’ company has completed projects in every building in the school district.
“Many times, the labor and materials were donated,” Lichtenstein said. “Moreover, he funds scholarships for students.
“There are 11 of our former students working in high-level positions at his company. Among his employees is Andy Runzi, the former Herculaneum High School principal and the namesake of our baseball-softball field.”
Thomas said he fondly remembers his time in the district.
“I spent my childhood in Dunklin schools,” Thomas said. “I have positive memories from my time in Dunklin.”
Thomas, 79, and his wife, Claudia, live in Horine. They have been married for 35 years and have four children.
He said he appreciates the opportunity to help others.
“I’m a giver at heart,” he said. “I’ve been blessed.”
Thomas said he was gratified to join the Blackcat Hall of Fame.
“In my opinion, for being a high school dropout, it’s a very distinguished honor,” Thomas said. “I’m honored to be included in the Dunklin R-5 Hall of Fame.”