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Broadway and beyond now know what Wheeling Park High School speech and theater students throughout the decades have always known -- that their teacher, Bill Cornforth, is a superstar.
Park graduate Joana Tsuhlares and a gaggle of other former students surprised Cornforth last week with the news that he earned honorable mention for a Tony Award for excellence in theater education. More than 700 teachers throughout the United States were nominated.
Only 18 received that designation.
There's no doubt that Cornforth is more than deserving of that recognition. At first working with longtime speech and theater teacher Fran Schoolcraft and then taking the lead following Schoolcraft's retirement, Cornforth has guided the Wheeling Park speech and debate team to a staggering 42 straight state championships and coached numerous national finalists.
He also has led a theater program that has performed wonderful plays and musicals worthy of the gorgeous confines of the J.B. Chambers Performing Arts Center.
Perhaps the greatest testament to Cornforth's influence is that Tsuhlares was required to include only three letters of recommendation to nominate Cornforth for the Tony Award. She ultimately sent 50 with the nomination package. When dozens of former students jump at the chance to sing your praises, you know you're doing something right.
And Bill Conforth has. He is a caring, compassionate educator who has cultivated a love of performing, be it on stage or in a speech competition room, for countless students in Ohio County. For the Tonys to recognize that is a fitting tribute to his contributions.