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Schenectady High School
May 18, 2010

Howard Lorch and Don Weeks
to be named to SCSD Hall of Fame

The Schenectady City School District is pleased to announce that Howard "Howie" Lorch (Linton High School, 1962) and Don Weeks (Nott Terrace High School, 1956) will be named to the Schenectady City School District Hall of Fame in 2011. They will be recognized at the 2011 high school graduation ceremony on June 24, 2011 at Proctor’s Theatre.

The Hall of Fame was established in 1988 to recognize and honor graduates of Schenectady high schools who have had notable post-graduate careers and have distinguished themselves in their life’s work and commitment to community.

About the Inductees

Howard "Howie" Lorch

Howard "Howie" Lorch, whose parents were survivors of the Holocaust, is a 1962 graduate of Linton High School. He also attended Lincoln Elementary and Central Park Junior High School.

Lorch overcame personal learning obstacles with the help of his sixth grade teacher Mrs. Kennedy, who he claims set him on a path of success.

While at Linton High School, Lorch earned second team All County honors in football and served as manager of the basketball team for three consecutive years. The team was coached by the legendary Walt Przybylo. Lorch's management skills earned him a full scholarship

to the University of Houston, where he managed the basketball team and earned a B.S. and Master's Degree in Education. Lorch was later inducted into the University's Athletic Hall of Fame with the 1968 Final Four basketball team that was ranked #1 at the end of the regular season.

In 1969, Lorch embarked on a career in finance. At one point, he was told that he had more "people skills" than "business skills", but that didn't discourage him. Today, Lorch manages over $1.3 billion in assets and is one of the top individual producers with Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC Private Client Group. He has been recognized by Barron's Magazine as one of the Top 100 Financial Advisors in the United States in 2007 and 2008, as well as one of the Top 10 in Texas in 2009, 2010, and 2011.

Lorch has also been recognized with his partner in Research Magazine's Top 50 Financial Teams in the United States in 2008. He has consistently been ranked in the Top 20 nationally with Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC, which includes more that 15,000 representatives.

He is one of five individuals in the United States selected to the Research Magazine Financial Advisors Hall of Fame in 2007.

Lorch is a lifetime member of the University of Houston Alumni Association and has endowed a yearly athletic scholarship along with a substantial endowment to the University of Houston. He continues to support the Schenectady City School District, attend the Athletic Hall of Fame and Reunion celebrations and has provided financial support to the scholarship fund honoring Peter Famiano.

Don Weeks

Don Weeks, a 1956 graduate of Nott Terrace, was the voice of WGY radio for more than 30 years. Weeks also attended Halsey Elementary School and Central Park Middle School. After graduating from Nott Terrace High School, Weeks continued his education at Albany Business College.

Weeks credits high school teacher, Ms. Coe, as the influence and inspiration that pushed him to succeed.

Weeks began his media career 50 years ago when he held the position of "The Cartooning Weatherman" on WNYT. He was then offered a job from Walt Disney but chose to stay in the Capital Region so he could provide his children with "a sense of time, place, and family." Weeks never looked back but instead created a media show that held strong to its roots for 30 years. He has been referred to as "one of the real classy guys in this area."

Weeks is one of the Capital Region's most well-known and respected radio personalities. In 2005, he was awarded the Marconi Award from the National Association of Broadcasters for being the Personality of the Year for a mid-sized market. In 2008, he was inducted into the New York State Broadcasters Association's Hall of Fame. In 2010, Weeks was honored by the New York State Legislature and the U.S. Congress.

Weeks is also a Schenectady Patroon, one of the highest honors bestowed to a Schenectadian.

Weeks cites a personal promotional announcement spoken by Frank Sinatra as a highlight in his career.

Throughout his career, Weeks conducted many conversations on the air with well-known celebrities including actress Marilu Henner and comedian Bill Cosby. Weeks also provided support to various charitable events including the Children's Miracle Network to benefit the Children's Hospital at Albany Medical Center and the Red Cross Hometown Hero's Award Breakfast.

Weeks refers to himself as the "the guy down the street that people know," and "the friend that they want to hear every morning." Weeks has given from his heart to the Capital Region every day for 30 years.

It is with great honor that Howard Lorch and Don Weeks are inducted into the Schenectady City School District Hall of Fame.

Members of the Schenectady City School District Hall of Fame

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