Alumni Hall of Fame 2021
Commander Jeffrey Briggs, USN -1974 Graduate of Lakeview High School
Jeffrey Briggs was a 1974 graduate of Lakeview High School. While at Lakeview, he lettered in basketball and baseball and played the trumpet in the band. After graduation, Jeff joined the US Navy and completed nuclear power training as a reactor operator. In 1976 the Secretary of the Navy appointed him to the Naval Academy, graduating in 1980 with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering degree. While in the Navy, Commander Briggs was sent twice to France with his family where he was an exchange pilot in a French squadron and attended the French Naval War College. He spent twenty years as a naval aviator and participated in the Grenada, Beirut, Bosnia, and Iraq conflicts. After his retirement from the Navy in 1998, he went on to teach physics and mathematics at Commodore Perry High School for twenty years. While at Commodore Perry, Mr. Briggs served as the athletic director and coached boys’ and girls' basketball, girls' volleyball, cross country, and track.
Jeff married Cynthia Waybright, also a Lakeview graduate, and they had four children: Michael, Lindsey, Daniel, and Katherine. All of his children went on to serve their country in the United States Armed Forces. Mr. Briggs is active in competitive pistol and bench rest rifle shooting and plays keyboards at his church.
Dr. Jason McCandless-1989 Graduate of Lakeview High School
Jason McCandless was a 1989 graduate of Lakeview High School. After graduation, he attended Grove City College where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Literature & Communications. Dr. McCandless received a Master of Education in Educational Leadership from the University of Virginia in 2000 and his Ed. D. in Educational Leadership from Boston College in 2002. Jason started his career in education as a high school English teacher at Louisa County High School where he would later become an assistant principal. In 2002, he moved into the role of principal at Lee Middle and High School in Lee, MA. He later became the Superintendent of the Lee Public Schools and Union #29, leading the way in dramatically realigning curriculum. More recently, Dr. McCandless has been the Superintendent of Pittsfield Public Schools and Mt. Greylock Regional School District. He is most known for his collaborative efforts to move school districts forward, building cohesive teams and “never forgetting (that) he is dealing with people first”. In 2016, he was awarded the New England Association of Schools and Colleges Jacob Ludes III Leadership Award. Dr. McCandless sits on the Board of Trustees, Berkshire Financial Services, Board of Trustees, Lee Bank Foundation, Board of Directors United Cerebral Palsy of Western Massachusetts, and several educational advisory boards. He is a member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.
Dr. Jason McCandless and his wife Tamara are the proud parents of Ethan, Eamon, and Meredith.
Cindy McCartney Wetzel- 1975 Graduate of Lakeview High School
Cindy McCartney Wetzel was a 1975 graduate of Lakeview High School. She went on to continue her education at the Sharon General School of Nursing, graduating in 1978. While there, she received the Miss Hope of Mercer County Award representing the American Cancer Society. Cindy graduated from Pennsylvania State University in 1987 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree and a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), from Gannon University in 1993. In 2013, Cindy graduated from Waynesburg University with a Doctorate of Nursing Practice degree. Cindy is a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) board certified in advanced practice (ACNS-BC), from the American Nurses Credentialing Center and certified by the American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN), as an advanced practice critical care nurse (CCNS), and bedside critical care nurse (CCRN). She was in the first 200 nurses in the country to be certified as a heart failure nurse (CHFN) by the American Association of Heart Failure Nurses (AAHFN). In her diverse career, she has obtained experience in clinical, education and leadership roles.
Cindy was instrumental in developing high acuity patient care programs for local facilities, pioneered the CNS role at both Sharon Regional Medical Center and Salem Regional Medical Center and developed and implemented a heart failure coordinator program decreasing heart failure readmissions. Cindy has presented on multiple topics at the Northeastern Ohio Association of Critical Care Nurses chapter meetings, American Association of Heart Failure Nurses and the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialist national conference.
Dr. Wetzel is a member of the American Association of Heart Failure Nurses, National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists, American Association of Critical Care Nurses, and the Northeast Ohio Association of Critical Care Nurses. She has also been a preceptor for Kent State University and Youngstown State University for advanced practice nurses.
Cindy married the late Bruce Wetzel in 1987. She played clarinet in high school with the honor of participating in District band. She continues to play in the Mercer County Community Band, Buhl Community Band and Lawrence County Community Band and is active in her church.
2021 Honorary Sailor
Taylor Cotton
Taylor Cotton was a 1957 graduate of Keystone Joint High School. He went on to graduate from Clarion University in 1962 with a Bachelor of Science in Education. After his college graduation, Taylor was stationed in Germany while serving in the United States Army. Mr. Cotton began teaching at Lakeview High School in 1968. While at Lakeview, he was the librarian. He actively led the Literary Guild throughout his career and planned trips to places like Philadelphia, Detroit, and New York City for the members. He retired from the Lakeview School District in 1999.
Taylor and his late wife, Donna, were married March 28, 1964. They had one son, Taylor Cotton Jr. Together, Taylor and Donna owned and operated a sheep and horse farm as well as a concessions trailer that sold donuts. He is well known locally for shoeing horses and giving carriage rides at weddings. Mr. Cotton is a member of the Masons, Shriners, and Sandy Lake Odd Fellows. He has one grandson, Taylor Cotton III.