Bill Marvin named to WHS Hall of Fame

In the summer of 1995, I worked a three month internship at The Warroad Pioneer, which I'm sorry to say has since ceased operation. This was the first professional newspaper that I worked for in my career, and it turned out to be a wonderful experience. I had only worked at Bemidji State University's newspaper for about a year and half before landing the internship. At The Pioneer I gained experience in sports, feature, beat and government reporting. I designed pages, took and developed photographs and was responsible for community relations. The best part is that I remain friends with the owners nearly 30 years later.

July 11, 1995

By Devlyn Brooks

Bill Marvin has given much to the Warroad community, and for a change, Marvin was the recipient of a gift from the Warroad community.

At the annual Warroad school Alumni Banquet Monday, July 3, Marvin was the recipient of the first-ever Warroad High School Outstanding Alumni Achievement Award.

A very stunned Marvin accepted the award, feeling honored, he later said.

Jim Krahn, a member of the Alumni Banquet committee, announced the soon-to-be annual award to the gathering.

"Your Alumni Committee has established an award which will be presented annually at this Alumni Banquet," Krahn said.

He explained that this award was going to be an "academic award." He said that "there are several halls of fame for sports achievements." So this award "will concentrate on academic and civic achievements." He added that "sports figures" would not be eliminated from receiving the award, however.

"This year, the Alumni Committee has chosen a recipient," Krahn said. "Although this individual has received many other honors and awards, he was not chosen for that reason."

Krahn said that two words came to mind when the thought of Marvin: dedication and stability.

"Few other than his family will ever know the time, effort and dedication that this man gave to reach his goal," he said. "That goal was employment and opportunities for Warroad and its graduates. Many of here tonight have benefited from his goal, dedication and stability."

Krahn then spoke of Marvin's stability in all areas of his life, including his family, business, goals and dedication.

"To achieve your goal can be an awesome responsibility, something that you take home with you every night," Krahn said. "I personally have been a benefactor of this man's goal. Join with me in honoring Bill Marvin as the first, and very deserving, recipient of this award."

Marvin later said that he didn't have any idea that he was going to receive the award.

"This one was a total surprise," he said, a couple days later. "As a matter of fact, I'm still a little stunned."

Marvin received a plaque in recognition, and also has his named engraved on a plaque that will list all future recipients as well. That plaque will hang in Security State Bank until this fall when it will be placed in the school.

"It's especially nice to be honored by your friends, neighbors and community," Marvin said. "I am very honored that they would choose me because there are so many who have helped the school and the community."