July 11th, 2023 by WCBC Radio
The We Are Fort Hill Committee will induct the late Hazel Elaine Lawler, class of 1974, and Francis “Pat” Yarnall, class of 1941, into the Fort Hill Hall of Fame at the annual luncheon in September.
Hazel Lawler was a cum laude graduate of the University of Maryland School of Nursing and attended Virginia Commonwealth University as a graduate student in nursing. She served as a nurse in hospitals in Cumberland, Hagerstown, and Charlotte, NC, prior to moving to Clifton, VA. During her tenure at Sacred Heart Hospital in Cumberland, she was Head Nurse of the Pediatric Unit. After her move to VA, she was a program coordinator for the Alleghany Highlands Community Services Board from 1986-1998. Prior to Congress mandating that individual states provide services to families of children born with disabilities from the time they are born, Lawler knew providing these services at the very beginning of life would have a significant impact for children and their families. With the support of the Alleghany Highlands Services Board, Lawler spearheaded Project Impact as she became involved in every aspect of early intervention, including serving on the perinatal and interagency coordinating councils. Prior to her passing in 1996, Project Impact was renamed the Hazel E. Lawler Children’s Center in Alleghany Highlands. Her legacy continues at the children’s center in Clifton Forge, VA today.
Francis Yarnall enlisted in the U. S. Navy immediately after high school graduation in 1941. He served as an aviation machinist in North Africa during War II. After serving in World War II, he utilized the GI Bill to attend Potomac State College prior to transferring to West Virginia University where he graduated with honors and majored in mechanical engineering. As a student at West Virginia University, he was inducted into Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society that only considers the top one percent of engineering students. After graduation, he was employed as an engineer for the Westinghouse Atomic Research Center in Pittsburgh, PA. Working directly with Admiral Hyman Rickover, the father of the Nuclear Navy, Yarnall and his team developed reactors and control systems for the Nuclear Navy as well as the first Breeder Reactor in Shippingport, PA. His work at the Westinghouse Atomic Research Center was integral to the Cold War effort and the development of the use of nuclear power as a defense weapon.
The committee will posthumously honor Lawler and will honor Yarnall at a luncheon scheduled for noon on Saturday, September 9th, in the school’s courtyard. Tickets are $35.00 if purchased by August 15th and are $45.00 after that date.Tickets are available in the school’s main office. Nominations for next year’s Hall of Fame are accepted until January 31, 2024. Nominees must have graduated from Fort Hill at least 15 years ago and selections are based on significant achievements in lifetime endeavors. Nomination forms are available at www.forthillhs.com
