GALVESTON — A group of Galveston alumni and community leaders were recognized Wednesday evening as part of the 2026 Galveston Public Schools Hall of Honor, bringing together honorees, students, alumni, families and community members to celebrate their contributions to the island and Galveston ISD.

The event, sponsored by Johnny Smecca and Galveston ISD, began around 6 p.m. with Mike Dudas serving as master of ceremonies. The program included an invocation and blessing by Rev. Dr. William Randall Jr., followed by remarks from Galveston ISD Superintendent Dr. Matthew Neighbors.

The evening also included introductions of the Board of Trustees and recognition of the Hall of Honor Committee before the 2026 class was formally recognized.

This year’s honorees represented a range of professions and contributions, including military service, government, athletics, industry, education and community service.

Among those recognized was Capt. George Halsey Peets Jr., a 1926 graduate of Ball High School and 1931 graduate of Texas A&M University. Peets served in the U.S. military during World War II and was deployed to the Philippines with the 31st Infantry Regiment. He fought during the defense of Bataan before being captured and held as a prisoner of war for more than two years. Peets later died in the Philippines in December 1944 and is memorialized as Missing in Action at the Manila American Cemetery.

Jimmy De Los Santos, a 1985 Ball High School graduate, was recognized for more than two decades of service with the Galveston Police Department, along with leadership roles with the Galveston Municipal Police Association and Texas Municipal Police Association. He continues his public-service career as a lieutenant with the Bayou Vista Police Department and is the owner of DLS Security & Investigations.

De Los Santos said he was honored to have been selected.

“I’m more than honored, mainly happy and proud that the kids liked me enough to nominate me, and the committee chose me,” De Los Santos said. “I’m just happy to be here.”

The athletics category included several accomplished Ball High alumni.

Larry York, a member of the Class of 1972, was Ball High’s first African American No. 1 tennis player, team captain and district champion. He later became a four-year tennis scholarship recipient at Sam Houston State University and went on to work in sports and entertainment. York also founded the Athletes in Acting Awards, the Hand Up Foundation and, in 2025, the Galveston County All-Sports Reunion.

Michael Holmes, a 1969 Ball High graduate, went on to play college football at Texas Southern University before being selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the first round of the 1973 NFL Draft. Holmes played professionally for the 49ers, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins and Winnipeg Blue Bombers and later worked in youth recreation and coaching.

“It’s a great honor to know that people have respect for what you’ve done,” Holmes said. “It’s good to be home.”

Ronald Holmes, also a 1969 Ball High graduate, continued a career in athletics as a player, coach and educator. He earned All-District and All-State honors at Ball High before playing at Texas Southern University. He later coached at Forest Brook High School in Houston and returned to Ball High as head football coach, where he guided the Tors to 31 victories.

In the industry category, Michele Falk Hay, a 1986 Ball High graduate, was recognized for more than 17 years of work in economic development in Galveston. She previously served as vice president of the Galveston Economic Development Partnership and currently serves as economic development coordinator for the City of Galveston. Her work has included initiatives involving economic growth, tourism, aviation and development on the island.

The community service category included Angela Taylor, a 1989 Ball High graduate and longtime community leader. Taylor spent 15 years as the first African American Community News Editor at The Galveston County Daily News before moving into her current role with Coastal Community Federal Credit Union. She has remained heavily involved with Galveston schools and alumni organizations and currently serves as president of the Galveston Public Schools Hall of Honor Committee.

Taylor said her involvement with the alumni community has continued since she graduated.

“People think I’m automatically nominated, but I had to be nominated,” Taylor said. “You have to give back to the city and the district. We’re looking for people still heavily involved, but I was super excited because of my love for the school.”

Also recognized was Dyann Polzin, who has spent more than 50 years working in public education and student success. Her career with Galveston ISD has included teaching, counseling, campus leadership and district administration. She has served in numerous district leadership positions and currently works as the district’s Human Capital Development Director.

Together, the 2026 Hall of Honor class represents several generations of Galveston graduates and community members whose careers and service have extended well beyond the classroom.

The Hall of Honor ceremony provided an opportunity for the district and community to recognize those contributions while bringing together current students, alumni and families to celebrate the legacy of Galveston public schools.