Class of 2009 - Warrenton

Hall of Fame - Class of 2009
Lloyd Little - Alumni/Athlete
Lloyd Little graduated from Warrenton High School in 1970. He played football and basketball being
named All-League in football twice and All-League in basketball once. He was selected to play in the
Shrine football game following his senior year. Lloyd also ran track and played baseball his senior year
after the sport returned to WHS after a six-year hiatus. In addition to his demonstrated prowess in
athletics, he was also the student body president and the valedictorian of his class.
After high school, Lloyd attended and graduated from Pacific University where he competed in football
and basketball all four years. To recognize his contributions to that institution, he was inducted into their
Hall of Fame. He has made a life of helping others, choosing to spend his life coaching and teaching
young people.
Hall of Fame - Class of 2009
Diane Collier - Alumni/Community Supporter
Diane Collier, a 1958 graduate of WHS, was a longtime employee of the District and is widely accepted as
the local Warrenton historian. She worked for the Warrenton-Hammond School District for many years as
the Director of Transportation and has been an integral part of preserving the history of the community of
Warrenton. She participated in the creation of the Lighthouse Museum and is still active in making its
historical displays and information available to the public.
She is a member of many community committees and still remains a positive influence on those associated
with her. Diane is a true hometown town hero that has made Warrenton a better place to live.
Hall of Fame - Class of 2009
Pat Johanson - Alumni/Meritorious Career
Pat Johanson is a 1977 graduate of Warrenton High School and has enjoyed an illustrious career as an
educator and working with the hearing impaired as they strive to reach their goals. Pat earned Bachelors
and Masters Degrees from Brigham Young University and a Ph. D. from George Washington University in
Washington, D.C. She was the director of the National Commission on Education of the Deaf and was a
Professor of Business at Gallaudet University for a number of years.
In 2006, she established the "Jessie Wallace Scholarship", named after her high school coach, which is
awarded to WHS graduating seniors who have achieved academically and athletically while doing so
exhibiting outstanding sportsmanship, work ethic, and class. Pat never forgot Warrenton High School and
always recognized the role it played in her own success.
Hall of Fame - Class of 2009
Ward Plummer - Alumni/ Meritorious Career
Ward Plummer may well be Warrenton's most famous physicist. The 1958 graduate of Warrenton High
School earned degrees from Lewis & Clark College and completed his education with a Ph. D from
Cornell University in 1968. He began his career at the National Bureau of Standards, then worked and
conducted research at the University of Pennsylvania and was appointed the William Smith Professor of
Physics in 1988. In 1983, he received the prestigious Davisson-Germer Prize from the American Physical
Society. Dr. Plummer moved to the University of Tennessee in 1993 and won the Welch Award and was
elected to the National Academy of Sciences during his tenure there. In 2007, he took his skills to
Louisiana State University where he presently serves as a Special Assistant to the Vice Chancellor and a
Professor of Physics and Astronomy.
Ward Plummer has truly distinguished himself as one of Warrenton most accomplished scholars and it is
noted that, with all his success, he chose to single out Mrs. Trullinger, his high school math teacher, as the
one who inspired him to pursue a career in science. Mrs. Trullinger would be honored to know she had
this king of influence on one of her students.
Hall of Fame - Class of 2009
Dusty McGrorty - Alumni/Athlete
Dusty McGrorty graduated from Warrenton High School in 1999 and from Southern Oregon University.
He holds the distinction of being recognized as the best football player to ever graduate from both
institutions. As a Warrior running back, Dusty broke 29 school records and at least fifteen state records
during his high school career. He rushed for 4,723 yards, averaging 8.9 yards per carry every time he
touched the ball on his way to scoring 65 touchdowns. Dusty once ran for 403 yards in a single half. He
was named the Oregon State offensive and Defensive Player of the Year his senior year in football and was
a state champion wrestler that same year.
As a collegiate at SOU, Dusty McGrorty set an NAIA record scoring 75 touchdowns during his four-year
career there. He was a 3-time NAIA All-American, an AFCA All-American, a 3rd team AP Little AllAmerican and the 2004 recipient of the Ad Rutschman Award that recognizes the Outstanding Small
College Athlete of the Year. With all these accolades, he lists his proudest accomplishment as "earning
my degree".
Dusty played professional football for two years as a member of the St. Louis Rams and was consistently
appreciated for his work ethic and toughness.
Hall of Fame - Class of 2009
Loren Gramson - Alumni/Athlete
1966 Warrenton graduate Loren Gramson finished his basketball career as the all-time leading scorer and
rebounder. He scored 1,434 points and garnered 902 boards during his four years as a varsity starter for
the Warriors. He still sits atop the rebounding chart and is currently the number scorer in school history.
He was the first WHS athlete to be a four-time first team All-League selection and is still the only
basketball player to be so honored. He was mentioned on the All-State team three times being named first
team his senior year.
Loren walked on at Oregon State before deciding to focus on academics and prepare for the rest of his life.
He has been a positive and supportive member of the Warrenton community his entire life and returned to
his alma mater to coach, guiding the girl's from 1977-79 and the boy's from 1994-96.
Hall of Fame - Class of 2009
1981 Boys Basketball Team
The 1981 Boys Basketball Team compiled a record of 20-8 on their way to a Northwest League
Championship and a berth in the State Basketball Tournament. They defeated Enterprise 50-48 and St.
Mary's 68-58 to earn a trip to the championship game. They were defeated by Scio 65-63 in overtime and
finished the season at the state tournament runners-up. The team consisted of the following players and
coaches: Head Coach Bob Cole, Assistant Coach Darcy Bjork, Don Bryan, Mike Engebretson, Brad
Hendrickson, Eric (P.D.) Huddleston, Russ Maize, Tracy Miller, Willie Nyberg, Hap Puckett, Kelly
Smotherman, and Ray Sutton.
This team achieved athletically but has been lauded by many for their accomplishments as a true team of
individuals, who accepted their individual roles and meshed as a single unit to reach unexpected heights.
Those who had the privilege of working with these young men agree that they represented themselves,
their families, their school, and their community with class and while demonstrating sportsmanship. They
exemplified what a true team represents.
From Left to right: Ray Sutton, Don Bryan, Willie Nyberg, Mike Engebretson, Russ Maize, Coach Bob
Cole, Tracy Miller, P.D. Huddleston, Brad Hendrickson, Kelly Smotherman, and Hap Puckett.