PARSIPPANY — Parsippany High School inducted their 2018 Hall of Fame Class on Tuesday, February 13. This year’s induction class consists of two impressive members: Andrew “Andy” Ladas graduated from PHS in 1994 and Michael Yesunas graduated from PHS in 1969.
Andrew “Andy” Ladas graduated from PHS in 1994. A strong student in addition to a being a tough wrestler and an outstanding soccer player, Andy was super-involved while at PHS and was loved by his classmates and teachers for his sense of humor, kindness and competitiveness. He was one of five Ladas children to attend Par High including his twin brother Stephen and his sisters Vanessa, Cindy and Christina (also a Par High Hall of Famer). Andy attended Central Connecticut College with his brother Stephen where they played soccer for four years. After college Andy began his extensive commitment to community service. He is a Board Member of the Parsippany Education Foundation which provides educational grants to Parsippany teachers. In honor of his father, he also awards two scholarships each year (one to each high school) through the Tom Ladas Memorial Scholarship Fund.
A lover of sports, Andy is also a Board Member of the Parsippany Soccer Club where he volunteers as a coach and serves as Treasurer and Co-Director of the Parsippany Pride Soccer Tournament. Andy has also been heavily involved in Christian Youth Programs in the community. He currently runs the middle school youth group for Christ the King Church and opens up his own home twice a month for meetings, fun activities and to plan service projects. Andy has also led three high school mission trips to Cap Haitien, Haiti, delivering supplies and providing meals for the local impoverished families. He even organizes soccer clinics for the children. Andy Ladas is a fine example of the type of person we want to produce at Par High. He is intelligent, kind, hard-working and generous. Andy has devoted his life to helping others and to making a difference. We appreciate all that he has done for the town of Parsippany and for people in need.
Mike Yesunas was a mainstay at Parsippany High School for over 30 years as a student, an athlete, an educator, a coach and a mentor. As a student, Mike excelled in the classroom and on the athletic fields, participating in Football and Track & Field. After graduating from PHS, Mike attended Montclair State University where he majored in Physical Education and Health. Upon his graduation, he returned to his alma mater and started his career as a Health and Physical Education teacher at Par High. As a teacher, Mr. Yesunas was positive, encouraging, organized and caring. He worked hard every day to make sure his students were getting the most out of themselves and developing a life-long love of fitness. Mike served as the Head Football Coach from 1984-1989 after serving as an Assistant Coach for many years prior. He was also an Assistant Coach for Wrestling and a Throwing Coach for Track & Field.
After finishing up his coaching career, Mike served as the Athletic Site Coordinator at PHS where he quickly became a steadying presence in our Athletic Department. From readying fields, to coordinating officials, to organizing equipment, Mike was an asset to administrators, coaches and athletes and served as a great ambassador for Parsippany High School.
Through it all, Mike Yesunas was a devoted and knowledgeable educator who loved working with student-athletes and the PHS community. He was respected and appreciated for his pride in PHS and his tireless work ethic and belief in the community he came from. Mike is a proud Par High Alumni, and we are proud to have him.
The entire list of inductees into the Parsippany High School Hall of Fame include, George P. Johnson, Roy Baker, Ltc. Mark T. Little, Jack Mott, Annette Delaney Ricciuti, George W. Wesner, Garrett E. Reisman, Lisa Codella-Pesci, Robert Martin, Michael Codella, Dolores Femister, Anthony R. Scatton, Jr., Gary Vittorio, Philip Meehan, David Guida, John Karolchyk, Christina Ladas, Doris McManus, Francine “Micky” Walsh, Bruce Biddison, Randy Frankel, Patricia Behnke, James Vigilante, Jack Pruden, Suzanne Rubenstein, Violet Schicke, Colonel Harold F. Gantert, David Shaffer, 1986 Girls’ Softball Team, Harold Feintuch, Victor Labbate M.D., Roy Helmlinger, Ron Foreso, Dragan “Dan” Ilic, Robert Peluso, Michael Pignatelli, Jerry Russo, 1965 Boys Basketball Team, Clarence Curry III, Ann Greiner, Nancy Russo Petryna, Dr. Jon Molinare, 1977 Football Team, Joe Bernabe, LeRoy Williams Collins, Jr., Fei-Fei Li, Robert Sabella, Andrew Landas and Michael Yesunas.
