Pentucket Regional School District Announces First Hall of Fame Class

Superintendent Justin Bartholomew and Principal Brenda Erhardt proudly announce the inaugural class of the Pentucket Regional School District Hall of Fame.

Nominees were sought in three categories: legacy employees, alumni, and school benefactors. The Nominations Committee reviewed candidates based on their commitment and service to the District, their embodiment of Pentucket’s core values, and impact on the school community.

The first Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place on Friday, Oct. 3, at 5 p.m. in the Middle High School gymnasium. The event is free and open to the public. The honorees also will be recognized at halftime of that evening’s Pentucket vs. Hamilton-Wenham football game, which begins at 7 p.m.

Members of the 2025 induction class are:

Tom Flaherty

A significant figure in Massachusetts high school football, Tom Flaherty coached Pentucket from 1963 to 1981 before moving to Milton Academy. He’s known for being honored in 2002 by the Eastern Massachusetts Chapter of the National Football Foundation for his decades of impact on the game.

A 2021 StoryCorps interview featured Flaherty praising the “beauty of coaching kids,” reflecting on his early years and long‑lasting influence. Tom also was the president of both public and private school coaches associations and the founder of private school football playoffs.

Maria (Nionakis) Stephanos

Maria Stephanos, a Groveland native and graduate of Pentucket Regional High School (Class of 1984), has become one of Boston’s most trusted news anchors. With more than 30 years of experience in New England, Maria is co-anchor of WCVB’s NewsCenter 5 newscasts at 4:30 p.m., 6 p.m., 7 p.m., and 11 p.m., as well as The 10 O’clock News on MeTV Boston. Previously, she was an anchor at WFXT (FOX25).

She has covered many major events — from the 9/11 attacks and the Boston Marathon bombings to World Series and Super Bowls — earning a sterling reputation for journalistic excellence.

Geralyn White Dreyfous

Geralyn White Dreyfous, Class of 1980,is a West Newbury native and an Academy Award-winning documentary producer. Following graduation from Pentucket, she attended Harvard University and began her professional career at programs such as “NOVA,” “Frontline” and “20/20.”

Dreyfous has produced 180 films, earning nominations for the Academy Award, Emmy Award, and Primetime Emmy. She has worked on two movies that have won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature: the 2004 documentary “Born into Brothels,” about Kolkata’s red-light district, and the 2021 movie “Navalny,” about Russian dissident Alexei Navalny.

In 2002, she founded the Utah Film Center in Salt Lake City, where she currently serves as board chair. She reflected on her Pentucket roots in a 2023 WHAV feature titled “Groveland Native Says Her Oscar‑Winning ‘Navalny’ Aims to Bring Justice.”

Steve Kidd

Steve Kidd, Class of 1993, is a nationally recognized actor, director, and educator based in Providence, R.I. A resident artist at The Gamm Theatre, he has performed in and directed over 50 professional productions. He founded The Gamm’s education department and its PLAY Project, which brings literacy-based theatre to schools, community centers, and prisons across southern New England.

His solo show, Sigh/Omelas, has raised over $500,000 for Camp AmeriKids, where he served as Program Director for 20 years. He has performed the piece for thousands of Pentucket students. Steve chairs the Performing Arts Department at Moses Brown School, teaches at Brown University, and lives in Rumford, R.I. with his wife and two sons.

Dudley Farquhar

For almost 50 years, Vietnam War veteran Dudley Farquhar’s life mission has been to honor the memories of the US military’s prisoners of war and soldiers missing in action, as well as dedicating his life to those currently serving. Dudley served in the U.S. Army, 1st Infantry, attaining the rank of staff sergeant.

Farquhar, Class of 1967, was a military policeman at San Francisco Prison at Presidio, served a year in Germany and then volunteered for Vietnam. He received the Bronze Star and later served in the U.S. Army Reserve for seven years. He survived exposure to Agent Orange, requiring a liver transplant in 2012.

He established “Operation Platoon Mom” to help support deployed personnel with personalized care packages from local veteran organizations around the world to our troops.

Dudley has worked tirelessly as a national advocate for veterans, POW’s/MIA’s and their families, homeless veterans, veterans in VA hospitals, soldiers in Afghanistan, and children in shelters. There is no doubt that Dudley has made a difference in the lives of many people.

John C. Jakobek

John C. Jakobek served as Superintendent of Schools for the Pentucket Regional School District, which includes Groveland, Merrimac and West Newbury. He held the position for approximately 30 years, including during the District’s formative decades following its establishment in 1954.

Records from the Massachusetts Education Directories in the early 1960s identify him as the district’s superintendent, based at the West Newbury office. His leadership guided the early development of Pentucket’s regional governance and educational framework.

Steve Hayden

Steve Hayden coached Pentucket football from 1982 into the most recent seasons, serving a legendary 43-year tenure. He compiled an impressive 251-202-2 record, ranking 16th in Massachusetts high school history. Steve was also an outstanding athlete in his years at PHS, when he captained the football and wrestling teams from 1971 to 1973.

Steve is also a member of the Massachusetts High School Football Coaches Hall of Fame. Pentucket student news chronicled his retirement in 2015 after 36 years as a gym teacher and celebrated his playful spirit — nicknamed “Pickle Ball Player of the Year” for mixing fun with competition.

Stephen H. Meline

Stephen H. “Steve” Meline was a beloved science teacher and coach who dedicated more than three decades to the Pentucket Regional School District. A fixture in the classroom and on the athletic fields, Steve taught science at the junior high, middle, and high school levels for 35 years before retiring in 2004. He coached cross-country for 30 years, building a strong and respected program that saw numerous championship seasons.

Known for his sharp wit, kind demeanor and deep connection with students, Meline inspired learning both inside and outside the classroom through his work with the Outdoor Club, science enrichment and countless student events. After retirement, he and his wife traveled the world, visiting places such as the Galapagos Islands, Antarctica, Africa and Tibet. His legacy of mentorship, curiosity and community involvement continues to resonate with former students and colleagues alike.

Roger Roy

Roger Roy has been a cherished presence at Pentucket, famed for his versatility, warmth and intellectual curiosity. Known as “the bilingual gem of Pentucket,” Roger substitutes in classrooms almost daily, seamlessly filling diverse subject needs — from French to hall monitoring — making his contributions invaluable. A fluent French speaker raised in a bilingual household, he delighted students with witty puns, avid crossword puzzling (sometimes in French!), and humble acts like collecting recycling or spare change in school hallways.

Roger also coached the 1994 baseball team to the Division III state championship and was added to the Massachusetts Baseball Coaches AssociationVictory Club, which recognizes coaches with decades of service, indicating a substantial and impactful coaching career. His dedication, humor and quiet wisdom gave him near‑legendary status among staff and students — a humble educator whose consistent presence and gentle mentorship left a lasting impression on the Pentucket community.

Stephen ‘Steve’ Puleo 

Steve Puleo,Class of 1990, displayed exceptional talent at Pentucket in football, hockey, and baseball. Widely considered to be the most dominant male athlete in the schools’ history, Steve earned 11 varsity letters from 1987-1990.

In football, Steve was a two-time Daily News and Cape Ann League Player of the Year. He was the first Pentucket running back to gain 1,000 yards in a single season. He rushed for 3,584 yards in three seasons, averaging 6.3 yards per carry while scoring 36 touchdowns. As linebacker, he made more than 300 tackles.

He was punishing forward on the hockey team, a 1989 Conference All-Star and member of All-Area hockey team.

In baseball, Steve was a four-year starter at catcher finishing with a career .429 batting average and batted .528 his junior season. His awards included Cape Ann League Player of the Year, 1989 and 1990; Boston Globe Division 3 Player of the Year, 1989 and 1990; and Gatorade Circle of Champions Massachusetts Baseball Player of the Year 1990.

He continued his baseball career at University of Maine, playing for legendary Coach John Winkin, and was a two-year captain at Maine. He played in the prestigious Cape Cod Baseball League in 1993 and 1994, and started in the 1994 Cape League All-Star Game at catcher.

Additionally, a retrospective post celebrating Pentucket’s athletic past acknowledges “the great Steve Puleo” among their most memorable sports heroes.