Warm homecoming 'hits home'

Ryan Smith’s not likely to forget it very soon, if ever. Walking into the Galva High School gymnasium Friday night both evoked old memories and made new ones.

“Friday night felt like when I played (basketball),” the 1991 GHS graduate said. “Galva fans were always very supportive of us. The memories . . . walking back onto the floor to that standing ovation, it hit home. It was very emotional.”

The crowd’s reaction was in response to Smith and to the 1966 GHS football team, all of whom were being inducted into the GHS Wall of Fame.

Smith was selected for the honor based on a high school athletic career in which he earned seven varsity letters, was an honorable mention all-state basketball player and All-Western Illinois football player, and competed on a state-qualifying 800-meter relay team in track. Still, his selection was humbling.

For the rest of this story, see the Jan. 21 Galva News.