Ilion High School - Class of 1955

Herkimer Evening Telegram - June 21, 1951

Ilion Pays Tribute To Schoolboy Scientist

Article 5

Photo Caption - A GIFT FOR THE JET-BOY - Ilion's mayor, Dr. Y. L. Power, presents Ronnie Wheeler with a gift in behalf of the Businessmen's Association and the Ilion Kiwanis Club, at last night's program at the Capitol Theater. - Telegram Staff Photo

Ilion Pays Tribute To Schoolboy Scientist

Ilion Ronald Wheeler, Ilion's jet-minded prodigal son, was honored by community leaders last night at a special ceremony in the Capitol Theater before an audience of close to 300 persons.

Included among the speakers and special guests were Mayor Y. L. Power, Village Trustee Jerome Urtz, Ted Burkhart, president of the Ilion Business Mens' Association. Palmer Gregg, President of the Kiwanis, Mrs. Ether Wilcox, Ronnie's science teacher, Lt. Lawrence Brown, Public Information Officer at Rome air base, and William Connolly, manager of the Capitol Theater.

Mayor Power presented Ronnie with a cash award sponsored by the Kiwanis Business Association. "I've known Ronnie since he was a small lad," said the Mayor, "and little did I realize that we at Ilion had a potential famous scientist in our midst."

Great Ideas

"We are gathered here," the Mayor continued, to Honor Ronald Wheeler, who has conceived great ideas, ideas which in the future may be developed to an extent greater than any of us realizes. Ronnie's success has given our village national and world publicity is not the primary thing. It is important to stimulate Ronnie and boys like him to continue their science studies. Ronald Wheeler is a boy Ilion can be proud of."

Accepting the award, Ronnie said, "I would like to thank everyone connected with this occasion, particularly my teacher, Mrs. Esther Wilcox, who made it all possible. It's a wonderful thing to live in such a friendly town with such friendly people.

Explaining how he first became interested in jet engines, Ronnie told William Connolly, who acted as MC, "I'm not particularly mechanically minded. I guess I just became curious about what mad a jet tick." Connonlly replied that "curiosity is the basis of all inventions."

Teachers Talks

Mrs. Wilcox, Ronnie's teacher, expressed her appreciation for the work of the County Science Congresses, and the "forward looking policy of Ilion School officials who are willing to let us experiment with science procedures."

For a boy who is "just curious" the 13-year-old junior high student has created quite a stir among both civilian and air force jet engineers. After being invited to tour the Rome Base, Ronnie was given a special invitation to visit, the General Electric Jet plant at Lockland, Ohio; was flown back on a special plane and given a banquet.

Newsreels, press wire services, and radio coverage have given the nation "the Wheeler Story," and last night WKTV telecasted films taken of Ronnie at the Rome base.