1993 Hall of Fame Recipients
Diane Roberta de Julio
Norwalk, California
A colleague of Diane Roberta de Julio writes: “Creativity! The word must have been invented for Diane de Julio.” Ms. de Julio’s three decades of teaching and service in the fields of art and drama exemplify creative involvement. She initiated active children’s theatre troupes, first at La Mirada High School in La Mirada, California, and later at John Glenn High School in Norwalk, California, where she served as fine arts department chair.
As a director, Ms. de Julio involved students in virtually all aspects of production. She was elected by her peers to her school’s site-based decision-making team, dedicated to restructuring education to encourage lifelong learning.
Ms. de Julio’s primary goal has been securing a place for arts education in an environment of budget freezes and cutbacks. She assisted the California state Thespian board in organizing annual events and served on an EdTA territorial board.
Charles Lynn Frost
Orem, Utah
As a theatre educator and director, Charles Lynn Frost has played a significant role in his home state of Utah and across the country. His love of the performing arts began at a young age, when his mother took him to an amateur production of Carousel. Since then he has performed in or directed nearly two hundred plays and musicals, conducted scores of workshops, and provided leadership for many artistic and educational organizations.
Mr. Frost chaired the theatre arts departments of Mountain View High School in Orem, Utah and Payson High School in Payson, Utah. He served as Utah state Thespian director (1978-80) and EdTA president (1988-90) and donated his time and expertise to the Utah Arts Council, the Provo Theatre Company, and the Boy Scouts of America. His troupe produced The Servant of Two Masters on the main stage at the 1992 Thespian Festival.
Gerald Ray Horne (1936-2014)
Warner Robins, Georgia
Gerald Ray Horne’s inspiration came from the promise and determination of his students. A drama teacher at Northside High School in Warner Robins, Georgia for thirty-one years, Mr. Horne served as Georgia state Thespian director for twenty-five. His Thespians were frequently recognized for outstanding one-act and full-length productions; graduates of his program built successful stage, film, television, and teaching careers.
“His first love and true talent is working with people,” a colleague wrote. “He has provided the magic for developing many bashful, frightened young people into confident, assured citizens.”
Mr. Horne donated time and expertise to the Peace Corps, the Georgia Youth Commission, the Morning Optimist Club, and the Houston County Alcohol and Drug Council.
“Such great memories of Ray Horne’s drama class at Northside,” one of his former students wrote when he passed away in 2014. “He was a great teacher and he truly cared for his students. He was one of a kind and will be missed.”
Lois Sackman (1916-1988)
Riverton, Wyoming
Before her death in 1988, Lois Sackman worked tirelessly to bring out the best in her speech and drama students. A teacher for thirty years at Riverton High School in Riverton, Wyoming, Ms. Sackman founded the school’s Thespian Troupe 1887 in 1958 and produced Riverton’s first “story theatre.” She also coached her school’s award-winning forensics team, volunteered for several community organizations, and directed the town’s fiftieth anniversary pageant.
Ms. Sackman served as Wyoming state Thespian director (1964-69) and as a regional director. She was a member of the Board of Directors for six years before becoming assistant international director in 1972 and international director (president) in 1976. Her fundraising efforts were instrumental in making the Thespian Society’s 1976 purchase of a new office building possible.
A close friend said: “She really took her students to heart and would do anything to help them. She was always happy, always humming.”
