During a special ceremony Nov. 20, Kevin Kasper and Donald Palandech were inducted as the eighth and ninth members of The Hinsdale South High School Hall of Fame.
The Hall of Fame was introduced in the fall of 2005 during the school’s 40th anniversary celebration. Mary Della Chiesa, president of the Hinsdale South High School Foundation, said it was started to bring legacy to Hinsdale South and bring alumni back to share their experiences with the students.
Nominations for alumni or retired teachers are submitted, and Chiesa said it is open to anyone in the community. Kasper is the first athlete to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, and Palandech is the first colonel, she said. Both spoke to students about their experiences in high school and beyond last week as they received a special plaque and Hornet memorabilia. Kasper and Palandech encouraged students to follow their dreams and overcome the obstacles that may get in their way.
Kevin Kasper
After graduating from Hinsdale South High School in 1996, Kevin Kasper went on to the University of Iowa where he earned a full scholarship after walking on to the football team his freshman year. He received his degree in marketing and was a three time academic All Big-Ten and two time recipient of the “Nile Kinnick Memorial Scholarship” representing excellence in academic achievements. He was voted most valuable player and team captain of Iowa’s football team, and holds Iowa’s all-time record for receptions in a game, a season and a career. Kasper went on to play as a wide receiver and kick returner for the National Football League from 2001 to 2006, setting three all-time NFL scouting combine records and winning the Super Bowl with the New England Patriots in 2004. He is an active participant in Gatorade for Kids and United Way athletic camps and serves as a motivational speaker for high school and college athletes.
“I really enjoyed my four years here, I put a lot of hard work and effort in and it’s a place where I came here as a little boy and left as a man. ...This school really helped me and prepared me to get to that next level and this is one of the greatest honors I’ve ever received," Kasper said.
Donald Palandech
Donald Palandech graduated from Hinsdale South High School in 1975, and went on to the United States Air Force Academy where he received a degree in chemistry. He entered the United States Air Force as a 2nd Lt. in 1979, and remains on active duty today. He received a Bronze Star for work commanding Air Expeditionary Group of 1,100 Airmen in Iraq, while also being awarded an Air Medal and Aerial Achievement Medal for flight missions in Iraq enforcing the United Nations Resolutions and Sanctions during the 1990s. In January 2001 he was promoted to colonel, and he now commands the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps Detachment 25 at Arizona State University. He is responsible for recruiting and overseeing the preparation of more than 120 officer candidates for commissioning as leaders in today's Air Force. Palandech is a master navigator with 2,500 flight hours as a weapons system officer in F-4, F-111 and F-1 5E. “This is an unbelievable honor there are so many talented and gifted graduates, people that have gone out to make contributions to their communities and to their professional fields. To be selected from that group that comes from Hinsdale South is more than I can put into words,” Palandech said.
