Class of 2026 / Biographies
JOSEPHINE SEBACH
Edna Josephine Sebach (1905–1990) was a pioneering educator, civic leader, and philanthropist whose legacy continues to shape the educational landscape of Muskingum County, Ohio. A proud graduate of Zanesville High School, Class of 1923, she went on to earn a degree in Home Economics from The Ohio State University in 1928 and later completed advanced studies at Simmons College’s Prince School of Retailing-an experience that would help define her groundbreaking career. Sebach devoted 41 years to teaching at her alma mater, where she became a visionary leader in vocational education. In 1940, she launched Zanesville’s Distributive Education program years before the initiative was formally adopted statewide. The program blended classroom instruction with hands-on work experience in retail, finance, and marketing, offering students practical skills and career pathways long before experiential learning became standard practice. She also played a formative role in establishing the national Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) in 1946, an organization that continues to empower students across the country. Under her mentorship, students regularly excelled in district, state, and national competitions through the DE program, and many went on to successful professional careers. Beyond the classroom, Sebach was deeply engaged in civic life. She was an active member of Grace United Methodist Church, a charter member of the American Association of University Women Zanesville chapter, a member of Alpha Chi Omega, and served in leadership roles with the YWCA and Bethesda Hospital’s Junior Assembly. Upon her death in 1990, having outlived her immediate family, Sebach left a transformative $600,000 educational trust. Established through The Muskingum County Community Foundation in 1991, the Josephine Sebach Educational Fund has awarded more than $1 million in scholarships to over 300 recipients since 1992. Through her lifelong service and enduring philanthropy, Josephine Sebach’s influence continues to open doors for generations of students, ensuring her commitment to education lives on.
R.W. Mills M.D.
Dr. Robert “R.W.” Mills graduated from ZHS in 1979 as the senior class president before pursuing his premedical studies at Miami University. While in Oxford, he earned entry into the Phi Eta Sigma Freshman Honorary and graduated Magna Cum Laude before entering medical school at the Medical College of Ohio. While attending medical school, he earned election and induction into Alpha Omega Alpha, the nation’s oldest and most prestigious medical honor society. From there he completed a pediatric residency serving as chief resident his final year. Dr. Mills practiced both inpatient and outpatient pediatrics following graduation and served as the Chief Medical Officer of Mercy Children’s Hospital before being named to the same position with Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Toledo in 2022. The recipient of multiple teaching and medical community awards, he is a nationally recognized pediatric standards of care expert. While in Toledo, he met and married the love of his life, Laurie, a pediatric critical care nurse. They are the proud parents of four fine young men and grandparents of three beautiful grandchildren. Their fourth son was a special needs child born with multiple medical complexities secondary to a congenital brain malformation, who passed away from complications of his condition just two weeks before his sixth birthday. In his honor, Laurie and RW founded and continue to support Noah’s House, a respite care facility for medically fragile children in 2003. Dr. Mills feels his largest professional contribution to date involves his leadership with Nationwide Children’s Toledo, recruiting over 50 pediatric specialists to the region, improving access to complex care for patients and their families in northwest Ohio.
Jack Cohen
Jack was born October 20th 1923 in Newark, NJ. He was raised in Brooklyn, NY. When he was a sophomore in high school the family moved to Ohio. Jack graduated from Lash High School in 1941. Jack’s father and grandfather were both watchmakers. Jack’s father Benjamin passed away when Jack was 19. Jack then took care of his mother Rebecca and his 9 year old brother. Jack began his apprenticeship at Watt’s Jewelers in 1941. Jack was active in the Masonic Lodge. Jack opened his first jewelry store at 8 North Sixth Street in downtown Zanesville. In 1959 he moved to a larger location in the Lind Arcade and was there until 1983. Jack met Violet Kastner at Cedar Point. They married on July 31, 1955. They had four children, Bennett, Rob, Sue and Judi. They moved to Columbus in 1981. They started buying real estate in Columbus in 1968. They went on to buy many properties throughout their lives. Neither Jack nor Violet attended college, but they both had great minds for business. One of their investments was on Lane Ave on the campus of Ohio State. Shortly after buying the buildings a representative from the Holiday Inn hotels came to Zanesville to see Jack at the jewelry store. They wanted to buy the buildings from Jack and Violet to open up their hotel. Jack and Violet, being smart, agreed Holiday Inn could rent the land instead of buying it. They gutted the bottom two apartments to make it a retail store. It started as a jewelry store in 1972 and soon after because of its location across from St John Arena and the football stadium became Conrad’s which was a successful business for 47 years before closing at the end of 2019. Jack and Violet were honored during a home football game on the field to thank them for numerous charitable donations to the university for scholarships. They were also honored by the president of the university Gordon Gee and given a wonderful proclamation. The Cohen kids all married and gave Jack and Violet 8 grandchildren.
Alex Cultice
Whether playing when I was younger or working in the game now, baseball has been incredibly good to me. My time as a Blue Devil allowed me to form lasting bonds with many teammates with whom I am still close. Together, we helped build a program that saw Zanesville Baseball win its first ever District Championship in 2005 and then advance to back-to-back Regional Finals in 2006 and 2007. Looking back, it was the perfect storm of the right people at the right time. Currently, I am employed by the Los Angeles Angels as their Major League Run Prevention Coordinator. Additionally, I will oversee Replay Operations in 2026. As Run Prevention Coordinator, my primary responsibility revolves around diving into opposing hitters and generating game plans for our pitchers. The main goal in working with our pitchers is to paint a picture of how each guy can use his strengths to aggressively attack opposing hitters. Prior to joining the Angels in 2024, I had been with the Arizona Diamondbacks since graduating from Kenyon College in 2011, where I was a four-year starter on the baseball team. Following graduation, the Diamondbacks hired me as a Minor League Video Assistant and from 2011 to 2014 I worked on the Player Development side of things. Then in 2015, I was given the chance to help the Major League team and was put in charge of generating the advance scouting information each coach used to prepare for upcoming opponents. After two years in that role, I was given the opportunity to dive into the game planning side of things working closely with former pitcher Dan Haren. That was really the start of my affinity for the game planning aspect which only increased in 2019 when I was tasked with handling the team’s defensive positioning. This combination of providing coaches with the necessary pre-series information along with helping to create game plans and set our defensive alignments took me through the 2023 season when the Diamondbacks advanced to the World Series and ultimately helped lead me to my current position with the Angels.
Terry Martin
Terry M. Martin was born in Zanesville, Ohio on December 21, 1950, the second child of Bobbie and Edley Martin. He graduated from Zanesville High School in 1969, earned a B.A. in history from Muskingum University (1973), and an M Ed. In educational administration from The Ohio State University (1977). He worked toward English certification at OSU in 1982, followed by additional coursework in administrative courses at the Universities of Dayton, Capital, Ashland, and Ohio University. Terry began his forty-two year career with ZCS as a Social Studies/English teacher at Roosevelt Junior High (1973-1975). He served as assistant principal at Hancock Junior High (1975-1979) and Zanesville High School (1979-1984), principal of Grover Cleveland Middle School (1984-1985), and then returned as assistant principal at Zanesville High School (1985-1988). He then became director of business of operations (1988-1996), assistant superintendent (1996-2006), and superintendent (2006-2015). As superintendent, Terry worked with the community to pass two levies to fund the district’s participation in the Ohio Schools Facilities Building Program which funded three new elementary buildings, two new junior high buildings, and a new high school. He also worked with the Friends of Sulsberger group to spearhead the Sulsberger Stadium renovation, contributing to fundraising efforts that secured more than $800,000 for track and field improvements. He helped establish the Zanesville City Schools Benevolent Committee which coordinated Thanksgiving meals and organized and served on the original committee to launch the Zanesville City Schools Hall of Fame to celebrate outstanding achievements by alumni. Terry has been the recipient of several awards including OSBA SE Region Outstanding Administrator, Zanesville Rotary Club Educator of the Year, Zanesville Civic League Guardian Award, Archives of the People, and Forever Dads honoree. Terry served as past board member of the William H. Shinnick Educational Fund, Muskingum County Library System, United Way, Kiwanis, Taylor-McHenry board, Genesis advisory board and the Muskingum County Job and Family Services Workforce board. Past member OSBA, Muskingum County Superintendent’s Association. Currently a committee member of Forever Dads and NAACP Political Action and Member of Wings of Hope Tabernacle. Terry has been married to his high school sweetheart Connie Mayle Martin for fifty-three years. He has three sons who graduated from ZHS- Shane, Seth, and Nick and grandpa to seven grandchildren.
SGT. Ronnie Shinya Marshall
Ronnie Shinya Marshall (1949–1971) stands as an enduring symbol of courage, sacrifice, and quiet strength—a proud son of Zanesville, Ohio, whose life exemplified the highest ideals of service, honor, and selflessness. A 1967 graduate of Zanesville High School, Ronnie carried the values instilled in these hallways—discipline, perseverance, and community pride—into the crucible of war. Born on October 30, 1949, to Glen E. Marshall, a World War II veteran, and Shizuko F. Marshall, whose quiet resilience and Japanese heritage blended seamlessly with American patriotism, Ronnie embodied the fusion of fierce loyalty and humble grace. At just 18, he answered his nation’s call, enlisting in the U.S. Army. He served as a Sergeant with the 1st Cavalry Division, 3rd Brigade, arriving in Vietnam in July 1970. As a sniper, Ronnie displayed extraordinary skill and composure under fire. Recognized as one of the war’s leading marksmen—reportedly the fifth-rated sniper with around 77 confirmed kills—he protected his fellow soldiers with unmatched precision and steady resolve. His bravery earned him numerous decorations, including the Bronze Star Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster), two Purple Hearts, and expert qualifications in multiple fields. Yet his true legacy lies beyond medals: he was a protector, putting his life on the line so others might live. Tragically, on August 18, 1971 (with his casualty date recorded as September 6, 1971), at the age of 21, Ronnie made the ultimate sacrifice in Long Khanh Province. His name is etched on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall (Panel 2W, Line 11), a permanent testament to his devotion. Ronnie’s story inspires generations: from the classrooms of Zanesville High School to the battlefields of Vietnam, he showed that true heroism is rooted in integrity, compassion, and unwavering commitment to something greater than oneself. Though his life was cut short, his spirit endures—reminding students today that ordinary young people, shaped by family, community, and education, can rise to extraordinary heights. Ronnie Shinya Marshall: forever a hero, forever remembered.
Blair Magaziner
Blair L Magaziner was born in Zanesville, Ohio on January 31, 1952, the son of Marvin and Mildred Magaziner. He graduated form Zanesville High School in 1970. He graduated from Princeton University in 1974 with a BA in history, and graduated form the University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida with a Juris Doctorate degree in 1977. Blair was a member of the Blue Devils football team where he played quarterback. He was named first team Central Ohio league quarterback as well as CO-back of the year his senior year. At Princeton Blair played varsity football and baseball as a freshman and lettered as a defensive back. After graduating from law school Blair became a criminal defense and civil trial lawyer in Louisville, Kentucky. He then moved to Chicago, Illinois and worked as a trader on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. He then returned home to Zanesville to open a law firm Magaziner & McGlade in downtown Zanesville in 1985. He has practiced law for over 48 years as a personal injury litigator. He has law licenses in Ohio, Kentucky and Florida. Blair is a member and past president of the Muskingum County Bar Association, member of the Ohio State, Kentucky and, Florida Bar Associations and holds credentials to practice law in the United States District Court for Southern District of Ohio and United States Court of Appeals 6th District, and the Ohio Association for Justice. Blair has continuously supported the Zanesville City Schools both academically and athletically. He has been a continuous member/past president of the Zanesville Quarterback Club and member of the Zanesville High School Tip-Off Club. Blair has been married to Ruth Lumbatis Magaziner for over 48 years. He has one daughter Allix (Nate Hunt) who practices law in Boulder, Colorado and two grandsons Townes and Cormac.