MIDDLEBURY — Every autumn the Middlebury High School/Middlebury Union High School Alumni Association honors graduates by inducting them into its Hall of Fame.
Janet Malzac Leggett and Robert Hamlin will be inducted into the Hall of Fame this Friday, Sept. 27, at the Middlebury Union High School football game against Champlain Valley Union High School.
Inductees into the Hall of Fame must meet certain criteria and have been nominated through a letter of recommendation from their peers. This year the Alumni Association is honoring Janet Malzac Leggett the class of 1952 and Robert A. Hamlin the class of 1983.
JANET MALZAC LEGGETT
While at MHS, Janet Malzac was Junior Class President, a majorette in the band and a member of the Glee Club and Drama Club. After high school she settled in Middlebury, married Bob Leggett, and together they raised five children: Carolyn (Perine), Robert “Robbie,” Jane (Roy), Judy (Whitney), and David, who is widely known as “Crock.” All five children graduated from MUHS. Janet has 12 grandchildren that she has cared for and supported their interests as they grow and develop into independent young adults.
Janet has been an integral member of both the town of Middlebury and Middlebury College. Her early years were spent at the beloved Dog Team Tavern, where she was a second-generation waitress. From here, she moved to the Dean of Students Office at Middlebury College, where she kept her fingers on the pulse of the college for more than 37 years. She became a second mother to not only college colleagues but to a multitude of students crossing her path.
After her retirement, Janet next became a volunteer in numerous town organizations. A lifelong member of St. Mary’s Parish, she is a much appreciated liturgy reader, known for the volume of her words, a talent long developed with her five children. To support Bob’s close association with the American Legion, she began volunteering in many Legion events — from kitchen detail to Bingo nights, raising money for local charities. She has also been a longtime volunteer at all Middlebury elections, checking in voters and connecting with her many friends and family.
Despite ongoing health issues, Janet has never lost her infectious enthusiasm, her love of people, her willingness to give of her time to those around her, her support of family and her deep faith. She has been a role model to a numerous generations of Middlebury residents, both from town and college. Members of the Hall of Fame committee said they believe she is a worthy member of the Middlebury High School Hall of Fame.
ROBERT A. HAMLIN
Rob Hamlin, like so many other local youngsters, started his sports careers at a young age. That is thanks to a very supportive community, which provided the opportunities to participate in “punt, pass and kick”; baseball; biddy basketball; flag football; and so many other recreation programs run by area volunteers. Coach George Kulhowvick, smiling, recalls Rob spinning a basketball on one finger in the fourth grade! The love of sports, teamwork and sportsmanship followed into high school, college and community service.
While at MUHS Rob lettered three years playing basketball, was an NVAC Division II first-team All-League selection as a junior, played a pivotal role on the 1983 Boys State Champion Basketball Team, and became the first Tiger basketball player to score 1,000 points (1,137 career points at MUHS). While playing basketball in high school Rob also was honored by playing in the annual Vermont Alhambra All Stars Team, Converse National High School All-American Team and was a Medalist Magazine 1983 Prep All State Selection. Rob lettered two years playing football while in high school, making the Vermont Shrine Maple team as defensive team captain and NVAC Division I All-Conference team defense. He was named the Vermont Sportswriters & Sportscasters February athlete of the month and the VSSA 1983 Vermont High School Athlete of the Year. He was awarded a Division I basketball scholarship to the University of Vermont.
While working for a degree in Economics at UVM, Rob continued to gain numerous awards and recognition for his athletic accomplishments.
Throughout his work career Rob has volunteered with area youth in Pensacola, Fla., and Nampa, Idaho. His services range from YMCA volunteering as a coach for football, basketball and baseball; to classroom volunteer programs such as Math Superstars, Student Arts Program and parent volunteers. For eight years he was a member of the Florida Chapter of the Jaycees, providing Thanksgiving meals, painting houses and aiding senior citizens with needed chores. He hosted the annual Easter service and responded to needs whenever requested. Rob continues to be a strong supporter of school athletics and still serves on the football chain gang as a volunteer, Youth Lions Club programs and the Boosters club.
The MHS/MUHS Alumni Association welcomes both Janet and Rob into the Alumni Hall of Fame.
The association’s annual meeting and buffet dinner will be held on Saturday, Sept. 28, at American Legion Post 27 in Middlebury. A social hour begins at 4 p.m., the business meeting gets under way at 5:30 and dinner will follow.
Editor’s note: This piece was contributed by the MHS/MUHS Alumni Association.