James Jordan expresses his appreciation for being inducted into the Webb City R-7 Hall of Fame in a video recorded on location for his next project in Morocco.
Bob Foos
Actor James Jordan wasn’t able to be present for his induction into the Webb City R-7 Hall of Fame Monday, but he appeared larger than life.
The 1997 Webb City High School graduate recorded a message he filmed for the banquet audience while he’s in Morocco for his next role.
In that message, he said he was honored to be inducted into the hall of fame and will always be proud of his Webb City roots.
Jordan went on to Missouri Southern State University, where he studied theater with an emphasis in performance. He moved to Los Angeles to earn a master’s degree from the University of Southern California School of Theater, Film and Television.
He was recently seen in the reoccurring role of livestock agent Steve Hendon on the TV series “Yellowstone.”
A plaque for Jordan was presented to his mother, Chris Seward Meadows, while other family members cheered with the rest of the crowd.
The induction ceremony was part of the 19th annual Webb City R-7 School Foundation Honors Banquet in the high school commons.
Shane Newby, a 1988 WCHS graduate, was honored as the Distinguished Citizen.
Newby said he has always been proud of Webb City. But it was after his accident “that I really got to see how much the community means to me.”
Prior to his accident, Newby had served in the Navy and had a career with AT&T for 18 years.
He didn’t think after his accident that he would be able to continue working game nights in the press box at Cardinal Stadium. But he especially thanked Jeff Montgomery for building a sling to lift him up. He continues to be seen at the scorers table in the Cardinal Dome.
Superintendent Tony Rossetti noted the positivity that Newby contributes to the district. “He contributes so much and asks so little. I’m proud to stand up here with him.”
The five Pillars of Education honored this year were Kay Clark, Pat Forste, Amanda Green, Dean Salchow and Jonnie Sue Scofield.
Scofield took the mic to say Webb City was a good school district when she graduated in 1970 and “now it’s an exceptional school district.”
The Cardinal Teachers selected last fall were also recognized. They are:
Formed in 2004, the foundation’s roots go back to 1986 when the scholarship program began. Since then, Lisa Montgomery, president of the foundation, said the total amount of scholarships exceeds $1 million.
The foundation also has awarded $35,000 in teacher grants in the past eight years and $15,000 in $100 first-year-teacher grants.
More information about the foundation is online.
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