St. Henry Consolidated Local Schools
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Picture

 2014 Inductee

Dorothy J. (Gast) Abernathy

Class of 1974
In Recognition for Leadership
​Dorothy was inducted in to the Virginia Communications Hall of Fame in April 2013, which honors men and women who have demonstrated exceptional achievement in the fields of newspapers, magazines, journalism, public relations and media education.

​She joined the Associated Press (AP) in 1982 as a reporter, moved up to correspondent, then became the Virginia Associated Press bureau chief; she has been involved in coverage of such stories as the D.C. sniper shootings, 9/11 and the Virginia Tech shootings. Dorothy worked at the Kansas City Star and was a part of the team that covered the collapse of the Hyatt Hotel skywalk in 1981. The Star won a Pulitzer Prize for its coverage of this disaster and its aftermath.

Dorothy served as president of the Virginia Coalition for Open Government board, created a coalition of newspapers, and wrote the initial contract that resulted in the creation of the Virginia Public Access Project. She spearheaded the first Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) audit organized by an AP bureau, and only the second FOIA audit in the country. Dorothy plays an important role in AP election coverage by declaring winners in Virginia elections for president, U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives, and legislative and statewide offices.
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St. Henry Consolidated Local Schools
391 E. Columbus St. 
St. Henry, OH 45883
Phone: 419-678-4834
​Fax: 419-678-1724
Superintendent: Julie Garke
Treasurer: Jennifer Bruns
© COPYRIGHT 2021.   ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • Home
  • District
    • Employment >
      • Teaching Application
      • Support Staff Application
      • Current Openings
    • Transportation
    • Alumni Hall of Fame
    • District Calendar 20-21
    • District Calendar 21-22
    • District Newsletter
    • COVID-19
  • BOE & Central Office
  • Elementary School
    • Elementary Staff
    • Mercer County Head Start
    • Helpful Websites
  • Middle School
    • Middle School Staff
    • Video Announcements
  • High School
    • High School Staff
    • High School Handbook
    • High School Guidance >
      • My Majors - College Majors
      • Suicide Prevention
      • OhioMeansJobsK12
      • Course Description Book
      • CC+ Handbook
      • Flex Credit Program Application
      • Scholarships
    • Clubs and Groups
  • Athletics
    • Ticket Information
    • HS/MS Sports Schedules
    • Teams Pages
    • Directions to St. Henry
    • Midwest Athletic Conference
    • OHSAA
    • Athletic Physicals
  • Forms
  • Community Center
    • CC Schedule
    • Fitness Room Schedule
    • CC Rules & Regulations
    • CC Liability Form
    • CC Fob Form