The University City High School 2025 Hall of Fame inductees will include three Jewish members. A ceremony celebrating the 10 total inductees will be held Oct. 16 at the school, highlighted by another Jewish alum, Alan Spector, who will be the keynote speaker. Since 1999, the school has recognized notable alumni who made a difference in the world through their personal and professional work.
Mary Goldstein Stolar, Class of 1958, historic preservationist who co-founded Forest Park Forever
Stolar, who died in 1987, loved Forest Park. She was the founder of Forest Park Forever, Inc., which continues to maintain and make restorations to the park. In 1992, she was honored by the creation of the Mary Goldstein Stolar Memorial Gate outside the Dwight Davis Tennis Center. At a dedication ceremony that year, St. Louis Mayor Vincent Schoemehl Jr. said of Stolar, “She had an abiding belief about this park.”
Through her efforts, Stolar helped generate much-needed funding to restore the Nathan Frank Bandstand, to re-landscape much of the park and replace or repave crumbling streets and sidewalks. Stolar was an alderman of St. Louis’ former 25th Ward in the Central West End from 1973 to 1981. She was a member of United Hebrew Congregation.
Cecilia Lacks, Class of 1963, teacher, author and First Amendment advocate
Lacks was the 1996 recipient of the PEN/Newman Award, presented (by Paul Newman) to an individual who has defended First Amendment rights at a personal risk. Lacks told the Jewish Light when she learned of the Hall of Fame announcement, it brought back fond memories of high school.
“I loved U. City High School,” said Lacks, 79. “It’s almost my favorite time in my life. I liked my classes. I liked my teachers. I was really involved in sports, and in student government, and my friends, who I really loved. Everything about it was wonderful.”
Lacks now lives in Evanston, Ill. Before moving there 10 years ago, she was a member of Central Reform Congregation. She said her experience at U. City High School influenced her work and interests in the years that followed.
“Some of my teachers were models for me,” she said. “They loved their topics. They loved students. They were thoughtful. It was wonderful.”
Harley J. Hammerman, MD, Class of 1967, innovative radiologist, historian, and archivist
Hammerman, a retired radiologist, had a high school experience like Cissy Lacks. He loved his teachers.
“I fondly remember Wanda Bowers teaching me English and getting me interested in the playwright Eugene O’Neill, which spurred on my collecting,” said Hammerman, 75. “That’s part of why I’m in the Hall of Fame. One of the things they recognized was my O’Neill collection, which I donated to Washington University.”
Receiving the honor will create a husband-and-wife hall of fame pairing. Hammerman’s wife Marlene was a 2017 inductee.
“I met my wife in high school so it’s nice that we’re both in the Hall of Fame together,” said Hammerman, who attends Congregation Shaare Emeth. “I just had a great time in high school. “I loved the activities. I loved the students.”
