During the June 9, 2025 quarterly meeting, the Alumni Association held the Diploma of Distinction award ceremony. The Diploma of Distinction is an annual award given to recognize an Independence High School alum worthy of a distinguished status for excellence in career, life, service, and/or other area of contribution. This year, Alumni Association founding member and current President Dale Veverka (‘70) was honored with the award for his lifetime of dedication to community through citizenship and service.
Dale graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Education in 1974 and a Masters Plus in Middle School Education in 1982, both from Kent State. Dale taught two years for Cleveland Schools before beginning his 32-year teaching career for Aurora City Schools. While at Aurora, Dale coached middle and high school volleyball, basketball, and track, and served as Treasurer for the Aurora Education Association.
Since retiring in 2008, Dale is just as busy as he was before, only now as a full-time philanthropist. He is actively involved in the Independence United Methodist Church (IUMC) as Lay Leader, head of the board of Trustees, and a member of the Staff Parish Relations and Finance committees. Dale has been heavily involved in many fundraising initiatives for the church, the most recent being Neighbors Assisting Neighbors (N.A.N.) which he founded with his wife of nearly fifty years, Beverly.
N.A.N. is a community outreach program that started in 2018 as a free monthly Sunday meal served at the church and open to everyone, regardless of faith. Although the meals are free, attendees started asking if they could make donations. What began as a small offering at the first meal has grown to donations totaling over $11,000 which are in turn given to neighbors who need help. Donations have been gifted to Independence and Garfield Heights Schools for the purchase of school supplies and field trip fees for low-income students, senior residents needing utility assistance, local food pantries, and several other worthy causes.
In addition to N.A.N., Dale developed a car ministry at IUMC which included a car talk program in the winter and a bi-weekly cruise-in during warmer weather. In addition to the car ministry, Dale has devoted many volunteer hours to the North Coast AMC Car Club. He served eight years as the President and was recently reelected to the role. During his first tenure, the group hosted the four-day AMO International Convention in 2015, which brought American Motors enthusiasts from all over the globe to Independence. Under his leadership, NCAMC will host the International Convention in Independence again in 2027. Between his tenures, Dale served as an AMO Board Member.
Dale is a founding member of the Independence Alumni Association and has served as President three separate terms. Under his leadership, the Association has maintained steady momentum with outreach, donations, and awards and gifts to graduates and the school. While the Alumni Association has been awarding graduating senior essay winners since 2009, Dale saw a need in the wider community. In 2023 using his own seed money, he established two financial awards for graduates of the Auto Service Technology and Auto Body Repair programs at the Cuyahoga Valley Career Center.
In addition to his innumerable volunteer hours, Dale also serves as a member of Independence City Council, and will begin his fifth two-year term in January 2026. As an elected official, he keeps himself highly accessible to his constituents, and although he is busy, he is never too busy to address even the smallest resident concerns.
At the awards ceremony, Alumni Association Vice President Joan Mencl (‘70) presented Dale with the Diploma of Distinction proclamation and thanked him for all he does for the community. She said she is proud to count Dale as a friend.
Gwen (Deyling ‘68) Mullin told the group about Dale helping her late mother, Alice, with so many things over the years. She challenged everyone to “be more like Dale,” and said if we all did just half of what Dale does for his neighbors and friends, the world would be a better place.
Emira (Marotta ‘70) Cipriano said in school, Dale was “annoying” and would pull her hair and poke her with a pencil, but she said she always knew he would end up doing great things. In more recent years, she was able to get to know him better on the Class of 1970 reunion committee.
Wayne Benos (‘70) said he and Dale were friends in school, then lost touch after graduation. They reunited during the planning of their 50th/51st class reunion. Wayne said he knew that Dale was involved in a lot of projects, but he never knew the extent to “how crazy he is!”
Vern Blaze (‘80) referenced the New Testament of the Bible in the book of Matthew which says, “just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve.” He explained that true greatness in the eyes of God is achieved through humble service and said, “service is Dale’s middle name!”
Dale’s daughter, Amber Veverka (‘07), read a tribute to Dale describing the positive effect his many decades of volunteerism had on her life and the lives of those he serves. She gave examples of how Dale helps people as the biblical book of Isaiah instructs Christians: feed the hungry, give shelter to the wanderer, and provide clothing to the bare. Although deserving of this award, she said his true reward is, “knowing he made a difference – no matter how large or small,” and closed with, “I don’t think I will ever witness my father say “no” to any opportunity to make the world a better place.”
Bob Wagner, who nominated Dale, explained that even though Dale has had low vision most of his life, he is still able to accomplish so much. He said Dale could have used his vision issues as an excuse to only do the bare minimum, but he never lets it stop him from achieving everything he wants to do. Bob also recognized Dale’s wife, Beverly, for supporting Dale’s missions and being his “right hand.” He said that Dale, “does the homework” when it comes to serving the community.
Upon accepting the award, Dale said he is able to do all he does in the community because he is supported by his behind the scenes helpers, especially Beverly, with whom he said he shares the award. He thanked the Alumni Association, Joan, the board, and everyone in attendance.
The Independence Alumni Association recognizes the accomplishments and achievements of long-time educator and Independence Primary School kindergarten teacher Jodi Hoffner by naming her the 2023 Educators of Excellence.
