Somerton Minister Honored by Alumni Assn.
SOMERTON – A small, dedicated group of former Somerton School students gathered at the Somerton VFD social room on June 13 to share memories of time spent at the Johnson Ridge school.
Graduates from the anniversary years of 1981, 1976, 1971 and 1966 were present. The oldest alum attending was Don Byers who attended three years at Somerton before finishing in 1952 at Barnesville High School.
Highlighting the banquet was the selection of Somerton area resident and 1975 grad, Rev. Dale Warrick, as the 2026 Alumnus of the Year.
With Warrick’s early interest in art, he designed a Ridgerunner mascot that was printed on sweatshirts and other memorabilia while a student at Somerton.
Warrick was introduced by his wife, Rita, who said in 1975 she met and became good friends with a young man from Somerton while attending art school.
“A couple of years later, as husband and wife, we moved our family to Somerton where I met some of the people I had heard stories about…they were all good,” Rita said.
“I began to see how this community helped to shape the man that I am married to today. He is a man of integrity, honesty, loves people and his greatest joy is if he can help someone in some way.”
Warrick’s artistic talents and creativity carried him through art school, to a sign shop and eventually as art director of a Wheeling advertising agency.
After several years of struggle, he answered God’s call to go into a full-time pulpit gospel ministry. That mission took the honoree and his family to northern Ohio where he served congregations for 23 years.
Retiring home to Somerton, he again answered the God’s call as minister of Somerton Community Church.
Warrick also designs and creates wood furniture and accessories at a home-based business, the RidgeRunner Wood Shop.
The visibly surprised honoree who as a minister is accustomed to speaking in public, was at a loss for words who simply said, “I’ll be a Ridge Runner till I die. God Bless you all.”
An auction of donated items from the school as well as Somerton Ridgerunner t-shirts and a custom cutting board created by Warrick, raised over $200 for the group.
Former Somerton School students shared memories of their time on Johnson Ridge. The school served as a high school from 1940-1951 and as Somerton Elementary from 1952-1970. ©Barnesville Area News Company Photos
Agreeing to serving another year as officers of the association are in back president and vice president Kendall Ackerman and Jody Wilcox. Dolores Miller and Cindy Froehlich, front, serve as treasurer and secretary. ©Barnesville Area News Company Photo
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