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Important Announcements 

Mercer Area School District 

Class of 2021 - Class of 2025

Class of 2021

Thomas A. Sampson Jr. – Class of 1939. The journey of Thomas A. Sampson Jr. began in Mercer in 1921. After graduating from Mercer High School in 1939, Mr. Sampson completed his undergraduate studies at Princeton University from 1939 to 1943. Immediately upon his graduation from Princeton, Mr. Sampson enlisted for active military service with the Army Air Corps. After completing cadet training, he was awarded his pilot wings and received a commission as a second lieutenant. While serving his country during the Second World War, Mr. Sampson flew 35 missions in the B-17 Flying Fortress with the 381st Bomb Group in the 8th Air Force. Before his discharge as a first lieutenant, he was awarded the Air Medal with five oak clusters. After the war, Thomas earned his law degree at Dickinson School of Law in 1948 and returned to the Mercer community. Mr. Sampson then worked with his father and his own private law practice in Mercer from 1948 to 1962. He then maintained a sole practice in Mercer from 1962 to 1977, when he was joined by Ross E. Cardas as a partner in the firm of Sampson and Cardas. He actively practiced law until his retirement in 1983. Additional career accolades include his experiences as solicitor of Mercer County for six years and member of the Board of Viewers. Mr. Sampson was a member of the Mercer County Bar Association and even served as the president of the organization. Additionally, Mr. Sampson was an involved member of the community, with membership in Bethany Unity Presbyterian Church for more than 50 years. His active participation in the community was also demonstrated as a director of the former First National Bank of Mercer, lifetime membership with American Legion Post 159, and directorship of the Mercer County Historical Society. Married in 1945, Thomas and his wife, Betty, had two sons. Prior to receiving this recognition, Mr. Thomas A. Sampson Jr. passed away on March 20, 2019 in Naples, Florida.    
 

Class of 2022

Erna Craig-Rea – Class of 1976. Upon graduation from Mercer High School in 1976, Erna Craig-Rea pursued initial career pathways through studies at ITT Technical Institute (Youngstown, OH) and LaRoche College (Pittsburgh, PA). In 1981, she became the first female corrections officer in the history of Mercer County Prison. This was the first of many blazed trails that were to be established by Erna throughout her successful career. She received her certifications from the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections and the National Institution of Corrections (Longmont, CO). She then became the first female officer to earn the rank of Captain in 1990. In 2005, she became the first female Deputy Warden in Mercer County. In 2013, Erna became the first female Warden in Mercer County’s history. Recognized by the Mercer Jaycees as Officer of the Year in 1995 and the Mercer Optimist Club Officer of the Year in 1997, Erna has achieved community recognition for her dedication to service. When the new Mercer County Prison was constructed between 2003 and 2005, Erna led as the Transition Team Coordinator, serving as the logistical leader and operations manager during the massive construction project. Throughout her storied career, she created a female work program within the Mercer County Prison where all female inmates learned a craft and received compensation to support families and pay obligations. Dedicated to providing assistance to those in need, Erna worked tirelessly to provide additional resources for inmates and also those incarcerated with special needs, mental health needs, and the mentally ill. After serving the County of Mercer for more than forty years and leading as the Warden for the past nine years, Erna Craig-Rea will retire from service in June 2022.

Thomas Zimmerman – Class of 1968. Tom Zimmerman graduated from Mercer High School in 1968 with a true passion for the outdoors, a calling that has led him across the globe over a storied career. Tom earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Forestry from the University of Montana, a Master of Science Degree in Fire Ecology from the University of Idaho, and a Ph.D in Forestry and Fire Ecology from Colorado State University. Across the nation, he is regarded as one of the preeminent leaders in the field of Wildland Fire Science. Through his work with the United States Forest Service and National Park Service, Tom served as Program Manager of the Wildland Fire Management Research, Development, and Application Program in Boise, ID. He also served as the Regional Director of Fire and Aviation in Albuquerque, NM and Denver, CO. While employed with the Bureau of Land Management, he worked as a Fire Planning Specialist, Fire Management Officer, Crew Supervisor, Forester and Fire Control Coordinator. Tom has served as the National Incident Commander and Area Commander for numerous wildland fire incidents, six hurricane responses, disease outbreak response, an international visit by the Pope, political visits to National Parks, and National Covid-19 pandemic strategic preparation for wildland fire response. Professionally, Tom has served as the President and Chairman of the Board of the International Association of Wildland Fire. He has served as a Senior Wildland Fire Consultant for organizations such as the Department of Defense, NASA, USDA, US Forest Service, and the Joint Fire Science Program. He has provided training and served as a guest lecturer across the globe, sharing his knowledge of his craft at Northern Arizona University, Boise State University, University of Idaho, University of Montana, and Colorado State domestically, as well as China, Canada, India, South Africa, Spain, Italy, and Cyprus internationally. Tom has served on many other committees, panels, and command teams both during his career and retirement. Distinguished awards for Tom Zimmerman are both prestigious and numerous. He has eighty-nine total research papers, conference papers, articles, and book chapters throughout his career. He received the Distinguished Service Award from the International Association of Wildland Fire, the National Technology Transfer Award from the Federal Laboratory Consortium, the United Forest Service Chief’s Honor Award for Excellence in Science and Technology, Special Achievement Awards from the National Park Service and the Bureau of Land Management. Although Tom Zimmerman officially retired from active service in January 2012, his accolades and professional opportunities continue to expand through the current day. At the time of induction to the Mercer Hall of Fame, Tom resided in Kuna, Idaho.
 

Class of 2023

Amy Orsinger Whitehead – Class of 1986. Amy Orsinger Whitehead has played flute in the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra since 1997, where she has been featured as a soloist and has represented the orchestra in many recordings. She began playing flute in fourth grade band and continued to participate in the Mercer band program through graduation. Amy earned a B.M. in Flute Performance from Duquesne University in 1990 and an M.F.A. and a Performer’s Certificate in Chamber Music Performance from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s Institute of Chamber Music in 1993. As an avid chamber musician, she regularly performs small ensemble concerts throughout the Carolinas and across the southeastern United States. In addition to her performing schedule, Amy is a passionate music educator, maintaining an active private teaching studio, as well as mentoring music students in schools. Amy coaches the woodwind section of the Youth Orchestras of Charlotte Preparatory Orchestra and also coaches chamber music at the Northwest School of the Arts. She has taught flute at Spelman College, Wingate University, Queens University, and is currently on faculty at Davidson College. Amy lives in Charlotte with her husband, Geoffrey, who is also a professional musician.

Mark Brown – Class of 1964. Mark Brown is the first Mercer graduate to be recognized as both an individual member of the Athletic Hall of Fame and honoree of the Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame. Mark attended John Carroll University and graduated from Grove City College with a degree in Mathematics and Education. He was a faculty member of the Sharpsville Area School District for 33 years and served as their Middle School basketball coach for 9 years. A dedication to service in the Mercer community has been a staple of his life. Along with his wife, Linda, Mark initiated and ran the Mercer Memorial Day 500 for a decade, which continues to be an event that strengthens our community. Mark has served on the Board of Directors for the Mercer County Historical Society for 50 years, during which time he served an 8-year term as President where he oversaw construction of the Anderson House. Mark continues to serve as secretary of the organization, a post which he has held for the past 25 years. Additionally, Mark has been an active member of the Mercer Area Rotary for 15 years, serving as the chapter secretary for two of those years. To this day, Mark volunteers to deliver Meals on Wheels to residents in the Mercer area. As a lifelong resident of Jefferson Township and the Mercer Borough, Mark Brown continues to demonstrate the value of giving back to his community.