From left to right: John Cherry, Darla Hannan-Waters, Tom Cole, Lisa Ross-Miller, Chester Lawrence, Mr. Ross Hill, VHS Athletic Director

John Cherry

John Cherry was in the VHS Class of 1949. He was the "Great Ambassador" for VHS athletes. He was a three year starter and he captained the ‘49 team with a record of 23-3.

Cherry was also a VHS track athlete who won the half mile and the one mile run in every dual and triangular meet his junior and senior years. He attended the University of Alabama on a basketball scholarship.

Cherry was a starter and leading scorer in his first varsity game as a sophomore. He transferred to SIU and started as a playmaking guard. Mr. Cherry coached Carbondale High School to place at State in 1967, and that year they defeated three teams rated #1.

Cherry went on to a ten year career at Carbondale High School, and was also named the Carbondale Citizen of the Year, 2004.

Darla Hannan-Waters

Darla Hannan-Waters was in the Class of 2000. She was a two time State Track Champion in the 100 and 200 meters in 2000. She finished first in 100 and 200 meters in 41 races in 1999 and 2000.

Waters was also named the Southern Illinoisan Scholar Athlete of the Year 2000. She also holds the school records for 100 meters (12.30 seconds), 200 meters (25.60 seconds), and 400 meters (58.14 seconds).

Waters finished second at State in the 200 meter race in 1999, and finished third at State in the 400 meters in 2000. She also signed a Track Scholarship with Southeast Missouri State University.

Tom Cole

Tom Cole is a former Athletic Director at VHS. He was the Athletic Director for 25 years (1978-2003).

Cole was also the VHS baseball coach (1973-1982) with a 239-81 win-loss record. He led the 1978 team to third place in the State Tourney Finish with a 34-4 record.

Cole won two South Egyptian Conference Championships, two Districts Titles, one Regional, and one Sectional Championship. He was also named to the Southern Illinois Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

Cole was also an outstanding VHS Physical Education teacher from 1972-2004.

Lisa Ross-Miller

Lisa Ross-Miller is from the Class of 1993. She was VHS women’s leading scorer with 1,390 points. She was a four year starter in basketball and softball. She also led the basketball team to the Sweet 16 in 1993, with a 24-4 record and a four year record of 80 wins and 29 losses.

Miller was on the softball team that had 136 wins and 38 losses during her four years, with one trip to the quarter finals. She also holds the school record for the most assists in a season (170) and career (510).

Miller was named All-South in basketball and softball her junior and senior years.

Chester Lawrence

Chester Lawrence is from the Class of 1966. He was a VHS men’s all time leading scorer, with 1,897 points in his high school career.

Lawrence had the most points in one season, with 781 in the 1965-1966 season, and he had the most points in one game, with 51 in the 1965-1966 season.

Lawrence attended the University of Kansas on a basketball scholarship. He led his team to a school record of 24 wins in the 65-66 season.

Mr. Lawrence is a very respected Vienna businessman, and a lifelong supporter of VHS athletics.