Oroville Union High School District honors 2025 Hall of Fame class, including a 100-year-old inductee

The Oroville Union High School District on the evening of its annual ceremony inducted about 20 people into the 2025 Hall of Fame, recognizing longtime educators, veterans, business leaders and community volunteers.

Timothy David Chu, introduced by the emcee as a 35-year Las Plumas High School teacher and coach, was among the honorees. Chu reflected on arriving in Northern California to teach and dedicated his induction to the memory of his daughter and to his family. “This is for Asia,” he said.

Other inductees included Marcy Perucci DeMartil, a long-serving county elections official and community volunteer; Abby Mobley Lisonbee, co-founder of the Ginger People brand; Debbie Robertson Hammond, a former Las Plumas athlete and marketing executive; and Rob Rodney, who described decades of local business and coaching work tied to Oroville.

One of the night’s most noted moments came when organizers introduced Lyle Damon Phillips, a World War II veteran who turned 100 and attended the ceremony. Phillips accepted the honor and thanked the audience for the recognition.

Professor Chad Hewitt, unable to attend in person, sent a recorded message that played for the audience; his father, Bob Hewitt, accepted the honor on his son’s behalf and thanked the Hall of Fame committee.

Several inductees used their remarks to credit teachers, coaches and local mentors. Abby Mobley Lisonbee said she was “honored, humbled, and more than a little nostalgic” to be recognized by her hometown. Debbie Hammond thanked a teacher and coach whose help changed her path to college and business.

The event included repeated raffle drawings to raise funds for Hall of Fame scholarships and programming; organizers described baskets featuring local art, restaurant vouchers, hotel packages and school memorabilia. The emcee and volunteers acknowledged donors and technical staff who produced slideshows and supported the evening.

Butte County District Attorney Mike Ramsey closed the ceremony with a speech praising Oroville’s community ties and urging attendees to invest in the next generation. “What a remarkable evening, and what a remarkable community,” Ramsey said.

The ceremony ended with the assembled inductees and audience joining in a call-and-response spelling of “Oroville” before attendees dispersed. No formal votes or legislative actions were recorded at the event.