2025 Inductees

Grant Community High School is pleased to announce the selection of Mr. Paul G. Lewis, posthumously, and Mr. Donny Schmit to the Hall of Fame.

Paul Lewis graduated from GCHS in the Class of 1935.  During his tenure at Grant, he was a three-sport athlete in each of his 4 years. He went on to earn an undergraduate degree from the University of Illinois and spent his career at GCHS.  He served in a variety of coaching roles, including head football coach and head baseball coach winning several conference championships in baseball. Two of his baseball athletes went on to play Major League Baseball.  He served as a Physical Education teacher for 24 years followed by the Athletic Director for 15 years. He founded the "G" Club, implemented the "Father & Son Banquet." His dream throughout his career was to construct state-of-the-art athletic facilities at Grant, which he played a tremendous roll in. He went on to chair the committee that constructed the Block House as we know it today and successfully led the effort to install lights on the football field. The GCHS Board of Education named the athletic field after Mr. Lewis in memoriam. Mr. Lewis was also very involved in the greater Grant community, having served as a member of St. Bede's Knights of Columbus, St. Jude's League, Fox Lake Lions Club, Fox Lake Volunteer Fire Department, Lake County Firemen's Association and was a deputy for the Lake County Sheriff's Office for 21 years.

Donny Schmit graduated from GCHS in the Class of 1971. During his brief tenure at Grant, he was a student-athlete and lettered in football and wrestling.  He went on to a successful career in in the trades, while treasuring the friendships he made during his senior year.  He has been a pillar in the Fox Lake community for many years, as a Village Trustee, on the Planning Commission Board and currently in his fourth consecutive term as the Mayor of Fox Lake.  During his tenure as mayor, he has been a tremendous supporter of Grant Community High School, attending academic, extracurricular and co-curricular events, hosting student interns for career exploration, incorporating student voice into the Village’s strategic planning process, attending GCHS board meetings, and recognizing students, teams, sponsors and coaches for their accomplishments at Village board meetings.  He has served in a variety of leadership positions for the Fox Lake Planning Commission Board, Lake County Municipal League, the Illinois Municipal League, the Stormwater Management Commission of Lake County, and Lake County Land Bank.  He spent more than 25 years as a member of the Fox Lake Volunteer Fire Department, coached for the Lakeland Cardinals, and spent time as a Lions Club instructor for the blind bowling league.  He is an active member and leader of his church, receiving the Christi Fidelis award from Cardinal George as volunteer of the year.  He also gave of his own time and resources to make improvements to the Village of Fox Lake.  He is a respected leader in our community and serves as an excellent role model for our students.

The family of Paul G. Lewis and Donny Schmit will take part in several homecoming activities, including a reception in their honor on September 18, 2025, an all-school pep assembly, the varsity football game, and the homecoming parade.

Please join us for the following homecoming activities to recognize our Hall of Fame recipients:

Thursday, September 18, 2025 – a reception will be held to honor the inductees in the auditorium lobby from 6:30 – 7:00 p.m. immediately followed by the Board of Education meeting in the auditorium to formally recognize the induction. 

Friday, September 19, 2025 – the inductees will be recognized at an all-school pep assembly that begins at 12:30 p.m. in the fieldhouse and at the beginning of the varsity football game in the evening, and needs to report to the football field by 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, September 20, 2025 – the inductees will take part in leading the Homecoming Parade at 9:00 a.m. and should report to the student parking lot no later than 8:45 a.m.