Warren Blount, Michael Royal, Nelda Toussaint and Mary Brennan Woodruff will be recognized
MEDINA – The Medina school district will be recognized four graduates as “Distinguised Alumni” at a ceremony on April 23 at 2 p.m. in the school auditorium.
The honored alumni include:
- Warren Blount – posthumously, Class of 1963
- Michael Royal – Class of 1997
- Nelda Toussaint – posthumously, Class of 1947
- Mary Brennan Woodruff – Class of 1965
Warren Blount in highlighted for outstanding service to his profession. He served three tours of duty during the Vietnam War with the United States Marines, including the Battle of Khe Sanh and the Tet Offensive. His received the Purple Heart, the Naval Commendation Medal, the Bronze Star, and the Vietnam Cross.
Following his military service, Warren transitioned from the battlefield to the operating room, dedicating himself to the pursuit of medical excellence. After graduating from the University of Birmingham, he became a highly skilled Surgeon’s Assistant in Cardiac Vascular Surgery. His career in Michigan saw him assist in over 6,000 open-heart surgeries and transplants, working alongside world-class surgeons to save countless lives.
He furthered his education at the Michigan University College of Human Medicine, completing a residency in Emergency Medicine to expand his capacity to care for those in crisis.
Blount concluded his distinguished career in Tallahassee, Florida, where he served for 17 years as a practicing emergency physician at the Capital Region Medical Center.
“Whether in the heat of combat or the intensity of the emergency room, Warren Blount lived a life of purpose that fundamentally changed the lives of others,” the school district said. “He remains a shining example of the heights a Medina alumnus can reach through hard work and a heart for service.”
Mary Brennan Woodruff is being honored for outstanding service to her community. Her distinguished 35-year career in education at the Royalton-Hartland School District was marked by a versatile mastery of teaching, ranging from elementary classrooms to specialized middle school mathematics.
Beyond the classroom, Woodruff emerged as a formidable leader in her profession, serving nine terms as Union President and chairing the district’s Professional Council.
Her impact on the local landscape is perhaps most visible through her visionary leadership of the Medina Hometown Heroes initiative. Inspired by a family tribute to her father-in-law, she launched the program in 2019 to honor the military men and women of Medina.
“With meticulous attention to detail and profound empathy for grieving families, Mary has coordinated the placement of over 410 banners throughout the village,” the district said. “Her tireless work balancing design, sponsorship, and logistics has transformed the streets of Medina into a living gallery of gratitude, ensuring that the sacrifices of local veterans are never forgotten.”
Woodruff made history in 2012 by becoming the first woman elected to the Ridgeway Town Council in the town’s 200-year history. Now serving her third term, she remains a steadfast advocate for her constituents and a vital member of the Decorate Medina Committee.
Dr. Michael Royal, Ed. D. is recognized for excellence in his profession. Dr. Royal has built a distinguished career defined by academic excellence and leadership.
A member of the National Honor Society and a record-setting athlete in the 4×400 relay, he carried his Medina work ethic to the Mooresville Graded School District in North Carolina.
Since 2001, he has ascended from an award-winning mathematics teacher and Principal of Mooresville High School to Chief Operations Officer—where he oversaw over $100 million in construction projects—and currently serves as Assistant Superintendent. His visionary leadership in digital learning and student growth earned him the 2016–2017 Administrator of the Year award and led to his appointment as Interim Superintendent in 2022.
Dr. Royal also is a legendary figure in North Carolina athletics. One of only five coaches inducted into the Mooresville High School Athletic Hall of Fame, he led his teams to a staggering 39 team titles and six State Championships. Most notably, his 2007–2008 boys’ teams achieved the historic “Triple Crown,” winning State Championships in Cross Country, Indoor Track and Outdoor Track—a feat unmatched by any other boys’ program in state history.
Beyond the scoreboard, his contribution to humanity is seen in his devotion to his brother, Corey. By running marathons for Team Spina Bifida, he turned personal loss into a mission of hope, raising vital funds and awareness in Corey’s memory.
Nelda Toussaint is recognized for “Outstanding Service to her Community.” Toussaint was a woman of remarkable intellect and determination, graduating at the age of 16 before earning a degree in Fine Arts from Syracuse University, the district noted.
After returning to her hometown, she applied her meticulous organizational skills to the management of her family’s farm and multiple local law offices.
For over seven decades, Nelda remained a pillar of the Medina community, balancing her professional acumen with a deep-seated commitment to civic duty. Whether managing complex finances or serving as an active member of the First Presbyterian Church, she moved through life with a grace and precision that earned her the enduring respect of her peers.”
She offered an unwavering advocacy for local education. For over 20 years, she served as a vital member and President of the Medina School Board, steering the district through decades of growth and change. She continued to serve on the budget committee and attend meetings well into her 90s, ensuring a bright future for generations of students.
Beyond the school district boardroom, her leadership extended to the Medina Memorial Hospital’s Association of Twigs and the Woods Creek Pony Club, reflecting a lifelong mission to enrich the social and educational fabric of the village she loved, the district said.
“To all who knew her, Nelda was a portrait of vitality and spirit,” the district said. “An adventurer at heart, she traveled the world, notably riding a camel across the Sahara at the age of 89. Nelda Toussaint’s life was a masterclass in active citizenship and family devotion.”
MEDINA – When print newspapers were part of daily life, it was not uncommon for people to clip significant articles – births, marriages, obituaries etc. as tangible records of significant events.
