Our Alumni

We are proud of our alumni legacy. Over the past 180 years, many remarkable individuals have walked through the halls of Port Allegany schools. We think these people have fascinating stories to tell, and we want to share some those stories here with you. May all of our alumni know how honored we are to know you; you are always welcome here at “home.”

Leaving a Legacy

We are very pleased to showcase noteworthy individuals who have left a fine legacy and defined the very essence of what and who we are - those who have made us better simply because they were here.

Alumni of the Month - Ronni Williams Plummer

Year of Graduation: 1969

What have you done since graduating from Port Allegany High School?

Ronni Williams Plummer

I got married a few months after graduation and attended Olean Business Institute where I earned a medical secretary diploma, a degree I never made use of.

I’ve been married to my husband John for 42 years. We have four children: Jennifer McDowell, Shawn Ridenhour, Jonathan Plummer, and Katie Plummer.  They have blessed me with eight grandchildren: Zac and Drew McDowell, Lennon and River Ridenhour (and step-grandkids Cletus, Jake, and Stephanie Ridenhour), and Crew Plummer.

My first job after graduating from OBI was in the office at Viko, later Ethan Allen Furniture. I worked in a toy factory. (Do you remember Wooly Willy?) I was an admissions clerk at Port Allegany Hospital and was a waitress/bartender at the Ideal Restaurant. For 17 years, I worked at the First National Bank of Port Allegany as a bookkeeper and then a data processing manager. After hours, for a few years, I tended bar and waited tables at the Two Mile Inn and also worked as a clerk at the Port Pharmacy. While living in Port, I was very active in the community as a Girl Scout leader, Little League coach, VBS teacher, PTO president, PTO secretary, reported community events for PACT-TV, hosted "Port Perspective" on WHKS radio, and served as an EMT with PAAS for eight years. 

I moved to North Carolina in 1995 to work for Jack Henry & Associates, a banking software company where I provided deposit support to banks that utilized their products. In 1999, I became item processing manager, responsible for statement printing and check processing for 25 to 30 banks, surviving Y2K. For a time, I served as interim data processing manager for the Charlotte office of Jack Henry's Data Center which provided daily operations and support for nearly 100 banks. For the last nine years of my 21 year career there, I was a customer relationship manager providing my assigned banks the support and problem-solving actions needed to maintain their business.

I retired in 2016 and remained so for six years traveling and enjoying time spent with my family. After the COVID pandemic, I needed to interact with people again. I have worked for Lowe's Home Improvement for 22 months in their Home Decor department. I am the "blinds lady" cutting window blinds to size.

Where do you currently live?

Concord, North Carolina

Who was your favorite teacher in high school? Why were they your favorite?

There were several: Mr. Borro; Mr. Petrisek. Mr. Gribbin, Mr. McCormick, Mr. Sturga, Mr. Mensch, Mr. Christensen, and many others who each gave me slack while allowing me to absorb what I could.

What is your fondest memory of Port Allegany High School? 

I have so many: Drama Club, senior assembly, undefeated football team, dances, and friends. I loved high school.