The Thomas P. Ryan Hall of Fame was established more than four decades ago to honor the outstanding achievements of graduates of the East Side Union High School District. It serves to recognize East Side alumni who have achieved notable success in the fields of public service, the arts, science, athletics, business, education, and beyond.
There are East Side graduates serving in leadership roles around the world, and too often, their stories go untold. The Foundation’s goal is to make sure more of them are heard. More than 150 individuals have been inducted into the Hall of Fame since 1972, among them skateboarding pioneer Steve Caballero, Superior Court Judge Jacqueline Duong, retired Congressman Mike Honda, award-winning author Khaled Hosseini, nonprofit director Camille Llanes-Fontanilla, Super Bowl champion quarterback Jim Plunkett, playwright and screenwriter Luis Valdez, and Yahoo! co-founder Jerry Yang.
See Hall of Fame Members by Name
See Hall of Fame Members by Year
See Hall of Fame Photos
Hall of Fame Nominations
Nominations for the Hall of Fame are open to the community and accepted on a rolling basis. This year's nomination deadline is on Thursday, July 3, 2025. The Foundation’s Board of Directors evaluates nominees for induction annually. All inductees are honored on permanent plaques outside Board Chambers at the district office.
The ideal Hall of Fame candidate:
- Achieves widespread recognition in their chosen field;
- Makes significant contributions to society;
- Demonstrates outstanding citizenship;
- Exhibits qualities of leadership; and
- Demonstrates qualities in a manner that will inspire the students of the ESUHSD.