New Philadelphia family graduates 30 years apart
Carole Finzer (Thomas) was a 1960 graduate of NPHS.
Nathan Walker is a recent graduate of NPHS this year in 2020.
Deb Walker (Finzer) was a 1990 graduate of NPHS.
Many Tuscarawas County families can claim deep roots in the area, passing generations driving the same roads, sharing the same stories and attending the same schools.
Deb Walker, who lives with her husband Brian in New Philadelphia, likes to share just such a story of local longevity about her family, which has seen graduates of New Philadelphia High School stretching back to the 1930s.
“New Philadelphia is kind of in our blood at this point,” Deb Walker said. “It actually goes back to my grandfather, Donald Thomas, who graduated from NPHS in 1937.”
Then came her mother, Carole Thomas (now Finzer), who was a 1960 graduate of NPHS. Finzer became a model of extracurricular activity, which would be handed down to her children and grandchildren. She was a member of the future nurses club, achieved the highest possible rank as a Girl Scout, was active in the local 4-H club, and was a fully participating member of the youth group and choir at the United Church of Christ.
Finzer pursued nursing at Akron City Hospital, graduating in 1963. Thereafter she dug into a nursing career at Mt. Sinai in Cleveland. She now enjoys retirement, still in New Philadelphia, with her husband Ken, spending time with her two grown children, Deb and Greg, and six grandchildren.
Deb Finzer, now Walker, followed through the New Philadelphia school system, graduating in 1990. “We weren’t high school sweethearts,” Deb Walker said, “but Brian and I graduated from New Philadelphia High School together.”
Deb Walker also was quite busy in and out of school classes. She was active in Delphian Chorale, QTs dance team and the NPHS bowling league. She was an active member of her youth group and youth choir at Broadway United Methodist Church.
After graduation Deb Walker began her education at Stark Technical College and was a 1993 graduate, becoming a physical therapist assistant. She currently works with her husband as an office assistant at I-Group Technologies. The couple has three children: Nathan, Daniel and Samantha, all attending New Philadelphia schools.
Nathan Walker is the latest graduate of New Philadelphia High School in the family, finishing classes this year, but his own story, though filled with the same kind of busy schedule as his mother and grandmother, has been singular: no graduation ceremony, no prom. Both were canceled due to COVID-19 restrictions.
“I think that has been the hardest thing for him,” Deb Walker said. “The kids were getting used to things being canceled, but the prom was especially hard.”
Nathan Walker achieved membership in the National Honor Society, was active in Science Olympiad and marching band as a trumpet player, and was an academic challenge member. He earned Eagle Scout with Troop 84 in New Philadelphia this spring. He also was a member of Sticks and Stones 4-H club.
Nathan Walker also has been active in Project Lead the Way at New Philadelphia High School and was grand champion of the regional bridge-building contest at Kent State University in both 2018 and 2019. In 2019 he placed 12th in the world at Johns Hopkins University in the bridge-building competition.
“That’s something he is especially proud of,” Deb Walker said of her son. “People say, ‘You placed 12th?’ and he says, ‘Yeah, in the world.’”
Nathan Walker is pursuing an education in civil engineering at Akron University this fall.
Would Deb Walker want her own kids to stay here and watch another generation graduate from New Philadelphia High School?
“Well, when Brian and I were starting out, I really thought we would live somewhere else,” she said. “He is very outgoing, and the opportunities seemed like they might be better elsewhere. But when it came time to settle down and raise a family, we found there was really no better place to do that. For my own kids, I hope they will go wherever God leads them in their lives. I do think you need to live somewhere else for a while to really appreciate all this area has to offer.”
The oddball spring semester at school for 2020 students also has brought about an appreciation for life in general. “I think they’ve all learned about not taking things for granted,” Deb Walker said. “I know they have really missed the chance to be together this spring and share all the school functions they’ve missed. It has been a learning experience for a lifetime.”