On Saturday, May 10, 2025, four talented and more-than-deserving individuals entered the LWHS Highlander Hall of Fame during a ceremony held at Webber International University. Over 100 attendees and sponsors of the program were present. 
This year’s list of Hall of Famers includes April Caraway Barnhardt, class of 1994; Paul Buehner, former Athletic Director; Pat Cain, class of 1965; and Bill Marston, class of 1965. Barnhardt and Buehner were present at the event; Cain and Marston were awarded posthumously.
Shelli Jacobs, Highlander Hall of Fame Chair, says Lake Wales is a tremendous place to create history through sports.
“There are things so special about growing up in a small town that you just can’t put words to,” says Jacobs. “I will forever be proud of the place I call home. It is where I was raised and where I chose to raise my children. I am so proud to say I graduated from LWHS and truly believe there is nothing like the Highlander Heritage.”
April Caraway Barnhardt graduated from LWHS is 1994. She was active in the Lake Wales Little League program. While attending high school, she played varsity volleyball for three years and varsity softball for four years. She was named All-District and All-State in softball during each of her for four years. She was also named All-County and All-Area in volleyball. During her senior year, April was selected as the Lake Wales High School Femaile Athlete of the Year after receiving a softball scholarship to play, at what was then called, Polk Community College. She continued playing the game throughout her years in higher education. As a graduate of the University of Mississippi, she returned to Lake Wales to begin her teaching career at Lake Wales High School, where she has coached the girls volleyball and softball teams over several years. Barnhardt has continued her support of student education in athletics by working for the LWCS for 25 years and coaching multiple youth sports programs. 
Paul Buehner has been involved at Lake Wales High School since 1985, when his oldest child was a freshman. He was named the Athletic Director in 1987. He inherited a program that was more than $20,000 in the red, and was told that his job was “to get Lake Wales in the black” in just a few years. By motivating and supporting the coaches, LWHS was able to turn that around. Every sport became involved in fundraising. He sold Highlander sweat attire and Highlander Barbecue Sauce, known as Highlander Hooch, just to name a few of his initiatives. Buehner credits the Highlander Booster Club for playing a big role in helping athletics to cut expenses. He would serve the next 26 years at Lake Wales, serving several different areas, including AD for 16 years, teaching physical education classes, and also serving as the Migrant Director. He taught in several capacities at the high school during his term. Under his leadership, Lake Wales won several district championships, along with County, regional, and state titles. He spent 43 years in the field of education before his retirement. 
Pat Cain, who passed away in May 2024, was third generation Lake Wales resident. He was class vice president all four years of his high school career, and also played offensive and defensive line for the Highlanders football team. His senior year, his team won the SW Florida Conference under Coach Wes Abbrams. He attended Georgia Tech on a football scholarship and later graduated with a major in finance from the University of Florida. He worked in the Financial industry for over 29 years. He has served Lake Wales as mayor and city commissioner, as well as had a heavy involvement in many community organizations by serving on the boards of Lake Wales Citrus Growers Association, Lake Wales Care Center, Lake Wales Charter Schools, Victory Ridge Academy, and the Lake Wales Arts Center. Cain was past president of the Lake Wales YMCA and the Lake Wales High School Booster Club. 
William “Bill” Marston, who passed away in 2017, was a proud graduate of Lake Wales High School, class of 1965, and made a lasting impact on the school’s athletic legacy. He was the varsity football quarterback and punter for the Highlander’s. He also showcased his athletic prowess as a member of the varsity basketball and baseball teams. Following his graduation, Bill attended Morehead State University where he continued his football career. In 1966 he led the Morehead Eagles to an Ohio Valley Conference football championship. He holds the remarkable distinction of being the all-time leader for both Morehead State University and the OVC in two-point conversions in a career with a record of eight (4 rushing and 4 passing). He also ranked 19th in all-time passing yards per game at MSU in 1969 with an impressive average of 175.4 yards, just shy of the legendary Phil Simms, who average 204.1 yards in 13th place. Fueled by his passion for the game, Bill transitioned into coaching shortly after completing college. He was head football coach for the Santa Fe Catholic Crimson Hawks, where he led them to an impressive 8-1 record in 1972. He also served as coach at Kathleen High School and later as assistant coach at Lake Wales High School in the late 1980s. 
Jacobs says that starting the Highlander Hall of Fame in 2019 has personally brought her so much happiness.
“Being able to start the tradition six years ago of the Highlander Hall of Fame has brought so much joy to my life,” she says. “Giving back to a place that gave me so much as a high school student just feels right.”
In establishing the Highlander Hall of Fame:
Our Purpose is to Celebrate the Highlander Athletic Program, Honor the Past Success of Highlander Athletics, Inform Students & the Community about the Highlander Athletic Program’s history, Promote School Spirit & Unity, and Reconnect Alumni with the Highlander Booster Club and Athletic Program.
Go Highlanders!
