2025 Inductees
The Saucon Valley Alumni Association, in conjunction with Saucon Valley School District, recognized the 2025 Distinguished Alumni for the Wall of Fame on November 20, 2025, at Saucon Valley High School. The 2025 recipients were Scott Sheriff (Class of 1985) and Ryan O’Connell (Class of 2007).
The Saucon Valley High School Student Council assisted with welcoming guests, and the high school choral ensemble opened the ceremony with the singing of the National Anthem and the Alma Mater. SVAA President, Ken Bloss, and Wall of Fame Chairman, Ron Reichard, provided opening remarks. Designated students read the biographies of the recipients. Ryan O’Connell was able to join via Zoom and his mother accepted the award on her behalf. He gave an overview of his accomplishments and answered student questions. Scott Sheriff was able to attend in person and accepted the award and gave an overview of his accomplishments and answered questions from students. Mayor David Heintzelman also provide Proclamations to each recipient on behalf of the Borough of Hellertown.
Scott Sheriff also met with high school and middle school music students in the morning prior to the ceremony to discuss his music background and how it shaped his future after high school. The student participation for this year’s event was much more involved and students were very attentive to the recipients.
Dr. Richard Kaskey, Saucon Valley High School Principal, provided open and closing remarks congratulating recipients and bringing recognition and honor to the District.
A luncheon was provided by the school following the ceremony.
The Saucon Valley Association is grateful to the District, Student Council, high school choral ensemble and dining services staff for their assistance and participation in this annual recognition. Special thanks to Jaime Vlasaty, Superintendent; Robert Frey, Coordinator of Support Services; Grace Griffaton, Communication Specialist; Michael Hanssen, Supervisor of Technology; Ryan Johnston, Director of Athletics and Student Activities; Kaela Bitting, Band Director; and Lauren Sakasitz, Choral Director.
2025 INDUCTEE – SCOTT SHERIFF CLASS OF 1985
Scott Sheriff is currently the keyboardist/vocalist in Carrie Underwood’s band. He attended Berklee College of Music in Boston to study Music Production and Engineering, as well as taking voice and piano lessons. Scott grew up in a musical family with his father playing stand up bass in a big band, and his mother is a skilled pianist and organist. It wasn’t until his junior high school year when his musical skills began and started a group with some junior high school friends called Black Horizon. During his high school years, he studied under Choral Director Dennis Smith and considered him his first mentor and was very influential in forging Scott’s musical tastes. Black Horizon disbanded and another band was formed and named Drama. It was then he composed and recorded his first two songs “Second Chance” and “Together Forever.”
After graduating from Berklee College of Music, Scott moved to Nashville in 1989. He became producer/engineer for McSpadden Smith Music Publishing working with their writers for several years. During that time, his live playing career got back on track, and he played with the Christian band, Allies, featuring Bob Carlisle and Randy Thomas, who would later author a little tune called “Butterfly Kisses.” That opened the door to audition for Steven Curtis Chapman in 1992, and Scott has played in his band for several tours.
In 2006, Scott began playing shows with Kenny Loggins and became his full time Music Director and keyboardist from 2007-2010 and continues to play occasionally when time permits. He was also introduced to David Foster’s music supervisor and invited to his team of engravers for David’s records and live shows. If you attend one of David’s live shows, chances are they are playing one of Scott’s transcriptions. Kelly Clarkson’s Musical Director is another one of Scott’s repeat engraving clients.
In June 2015, Scott was offered the position of keyboardist/vocalist in Carrie Underwood’s band and holds the position currently. In between tours, he has performed with other artists, some recording work, and various jobs as Music Director. Scott has dabbled in songwriting and have had cuts with Christian artists Bryan Duncan and Kim Boyce. He also has worked at a couple churches in Nashville, and teaches and plays at various worship conferences and seminars.
In 2003, after listening to a lot of Steely Dan, Scott put together a tribute show in Nashville and created a band called Twelve Against Nature. This led to Scott forming a company called ClassicTributeBands.com which includes two other bands. To top it off, Scott also performs with The Eaglemaniacs, a tribute to Don Henley and the Eagles.
2025 INDUCTEE – RYAN O’CONNELL CLASS OF 2007
Ryan O’Connell is currently the Music Director at Disneyland Resort in California for live entertainment, and as a teaching artist for Disney Imagination Campus. Ryan also grew up in a musical family as his father was the band director at Saucon Valley for a few years, and his mother is currently a church organist. His family was also quite involved with the Theatre program at Saucon Valley High School for several years, and Ryan also received a Student Achievement Award at the 2007 Freddy’s Awards at Easton State Theatre.
After high school graduation, Ryan attended the University of Southern California for the prestigious Scoring for Motion Pictures and Television program. Ryan has made his mark writing music for media composing for Fox, Netflix, Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon, Disney, NBC and CBS. He co-wrote with Valerie Vigoda for music for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts. He also assisted with orchestrations for “Sinatra 100” on CBS, and “Michael Bublѐ’s Christmas in Hollywood” on NBC and providing orchestrations for Randy Rainbow’s Grammy-nominated album “A Little Brains, A Little Talent.” He also did arrangements and orchestrations in the new film “The Haunting of the Queen Mary”, where he also makes an on-screen appearance as the ship’s bandleader.
Ryan also actively works as an orchestrator and Music Director having been involved in over 100 stage productions. He was recently the lead orchestrator and Music Director for the Off-Broadway premiere of “Ernest Shackleton Loves Me” at Second Stage and is a frequent orchestrator for acclaimed musical theatre writer Marshall Pallet. Ryan has written several musicals and is currently working with Valerie Vigoda and Tony-winner Joe DiPietro titled “Miss Foxhold 1975” which is in active development.
Ryan continues to be in demand as a composer, arranger, orchestrator, music director and conductor. His music has been heard worldwide in a variety of venues, and widely known for his choral arrangements for Shawnee Press and Alfred. He has worked with many notable artists including Bette Midler, Bublѐ, Megan Hilty, Jon McLaughlin, Marc Shaiman, Randy Rainbow, Teri Hatcher, Dane Cook, Bebe Neuwirth, and Curtis Moore.
