John J. Ash
OHS Class of 1950

John J. Ash holds the distinction of serving as Olean’s first ever full-time mayor, an accomplishment which capped almost four decades of unselfish service to the City of Olean. Mr. Ash served on the city’s Common Council for 26 years and was mayor from 1985-1997.

While mayor, Mr. Ash led the effort to approve Olean’s first charter revision in almost 80 years, spearheaded early efforts to persuade Jamestown Community College to build a new campus in downtown Olean, and introduced the Tree and Sidewalk Improvement Programs to the city. He also convinced federal officials to build a new post office in downtown Olean and introduced the Economic Development Zone to the city.

Mr. Ash and his family own and operate one of the city’s most established businesses, John Ash Cleaners

Vincent Monachino

Vincent Monachino began his teaching career at Olean High in September of 1972. He was an advocate for all students and demonstrated the true qualities of a successful teacher. Monachino would often take students to “Scholastic Challenge” on Saturday mornings without any compensation from the district.

Mr. Monachino would often reward students by taking them to dinner at a restaurant of their choice if they received 100 percent on the NYS Math Regents. He would invite his senior math class for dinner at his home on an annual basis, which always included his homemade cannoli. Mr. Monachino was a fixture at school events, often watching his students participate in their extra-curricular activities.

In 2000, Olean students selected Mr. Monachino as the teacher who influenced them the most within the high school.

Maureen Keenan LeBoeuf, Ed.D.
OHS Class of 1972

Retired Brigadier General Maureen Keenan LeBoeuf graduated from Olean High in 1972 and St. Bonaventure University in 1976. Ms. Keenan LeBoeuf later earned her Master’s and Doctorate of Education from the University of Georgia.

Upon graduation from St. Bonaventure, Ms. Keenan LeBoeuf received a direct commission as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army. During her 28 year career in the Army, she held various staff and leadership positions as well as piloting UH-1 helicopters in the continental United States and Europe.

Ms. Keenan LeBoeuf also served as a professor and head of the Department of Physical Education at the United States Military Academy at West Point from 1992 until her retirement in 2004. Her position carried the unique title of “Master of the Sword.” She was the first woman department head at the United States Military Academy since its founding in 1802 and retired with the rank of Brigadier General.