musical memories

By Rod Haxton, editor

Former directors,
past performances
are remembered
during SC reunion

During the final days before his death, when the cancer had destroyed his nerves and he could no longer move fingers which had once glided over the piano keys, Vernon Dietz knew that one of his greatest joys in life had been stolen away from him.
He confided to his wife, Verda, that no one would remember him or his passion for music.
“I told him that his music would live on forever with those whom he had taught and those who had heard him play,” remembered Verda.
And the former Scott Community High School band director will be forever remembered by thousands of future musicians who pass through the doorway of the newly dedicated Vernon Dietz Band Room. The late director, along with long-time vocal music accompanist Jean Hardy, were honored by former directors, students and friends during the opening day of the All-School Reunion on Friday.
Several hundred SCHS alumni and family packed the Main Street corridor for the late afternoon unveiling of new plaques on the Alumni Wall, the addition of senior panels from 1905-34 and a ribbon cutting for the fine arts wing which hadn’t been completed in time for the last reunion in 2005.
The hallway leading to the vocal and band rooms has been lined with framed panels which celebrate 50 years of musical productions from 1960-2010. It was also an opportunity to dedicate the Jean Hardy Vocal Music Room and the Vernon Dietz Band Room.
“My family and I were very honored that they elected to name the band room in Vernon’s memory,” says Verda. “I told them they need to remember they have an excellent band director now, but they told me he was in support of it.”
The weekend’s events brought back many memories for Verda, who joined with fellow classmates in celebrating their 50th anniversary since graduating from SCHS.
“I was in the chorus of the first musical we performed back in 1960,” she added.
And there were many of Vernon’s former students in attendance who shared memories of the late band director and how he influenced their lives.
“It was tough at times, especially when a former student is talking to you and begins to cry. It’s hard to stay stoic,” she says. “I’ve had the grace that God has given me to handle it.”
That’s not to say she wasn’t overwhelmed by emotions. While she did participate in reunion activities on Friday and Saturday, she didn’t return on Sunday.
“That was Vernon’s birthday,” she explained.
“It was a very nice evening,” Verda said of Friday’s dedication. “They’ve made (the fine arts wing) a very special place, especially for my grandsons when they go into the band room.”

Hardy is Honored
The other half of the dedication ceremony was devoted to Jean Hardy, who made her mark on SCHS music as an accompanist for musicals from 1960-91.
She was also an accompanist for soloists and vocal groups preparing their selections for festival.
“I can’t describe it. It was just wonderful,” says Hardy about the dedication ceremony. “To read what was engraved on the plaque and to see my name over the doorway is overwhelming. You never think of yourself as deserving that kind of honor.”
The opportunity to visit with former students, as well as band and vocal directors whom she had worked with over the years brought back many memories.
“I’ve always been so proud of Scott Community High School and the accomplishments of all the students. That hasn’t changed. In fact, it’s only gotten better,” she says.
The only regret is that Vernon Dietz couldn’t be in attendance to share in the honor.
“Mr. Dietz had such an impact on so many people,” says Hardy. “But I believe he knew that.”

Browns Return
Given the honor of cutting the ribbon leading to the fine arts wing were Hubert and Sheila Brown, directors of the first SCHS musical in 1960.
The couple had been in Scott City two years ago to visit with friends and attend a small reunion, but this was their first time to attend an All-School Reunion in many years.
“It was a wonderful celebration. It was a reminder why this was the greatest community to live in,” says Sheila, who was the vocal music director while her husband was band director. “It’s amazing to see a community pull together on so many projects.”
The Browns were overwhelmed by the first-class facilities available in the fine arts wing. That’s quite a change from the late 1950s and early 1960s when the Browns had to share space with the basketball team.
“When I came here in 1955, I had to set up and take down chairs every day so the basketball team could practice later in the day,” remembers Hubert.
While the facilities have changed significantly over the years, the Browns were reminded by former students of how much impact they had on their lives.
“We were told time and again how much our input in their lives meant to them - how much music is still a part of their lives,” Sheila said. “That makes you feel pretty good. But we’re just as proud of what our former students have accomplished in their lives.”
The memories kept coming back when the Browns entered the auditorium and were able to hear former SCHS students reprising songs from past musical productions.
“To hear Nancy Marcy, who played Ado Annie, sing “I Cain’t Say No” (from Oklahoma) was wonderful. It brought back so many memories,” Sheila adds.

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The numbers behind the
SC All-School Reunion

Just how big was this year’s Scott Community High School All-School Reunion?
Here are the numbers behind some of the events, as estimated by reunion organizers:
1,600: registered alumni
2,000: total participants since some alumni didn’t register, though they did take part in class gatherings, the parade, dragging Main, etc.
600: in attendance for the dedication ceremony, unveilings and music program at SCHS on Friday.
150: approximate number of vehicles in Sunday’s poker run. This included about 250-300 people.
100: approximate number of volunteers who made the reunion happen.
“We heard from so many people who would say their favorite things were the music program and draggin’ Main, or the parade and draggin’ Main,” says co-chairman Lori Krause. “But it seemed that draggin’ Main was on just about everyone’s list.
“People caught the vision of what we were trying to do. They participated and they had a great time.”

User Comments

• Former Resident

  "I loved reading these stories and only regret I coudn't make it back for the Class of 1970 and for the music rooms dedication. Can someone from the Reunion Committee contact me? - I'm trying to get contact information on Larry Thomas, former vocal teacher. One of my classmates talked to him but didn't think to get his address for me. Hope I hear back,"

  Posted by Janet Eadens-Ladd on Jul. 8, 2010