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Scott High School’s Hall of Fame
By Zahra Aprili
Soulcial Scene Contributor
"Connecting
our Past, Present and Future" is the motto and goal of the
Scott High School Alumni Association, a goal which was set
aflame in the hearts of multiple generations of Bulldog
graduates gathered to celebrate the reestablishment of the
Scott Alumni Hall of Fame on Saturday, March 12, 2016 at the
Pinnacle in Maumee.
“We have
been working toward this event for the past year and we are
so excited to see all of our hard work come to fruition,”
said co-chairman of the event, Zahra Collins (c/o 2000),
while watching attendees arrive to the sold out event. “We
have 12 noteworthy graduates being honored and you will find
that all of our greeters escorting our guests are recipients
of a scholarship this year. The committee thought that it
was important for everyone to see the fine young men and
women that Scott High School is producing.”
The program
booklet became an instant keepsake while attendees, laughed
and cried as they reminisced with the inductees; leafing
through and sharing life’s joys and challenges which their
Scott experiences had well prepared them.
The
mistress of ceremonies for the luncheon was Leverette
Elementary’s assistant principal, Taria Blanchard, Scott's
2002 salutatorian and homecoming queen. All attendees stood
and proudly sang all three verses of Scott Loyalty
lead by Errick Dixon (c/o 1989), his sister Tishla (c/o
1992) along with his daughter Dionne who marched with the
band as a mini- majorette.
David
Brundage, a 1964 graduate, baritone opera singer, and one of
this year's inductees challenged all as he sang the theme
from Camelot "To Dream the Impossible Dream.”
He travelled from Virginia to also share in the posthumous
recognition of his brother, Robert "Dr. Bob" Brundage, a
bio-physicist and inventor who had been a community activist
and the historian for SHSAA.
Invocation
was given by 1982 Homecoming Queen Elder Michelle
Jeffries-Rhodes from Sandusky. The tasty food was then
served by the staff of The Pinnacle in Maumee.
Collins,
who is also the chairman of the Scholarship Committee,
presented framed certificates to the scholarship recipients
as their families and friends cheered. Scholarship amounts
ranged from $200 to $1,000. The scholarships were available
through the work of the Alumni Association and donations
from The Brundage Family, Harriett Allen (c/o 1965), The
Crayon Family, Carnell Smith, EdD, and three classes 1964,
1985, and 2000. The scholarship recipients were: Blake
Alyse Minter, Charlvon Gaston, Andre Luis Matthews, Maudie
Smith, Kiana Sherese McHaney, Diane Erinette Hendricks,
Jaydah Bryant and Maurissa Crawford.
Scott
Graduate-City Council members in attendance were Theresa M.
Gabriel and Larry Sykes. Council woman Yvonne Harper
introduced inductee, past Toledo Board of Education
president, former City Council president and Scott graduate
Wilma Brown.
Scott
Principal Treva Jeffries introduced her former teacher and
greatest staff support inductee Trevor Black. A seamstress
par excellente she has created homecoming gowns for
the Scott court for three decades. She is also advisor to
the Student Council.
Retired
educator and coach Donald Steve Cole had a full entourage of
well-wishers. He was introduced by his daughter Kecia Cole
who travelled from New York to praise her dad. He was
recognized four times as Coach of the Year in tennis. Cole
chairs the sympathy and Condolence Committee for SHSAA.
State
Senator Edna Brown, who attended Scott, introduced her
brother, inductee Johnny Hutton. He is a retired Scott
principal and coached Scott's Shoe Bowl championship
football team. Currently, a school improvement consultant
for the Ohio Dept. Of Education, Hutton continues to impact
the life of students.
Stanford
(Stan) Odesky was introduced by his granddaughter. A 1955
graduate, Odesky is a retired entrepreneur, market analyst,
and political analyst for local television. He chaired the
celebration of Scott's 75th and 100th year anniversaries.
He looks forward to chairing the next similar observance.
Charvette
Jones (c/o 1989) brought tears to everyone's eyes as she
shared "growing up Scott" in the home of Ernie Jones, a
posthumous inductee. She explained that Scott signs and
t-shirts were always being created, with love, in the home
of Scott's #1 supporter. She continued by proclaiming that
Graduating from Scott is a family heritage for ALL in the
family that live in Toledo. Jones taught art and respect
for the African-American experience for more than 20 years
at Scott. He was a cofounder of the City-Wide Afro Ball.
Jeff Nelson
born in South Africa, fell in love with the Old West End.
Dreading the thought of a vacant lot on Collingwood and
Machen, he was spurred into action. Using his marketing
skills, and endearing personality, Nelson formed Save
Our Scott which spearheaded the movement to do
just that! He also served on the Oversight Committee for
the renovation of the building. This honorary alumni, was
vital in saving a Toledo historical and cultural landmark.
He was introduced by SHSAA Vice President Dick Eppstein.
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