87th DeDication Day - Kate Duncan Smith DAR School

Points of Interest
• Marching Patriots
• Yochim Building
• Lady Patriots
• Alumni Spotlight
• Holiday Organ Concert
• Snowflake Campaign
NOVEMBER 2011
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87th Dedication Day
The rainy weather couldn’t dampen the spirits of the more
than 120 DAR members who visited to celebrate the Kate
Duncan Smith DAR School’s 87th Dedication Day activities.
The two-day event, held on Thursday, October 13 and Friday,
October 14, was enjoyed by everyone.
National School
Chairman
Donna Raymond
takes time out from
her official duties to
visit with the precious
KDS students.
plaque unveiled at the conclusion of the ceremony bears
Mrs. Cox’s favorite verse -- “Train up a child in the way he
should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.”
Proverbs 22:6
Alabama State Regent Rita Horton always
enjoys visiting with the KDS students.
Following a warm “welcome to campus” where students
waved signs and presented the DAR guests with flowers and
artwork, the guests took part in a Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony
for the new Marie Hirst Yochim Classroom Building. In addition
to the visiting DAR and other room and building sponsors, this
exciting event was attended by the Marshall County School
Superintendent and members of the Board of Education;
the Mayor of the Town of Grant and members of the Town
Council; the Marshall County District 2 Commissioner; State
Senator Clay Scofield and State Representative Wes Long; the
building’s architect; and representatives from the construction
company.
After lunch and a musical performance by the 6th grade
J.A.C. Club, a Naming Ceremony and Memorial Dedication
program was held for the Gary Wiggins Cox Primary Building.
This meaningful tribute was attended by Mrs. Cox’s children
and their families and by her mother Eleanor Johns. A bronze
On hand for the Naming Ceremony for the Gary Wiggins
Cox Primary Building were Gary’s children - Dan Cox,
Randy Cox, Lisa Edwards – and her mother Eleanor Johns.
Continued on page 4
The Patriot
KDS DAR School News
Page 1
Message from the Chairman
Board of Trustees
KDS EXECUTIVE BOARD
Peggy S. Johnson, AL, Chairman
Connie H. Grund, AL, Vice Chairman
Nan W. Kirk, AL, Secretary
Gail W. Moore, AL, Treasurer
Merry Ann T. Wright, President General, NSDAR
Rita P. Horton, AL, State Regent,
Honorary Chairman for Life
Shelby D. Ward, AL, Vice President General
Patrice R. Donnelly, AL, Advisor to President General
Yvonne S. Boone, IA, Parliamentarian
PRESIDENT GENERAL’S APPOINTEES
Yvonne S. Boone, IA
E. Lynn Brackey, GA
Cricket L. Crigler, NC
Nancy G. Hemmrich, TN
Betsy A. Moreland, LA
Dell D. Scoper, MS
SCHOOL CHAIRMEN
Elizabeth E. Cagle, AL (Alabama)
Donna M. Raymond, TX (National)
STATE REGENT’S APPOINTEES
Connie H. Grund, AL
Helen H. Hahn, AL
Janeal N. Shannon, AL
ELECTED MEMBERS
Sally M. Baldwin, GA
Martha G. Barnhart, IN
Libby W. Bevel, AL
Sara C. Craft, AL
Donna G. Cullen, FL
Deborah L. Davis, PA
Patricia A. Dennert, MI
Candace Fryburger, IL
Ruann N. George, MD
Joy D. Hagg, TX
Karon I. Jarrard, CA
Ann Jenkins, AL
Linda B. Jones, TN
Mindy T. Kammeyer, WA
Morgan L. Lake, MO
Tim Nabors, AL
Kay W. Savage, AL
Hampton Smith, AL
Linda D. Van Niewaal, IA
Denise D. Van Buren, NY
Larry Ward, AL
Janet L. Whittington, MS
HONORARY MEMBERS
Jean F. Armstrong, OH
Mildred R. Byars, AL
Katherine H. Dekle, AL
Betty N. De Vries, NY
Alae Risse B. Leitch, GA
J.E. Moody, AL
Lucy H.S. Taylor, AL
Frederica G. White, AL
Marie H. Yochim, VA
The Patriot
Peggy S. Johnson
What a pleasure it
was to welcome
Donna Raymond,
Chairman,
DAR
School Committee,
NSDAR, and more
than 120 Daughters
and guests from 16
states to the 87th
Dedication
Day
Activities at KDS
DAR School on
October 13 and 14.
Chairman, Kds Dar School
Board of Trustees
After arriving at the
hotel on Wednesday
afternoon, several
of the guests along with their guide Joyce Money
Kennamer, regent of Tidence Lane Chapter in
Scottsboro, embarked on a shopping trip to
“Unclaimed Baggage,” a well-known local business
in the city. On Wednesday evening, we enjoyed
dinner at The Docks Restaurant on beautiful Lake
Guntersville.
Thursday morning, escorted by a Marshall County
Deputy Sheriff, we traveled in a caravan from the
hotel in Scottsboro to KDS. The Grant Police
joined the procession and escorted us onto the
campus. As is the tradition, and even as there
was a misty rain falling, the children gathered to
greet us with flowers and hugs. The KDS band
played while we visited with the children. This
warm welcome from the students is always a
memorable highlight of the visit to the campus.
After visiting with the children, we proceeded
to the Marie Hirst Yochim Classroom Building
for the dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony.
Since Mrs. Yochim was unable to attend the
dedication ceremony, Yvonne S. Boone shared
remarks about their long-time friendship and Mrs.
Yochim’s dedication and love for KDS.
After lunch with the children, the next event
was the re-dedication ceremony of the Primary
Building. The building, after 63 years without an
official name, was dedicated as the Gary Wiggins
Cox Primary Building. Through the years, Gary
spent many hours in the Primary Building reading
to the children and mentoring them. Alabama
State Regent, Marguerite P. Horton, shared her
personal thoughts and memories of Gary. We
were joined for the ceremony by Gary’s many
friends and her daughter, Lisa Edwards and family;
sons, Dan and Randy and their families; and her
mother, Eleanor Johns.
In the afternoon, there was a joint meeting of the
Advisory, Finance and Endowment Committees,
chaired by Mindy Kammeyer. At 3:00 p.m. the
Board of Trustees Meeting was held in the New
York Reception Room. At the conclusion of the
Board Meeting, the Alabama Society DAR hosted
an open house in the New York Meeting Room.
In the evening, after a delicious meal served by
Beth Cagle’s Family and Consumer Science
students and enjoyable entertainment by the
KDS String Band and the KDS Choral Ensemble,
we journeyed back to the hotel for a night of rest
before the Dedication Day Ceremony on Friday
morning. It was a long day, but an enjoyable one,
filled with both happy and sad moments.
On Friday, all funds received for the period
September 1, 2010, through August 31, 2011,
were dedicated. Following a great patriotic
program, we enjoyed the “Famous Basket Lunch”
in the lunchroom.
It was fantastic to have so many Daughters and
guests on the campus. We thank you for all you
do to support KDS with your presence, your
talents and your gifts. For 87 years, the unique
cooperation of the National Society, the Marshall
County Board of Education and KDS has provided
the children of Gunter Mountain the opportunity
to receive an excellent education.
What a wonderful time December is at KDS.
You are invited to attend the 3rd annual Holiday
Organ Concert, in the Nan Roberts Lane Chapel,
Sunday, December 4, 2011, at 2:00 p.m. The
concert, with Christmas music by Sue Ellen
Adams on the organ; the KDS Choral Ensemble,
directed by Jan Betterton; and the Elementary
Choir, directed by Jan Jenkins, will be a great way
to start-off your Christmas season! And, on Friday,
December 9, from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, you are
invited to attend the annual Holiday Open House
in the Samsa Administration Building. Please mark
your calendars now and plan to join us for these
events.
As we approach the Holiday Season, may we be
thankful for our blessings and may we be ever
mindful of those who are less fortunate. This
year as we begin our annual KDS "Snowflake"
Christmas Campaign to help needy children and
families in the Grant community, we hope you
will consider a donation.
May you and yours have a Blessed, Happy,
Holiday Season!
In addition to presiding over the various events
that took place during Dedication Day, KDS Board
Chairman Peggy Johnson took time out to cut the
ribbon on the classroom she and her husband Larry
sponsored in the Yochim Building.
KDS DAR School News
Page 2
Marching Patriots Strike a Chord
The KDS Marching Patriots Band breathes excitement into football
games and enhances school spirit year-round. Under the direction
of Jody Stiles, the band has grown from 23 members in 2009 to 47
KDS students on the field during Patriot Football games this year.
Being a member of the
Marching Patriots Band
requires a great deal of
commitment on the part
of the students.
Band
camp begins several weeks
prior to the start of school
and runs every day from 8
a.m. to 5 p.m. with a lunch
break. During this time,
students learn the marching
style and technique as well
as memorize the music and
learn where to be on the
field.
Last year the band competed for the first time and scored a superior
rating at the Lake Guntersville Marching Band Festival. This year,
they plan to compete in the Lake Guntersville Festival, the Mud
Creek Marching Festival in Hanceville, Ala., and the Tennessee
Valley Invitation Marching
Competition in Muscle
Shoals, Ala.
In addition to these
competitions, the Marching
Patriots will perform in
the Gatlinburg Christmas
Parade
on
Saturday,
December 3, in Gatlinburg,
Tennessee.
More than
100,000 spectators are
expected to attend this
event.
“The band boosters, or
‘roadies’ as they have
become known, have been
working tirelessly to raise
funds for this trip to be done right,” said Mr.
Stiles. “And the entire community is equally
excited about having the Marching Patriots
represent Grant in such a high profile event.”
“We are outside as much as
we can stand the late Julyearly August heat,” says Mr. Stiles. “Band
camp serves as a rite of passage for the
kids, and although it is demanding, the kids
have a huge sense of accomplishment and
belonging when it is over.”
The band has certainly been busy and with the
continued growth, we can all look forward to
good things from the Marching Patriots!
Once school starts, marching practices
continue twice a week after school, and the
band rehearses the music one afternoon
a week. Football games, both home and
away, serve as the band’s opportunity to
create school spirit and show off all their
hard work.
Gary W. Cox
July 30, 1939 – September 24, 2011
A dear friend was lost with the passing of Gary W. Cox on September 24, after a long and difficult battle with cancer. Mrs. Cox’s
service on the Kate Duncan Smith Board of Trustees was exemplary, as she was an excellent ambassador for KDS and always
loved speaking about the school with her friends and family. Among her numerous contributions, she served as the Chairman of
the Board of Trustees from 2004 to 2010 and was elected Honorary Chairman for Life following her term. She had previously
served as both Vice Chairman and Secretary of the Board. She oversaw the re-construction of the Samsa Administration Building,
spearheaded a comprehensive land restoration effort, and increased
the school’s endowment to provide needed operating funds. Perhaps
Mrs. Cox’s greatest legacy, though, was the time she spent reading
to the children and teaching them the history of their DAR School.
Her impact is felt by the students, faculty and administration each and
every day, and her influence will continue to make a difference in the
lives of children for many years to come.
On October 13, 2011, during the School’s 87th Dedication Day
Celebration, after some 63 years without an “official name,” the
Primary Building was dedicated as the Gary Wiggins Cox Primary
Building to honor the lifetime of commitment and the legacy she left
to the children of KDS.
The Patriot
KDS DAR School News
Page 3
Continued from page 1
The KDS School Supper on Wednesday was a spectacular evening of fun and fellowship. The evening featured entertainment
from the FFA String Band and KDS Choral, and an auction was
held.
Each year KDS seniors
serve as pages, flag
bearers, ushers, and
tour guides during
Dedication Day
festivities. Here,
Ellie Kennamer
proudly carries the
Texas State Flag.
The traditional Dedication Program on Friday is always the
highlight of the festivities, and this year was no exception with 23
state societies, groups, and organizations qualifying to dedicate.
National School Chairman Donna Raymond presented the
Dedication Day message, which featured her heartfelt words
about the special relationship between NSDAR and KDS. The
program also featured musical performances by the KDS fourth
grade students presenting an inspiring program titled “Heroes
All” and all KDS students singing “DAR, Oh How We Love
You” to a rousing response. The program was followed by the
famous Basket Luncheon, a perennial favorite of the DAR ladies
and guests.
Dell Scoper, Past Chaplain
General, NSDAR, finds
several items to take
back home to Mississippi
during the Crafts Show.
Among the other highlights of this year’s KDS Dedication Day
was the annual Craft Show which was held in the Doris Pike
White Gymnasium, with more than 40 crafters offering their
handmade goods. Thursday afternoon also featured studentled tours of campus and visits to the classrooms for one-on-one
interaction with the children.
The 87th KDS DAR School Dedication Day was a truly special
day for our “Gem of Gunter Mountain” and its students.
Continued on page 5
Yochim Building Ribbon-Cutting
Thursday, October 13, was a fabulous fall day on Gunter
Mountain, made even more special by the ribbon-cutting and
official dedication of the Marie Hirst Yochim Classroom Building
on the campus of Kate Duncan Smith DAR School. Some 200
people – including sponsors, local officials, representatives from
the architecture firm and construction company, community
members, DAR guests, faculty, and staff – gathered to celebrate
the special day.
The Yochim Building boasts 10 classrooms, a teacher workroom
and restrooms and houses advanced placement and other upper
level high school classes. With a growing student population of
more than 1,400 and a campus-wide shortage of at least six
classrooms, this new building was a necessary step not only to
address overcrowding but also to accommodate future growth.
This much needed addition provides the classrooms our students
deserve in an environment conducive to learning.
The campaign to raise funds for the building was also a huge
success. More than $245,000 has been raised representing 11
room sponsorships, 25 equipment and furnishings sponsorships,
and two additional building sponsorships.
­­­Georgia Daughters proudly cut the ribbon for their sponsored
classroom in the Marie Hirst Yochim Classroom Building.
Pictured, from left, are Vice President General Barbara Chastain,
State Regent Sally Baldwin, KDS Board Member Lynn Brackey,
DAR School Committee S.E. Division Vice Chairman Betty Harrah,
Past National School Chairman Mindy Kammeyer,
State School Chairman Bea Fisher, Cherokee Chapter
Regent Shannon Logue, Honorary State Regent
Carolyn Hanf, and Honorary State Regent Edwina Beall.
The Patriot
Cutting the ribbon on her
classroom in the Marie Hirst
Yochim Building is Yvonne
Boone. She is pictured with
KDS Board Member Nancy
Hemmrich of Tennessee
who sponsored the teacher’s
desk and chair in
Mrs. Boone’s classroom.
KDS DAR School News
Page 4
The Famous Basket Lunch
is always a highlight of
Dedication Day. Members of
the community, faculty and
staff prepare dishes as a way
to show their appreciation for
the DAR’s continued support
of KDS. This year, the feast
covered 14 8-foot tables!
Texas Daughters talk football with members of the varsity Patriots team
during their visit to the school. Pictured with KDS students is National
School Chairman and Honorary Texas State Regent Donna Raymond,
current State Regent Joy Hagg, and State Historian Kathy Shackelford.
Illinois State Regent Candace
Fryburger cut the ribbon
officially opening the Illinois
Classroom in the Marie Hirst
Yochim Classroom Building.
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
Dr. Olon Tucker, the first KDS student to become a medical doctor and also
the first doctor to practice in the town of Grant, has retired after serving
the Gunter Mountain community for 45 years.
Dr. Tucker always had a dream of becoming a doctor, but quit high school,
as many other young men did, at age 17 to enlist in the Navy during the
Korean Conflict. After his service was complete, he returned home, worked
for a while, obtained his G.E.D. and enrolled in Jacksonville State University.
After graduating college, he applied and was accepted to the University
of Alabama Medical School, where he graduated in 1964. Dr. Tucker did
his internship and one year residency in general surgery at Mobile General
Hospital. There he met a pretty local girl, a registered nurse, named
Olympia. They were married in 1965.
He opened his practice on July 5, 1966, with Olympia as his assistant.
The hometown boy and his wife were welcomed home to Grant by the
community with a basket supper and shower given at the Grant Recreation
Center. The KDS School News (forerunner of the PATRIOT) of August 1966
reported, “So many people turned out to welcome Dr. and Mrs. Tucker that
they overflowed the building, and they brought so much food that there
was as much left as was eaten. Their gifts overflowed two tables and some
were put on the floor…” Dr. Tucker even received a medical call during the
shower and had to leave early.
Dr. Tucker was honored by the community on November
6th at a retirement reception at the Kennamer Cove
Trading Post. His three children were in attendance for
the special occasion. Shown seated are Dr. Olon
Tucker and Olympia Tucker; and on the back row,
from left, are Leslie Tucker Carey, John Tucker,
and Tracy Tucker Nichols.
Then the only doctor in town, Dr. Tucker kept regular office hours at the same location on 2nd Street East in Grant since he began
his practice 45 years ago. He delivered babies until 1974. He served on-call in the emergency room for many years and was chief
of staff of the Guntersville Hospital at one time. He has also served as president of the Marshall County Medical Association. He
was the unofficial “team doctor” of all the sports teams of KDS for many years and could often be seen in the stands at basketball
games.
The Tuckers have 3 children. Daughter Tracy Nichols is a psychologist in Cowan, Tennessee; daughter Leslie Ann Carey is the
owner of a Hot Yoga Studio in Savannah, Georgia; and son John Tucker is a corporate attorney in Dallas, Texas.
Dr. Tucker was raised on a farm, one of six children of Veland and Dicey Tucker. Now, many years and much history later, he says he
will return “to whence I came.” He owns a farm with a couple of horses on Mill Road off the mountain in Marshall County. “Grant
has been a wonderful place to live, work and raise a family,” said Dr. Tucker. “Over the years, the people have been wonderful to
us. We can’t thank them enough.”
The Patriot
KDS DAR School News
Page 5
Alabama School
Supplies
LADY PATRIOTS
SERVE UP SUCCESS
The generosity of Alabama Daughters was evident from
the bounty of school supplies given to KDS at each of the
four ASDAR District Meetings. By the time KDS Executive
Director Heather Green left the fourth and final meeting in
Huntsville, the school’s van was loaded down with every
school supply needed by KDS students from crayons to
USB drives.
Back row (left to right): Amber Norton, Allie Perkins,
Monica Cooper, Bailee Bell, Jackie Rhyne.
Front row: Sidney Stanfield, Laura Grace Ayers,
Savannah Sutphin, Shelby Cranford.
Georgia Clinic Supplies
The KDS Lady Patriots Varsity Volleyball Team had many obstacles
to overcome this season. The leading hitter graduated, the
number one setter had other commitments that prevented her
from playing, then, at team camp (just weeks before the season
began), the best defensive player (a position in volleyball called
Libero), Jackie Rhyne, tore her ACL and meniscus and was out
for the season. But this scrappy group of ladies worked hard and
went on to a successful season; going farther into the playoffs than
any KDS varsity volleyball team ever!
They finished the season 22-15, with 13 of the 15 losses to
statewide ranked teams. They defeated Crossville in the Area
Tournament to advance to the Regional Tournament. The team
defeated Lincoln to advance to a sub-state match. Sadly, at the
sub-state match they were defeated by Wilson High School.
In his first year to coach volleyball, Coach Kenny Downs and
his Lady Patriot team are to be congratulated for a wonderfully
successful season. Coach Downs stated, “When playoff time
arrived, the girls rose to the occasion and played harder and
better than ever.”
KDS clinic student helper Danielle Guffey worked diligently
to sort, organize, inventory, and store the items.
For the past few years, the Georgia Daughters have collected
health clinic supplies to be given to KDS during their fall
workshops and every year the amount collected has grown.
This year, KDS Executive Director Heather Green returned
from Georgia with the van packed full of clinic supplies. KDS
School Nurse Phyllis Randolph was thrilled to receive multiples
of everything on her needs list. With this bounty, Nurse Phyl
was able to not only stock her own clinic needs, but was able
to supply emergency bags for the 16 school bus drivers, and
one for the football team.
The Patriot
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KDS DAR School News
Page 6
Patriot Theatre
Presents
Arsenic and Old Lace
21 Ways to Support KDS
1. Make a gift to the Annual Giving Fund
every year. GIVE NOW!
2. Become a Benefactors Society member by
including KDS in your estate plans.
3. Impact KDS’s future through an Endowment gift.
4. Come back to the campus during your reunion year.
5. Subscribe to the Patriot E-News to keep upto-date on all the happenings at the school.
6. Join the KDS Alumni Association.
7. Display your Patriot Pride by proudly
wearing KDS clothing items.
8. Promote and attend KDS athletic and cultural events.
9. Visit www.kdsdar.com often to stay
abreast of the latest information.
The KDS Drama Department’s production of Joseph
Kesselring’s “Arsenic and Old Lace” on November 18 and
19 was the result of much hard work and rehearsal by all
the members of the Patriot Theatre Company and sponsor
Jan Betterton. Shown here in a cast photo are (from left):
Morgan Walls, Jared Wright, Daniel Walker, Hannah
Warren, Eli Wooten, Jana Jacobs, Garrett DeAngelis, Jacob
Verhine, Thomas Burch, and Heath Clark. J.T. Hill, who
plays the dead guy, is on the floor.
10. Visit campus. Better yet, join us for
lunch in the lunchroom!
11. Adopt a class, club or organization. (Contact
Deedie Shadden at dshadden@nehp.net)
12. Attend Dedication Day each October, and provide
a dish for the “Famous Basket Lunch.”
13. Book the Lane Chapel for a wedding or rent
the Michigan Center for a special event.
14. Keep your contact information up-to-date
with the Administrative Office. (Contact
Teresa Choat at kdsdar@nehp.net)
15. Mentor a student.
16. Read with a student or to a class.
17. Support the KDS Scholarship Fund to help
deserving graduates attend college.
18. Collect Campbell’s Labels for Education,
General Mills Box Tops for Education, Tyson
Project A+ Points, or participate in another
in-kind giving program to support the school.
19. Donate school supplies or sponsor a project.
20. Sponsor Christmas gifts for a child or
family in need by participating in the
“Snowflake” Holiday Giving Campaign.
21. Be a KSD ambassador and keep the
school in your conversations.
The Patriot
KDS DAR School News
Page 7
Kate Duncan Smith DAR School
6077 Main Street
Grant, Alabama 35747
Heather W. Green - Executive Director
April Pendergrass - Staff Accountant
Deedie Shadden - Administrative Assistant
Teresa Choat - Administrative Staff
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LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW!!!
Snow is in the forecast once again this holiday season for the Gunter
Mountain children and families in need. Christmas is a magical time of
year, but for sixty percent of the more than 1,400 students at KDS who live
below the poverty level, it can be an uncertain and stressful holiday. The
KDS “Snowflake” Holiday Giving Campaign assists families during this most
special time of year by providing gifts and clothing items. Your donation will
help ensure that no child is forgotten this holiday season.
More families than ever before are in need of assistance, and, this year
alone, cash contributions in excess of $7,000 are required to fill this need.
Contributions of any amount are appreciated and should be designated to
the ‘KDS “Snowflake” Campaign’.
Donors’ names are displayed on snowflake cards which will adorn the walls
of the Samsa Administration Building throughout the holiday season. Won’t
you help us make this Christmas special for families in need?