[The following comments were part of the Middleton High School Class of 1979 45-year Class Reunion at a kick-off event held at the Middleton High School Performing Arts Center Lobby, Middleton, Wisconsin, re-dedicating an original wall mural donated in 2004 as part of the Class of 1979 25-year class reunion. Generous class donations allowed the mural to be digitally re-imaged and then mounted permanently]
My name is Jim, and it is my great pleasure to welcome you to the kick-off event in a series of festivities marking the 45-year reunion of the Middleton High School Class of 1979!
It is my privilege to act as emcee for this first special event, a re-dedication of this beautiful mural donated by our class to the school 20 years ago, originally on the occasion of our 25-year class reunion.
I’m not a class officer, nor did I have much of anything to do with all of the amazing logistics and arrangements for this wonderful reunion weekend. We’ll hear in a minute who really deserves credit for that. Still, I get the pleasure to emcee for this event!
Because we have a number of guests today, I thought it would be good to reflect on the story of all these aging alumni standing around the lobby. These are members of the MHS Class of 1979. Reflecting on our story is also helpful for some of us class members who are finding our memories increasingly foggy.
Members of the Class of 1979 were born around 1960-61. That makes us around 63-64 years old. Some have retired. Some are longing to retire. Some are never going to retire.
These are former students who attended elementary school when the new music on the radio was from a group called the Beatles. In Middle School and High School, these students danced to what my adult daughters now call “the greatest pop music of all time”, namely classic rock from acts like Boston, Toto, Queen, REO Speedwagon, Kansas, Styx, Heart, Fleetwood Mac, and James Taylor. Then, by late in our high school years, another dance genre emerged and swept our world – disco!
And you need to know that the MHS Class of 1979 is both epic and legendary.
This was the 100th graduating class from the school. That was such a big deal that the Governor of the State of Wisconsin was the commencement speaker for our graduation.
And this was the class that changed the concept of a homecoming skit forever by re-creating Steve Martin’s Saturday Night Live “King Tut” with live musicians, dancers in Egyptian costumes and togas, an actual casket, and an actual mummy playing an actual sax solo. Middleton High School had never seen anything like it, before or since. I’m told that the MHS Class of ’79 homecoming skit remains a legend. It changed homecoming forever.
Yes, the Class of 1979 was epic in its creativity.
But that wasn’t all.
This is the class that pulled off the greatest homecoming prank in the history of the school – also still a legend. A team of class members somehow managed, without death, injury, or significant property damage, to lift a highly decorated and modified VW Bug sedan onto the roof of the MHS main entrance under cover of darkness. A phone tip came to my house that evening. My brother was the staff photographer for the school yearbook. “If you can get to the school in 10 minutes you’ll have the greatest photos in the history of Middleton” said the muffled voice on the other end of the line. He arrived with his black and white manual SLR camera to document a hilarious scene, complete with squad cars and police officers mingling with school administrators in the MHS parking lot, staring at the VW on the school roof. What made things particularly funny was the mixed expressions on the faces of these adults – trying to look stern and disapproving while at the same time suppressing smiles of amusement and, yes, true admiration.
it was another legendary example of creativity by the MHS Class of 1979. Full photo documentation continued as the car was dutifully removed from the roof that evening. But the photographic evidence of the epic prank lives on.
And the MHS Class of 1979 provided much of the core talent to anchor the school-wide musical production of “Hello Dolly!” that spring, elevating the legendary musical theatre tradition at MHS, and starring Class of ’79 actress Jaye Maynard McClure, who went on to a performance career spanning both Los Angeles and New York City.
Epic.
Legendary.
And the MHS Class of 1979 is a generous class that has stuck together across the years. A loving reunion organizing committee has kept momentum that makes our class the envy of other MHS classes. The MHS Class of 1979 has implemented service projects, raised money, and donated gifts like this beautiful original mural for public display.
We celebrate this creative generosity today.
Yet there is something bittersweet about our recognition of generosity today. Originally 266 young students, not all members of the Class of ’79 are still alive. We have lost dear friends to death over the years. I long for us to remember them as they were in their vibrant high school years with us.
I’ll be honest – I dearly long to see them again someday.
So, as we rededicate this gift mural from our class, it is not only to current and future MHS students and staff…and not only to our assembled classmates, but especially in memory of our departed classmates.
Alice Acker
Jody Anvoots
Jon Jon Davenport
Mike Flanagan
Dave Gerhardt
Dan Helt
James Kuehn
Kelly Larson
Loan Lundey
Mark Maier
Jim Nygren
Jim Parks
Dan Paske
Mark Perrin
Julie Pierstorff
Linda Rundle
Kara Gray Sailing
Janet Stilen
Wendy Sindberg
Dale Statz
Mike Swanson
Rick Topp
Dan Vosen
Pat Webster
Jay Widmer
Now to our order of business. We have four items to accomplish. I have a few key recognitions. Then we’ll re-dedicate this beautiful mural and hear some guest comments about it. I’ll then invite my classmate Diane to describe another act of class generosity, and we can then adjourn for a tour of this beautiful Performing Arts Center, guided by its director, Jonathan Hagberg.
So first, some recognitions. Our reunions are organized by a loving group of seven incredibly dedicated classmates, all with only X chromosomes, who spend hours and hours planning all the logistics and communications.
They demonstrate their love for us selflessly. I am honestly so thankful for them:
Vicki Cushman Edgren
Phyllis Dresser
Brenda Liegel
Jackie Malliet
Jaye Maynard McClure
Katherine Perreth
Diane Schwartz
Let’s shown them our thanks!
Then I want to acknowledge special friends who may or may not be in attendance – but who have played crucial roles in making this mural re-dedication possible:
Janet Ballweg (our artist)
Zane Enloe (former Performing Arts Center [PAC] director)
Jonathan Hagberg (current PAC director)
Peg Shoemaker (MHS Principal)
Brad Crandell (MHS student activities coordinator)
Dale Rhodes (MHS facilities director)
Ryan Paulson (Owner, Alphagraphics, and Good Neighbor Festival chair this year)
Chuck and Karen Tracy (original mural graphics company owners 20 years ago)
Lisa, Michael and Jacob LaBissoniere (community members)
Reese Johanningmeier (recipient of MHS Class of 1979 Fine Arts Scholarship)
Let’s shown them our appreciation!
And now to the mural re-dedication itself. This beautiful mural was created by classmate Janet Ballweg more than 20 years ago. The original small painted panels were digitally scanned and enlarged for printing on canvas and mounting in a different location in this Performing Arts Center lobby in 2004. The mural was a gift to the school from the Class of 1979 on the occasion of our 25 year class reunion. During remodeling of this space several years ago, the mural was rescued by Performing Arts Center Director, Zane Enloe, but the original canvas print was no longer sized well for display in the new lobby. This led to the creation of a fresh digital scan of the mural and the creation of this beautiful new permanent installation.
Though she can’t be here today, artist Janet Ballweg provided the following comments of reflection on her work from more than 20 years ago:
“Dear Classmates,
When Jim and Diane approached me about creating the mural back in 2001, my first thought was “What can my work possibly say to a high school student of today?”
I pondered this question for a while and eventually returned to my own experience - growing up on a dairy farm in Cross Plains and then finding my passion as a professional artist and teacher. I could not have envisioned this trajectory during my high school years. Based on that, I decided on 5 main themes for the mural:
“Maintaining Roots” is about the importance of remembering where we come from and maintaining those ties. For this concept I chose a morning glory, a plant that can develop roots 15 feet long; it’s beautiful and far reaching.
“Seeking Direction” is about the need to find one’s own path in life – to follow our own compass or weather vane to whatever journey and destination awaits us.
“Taking Aim” is about identifying dreams and going after them, even if those dreams seem like a long shot or they seem fleeting, like a cloud.
“Cultivating Passion” is about latching onto your strengths, your talents, and pursuing those with abandon to see where they might take you.
Lastly, “Finding Balance” is about keeping yourself in check and finding peace for yourself in the world through family, friendship, love, work, and play.
It’s my hope that this mural has inspired, and continues to inspire, high school students to dream big and make those dreams happen.
And I thank you, fellow classmates, for believing in me as an artist enough to, not once but twice, support the installation of this mural at Middleton High School. It is a unique gift from a unique class of students!
As a teacher myself, I’ve come to realize every one of my classes has been different but there have only been a few truly remarkable classes in my 36-year teaching career. Sure, every class shows intelligence and talent, but it’s a special class that bands together to form a sense of community, that revels in hope, joy, friendship, and laughter, and that stands together not just during those 4 years but throughout life.
The class of ’79 was, and is, an incredibly extraordinary class and this mural speaks to our ability to rise above the ordinary, to be something special. I’m sorry that I can’t physically celebrate with you today but please know that the class of ’79 is always in my heart.
Enjoy the reunion! – Janet Ballweg”
We thank Janet for her talent and thoughtful remarks.
I now want to recognize and emphasize that this mural has impacts beyond the students and staff of Middleton High School. This is a public space. It touches the lives of many of all ages in the broader community. Some won’t notice the mural. Others may just sense the vibrant colors. Still others will pause to contemplate the meaning of the panels and wonder about this mysterious Class of 1979 who saw fit to invest in this public gift. Some may even pause at the informational plaques to learn about the art. Several years ago, Zane Enloe made me aware of a special and beautiful community story and connected me with Lisa, Michael, and their son, Jacob. I confess, and my wife will attest, that when I first read their note, it brought me to tears.
“Dear Jim,
As Zane may have related, Jacob and I started exploring the halls of the high school during Jacob’s Middle School years at Kromrey. He seemed to particularly enjoy the wonderfully bright PAC lobby entry area and always inspected the large mural hanging above the doorway into the HS common area. As an autistic kiddo his routine was unbreakable – we had to talk about each section of the mural and identify each of the images: the flower, the weathervane, the target, the pear and the 'bob'.
Our weekly visits continued until construction began on Phase I of the current structure. Imagine our dismay when the beautiful, bright entry to the PAC lobby came down in a pile of rubble and glass, along with the rest of the surrounding spaces. We found other places to explore during that year of construction and waited eagerly to inspect the new, revitalized building when it opened in the summer of 2021 prior to Jacob's 8th grade year. I must say that the new North Entrance to the school was a disappointment compared to the large windows and grand design of the original PAC entry. But the bigger surprise occurred when we entered the building and ran to where the mural had always hung – only to find it wasn't there – it wasn't anywhere! Our every visit during that year was tainted by the missing mural.
That's when we contacted our friend, Mr. Zane, to see if he could help us determine what the fate of the 'big picture' was going to be in the new High School. He was able to locate where the mural had been stored during construction and unrolled it to take pictures that he sent to us so we could continue talking about each of the images. But the ultimate fate of the mural itself was uncertain until after the completion of Phase II when the school was fully open. That was Jacob's 9th grade year, his first year of High School! We came back to explore again during that summer when the new phase opened and there it was... a new, permanent version of the mural, right at the entrance to the PAC lobby!
What a joy
to see that it was restored to a place of prominence in the new space.
Lisa and Jacob LaBissoniere"
Thank you for your beautiful words, Lisa, and for sharing with us how the MHS Class of 1979 mural as piece of public art has had a positive impact on your lives.
So now we re-dedicate this mural by sharing the words from the informational plaque:
Celebrating 45 years of creative leadership, Middleton High School’s Class of 1979 presents this mural with appreciation to our teachers, staff, and classmates for the 720 days we shared together in this building. The mural is the original design of Janet Ballweg, Professor of Art at Bowling Green State University, native of Cross Plains, and MHS Class of 1979 graduate. Presented in 2004 by the Class of 1979, Middleton High School’s 100th Anniversary Class. Rededicated 20 years later: August 2024.
Finally, I invite my classmate, Diane Schwartz, to remind us about another act of creative generosity made possible by our class this spring. Because class giving exceeded what was required for the mural reinstallation, it was possible for the Class of 1979 to offer a one-time scholarship of $1760 to a graduating MHS student pursuing a fine arts college degree. Competing students must have achieved at least a 3.2 grade point average and completed community service. An MHS committee made the selection. The awards ceremony was May 15, 2024.
The Middleton High School Class of 1979 Fine Arts Scholarship winner is Reese Johanningmeier. Reese is attending Coastal Carolina University, majoring in Musical Theatre. She described many artistic and service activities in her application. Among other comments, Reese stated:
“I have been passionate about theatre since my first musical in 6th grade. I discovered my singing voice and learned how music and lyrics helped tell the story and that I could share that story with the audience. Since then, I have loved all aspects of theatre, especially musical theatre. I've now done numerous Summer Stage production and Main Stage shows, along with every MHS musical and most of the theatre productions each year. Performing is my passion and it's thrilling and rewarding to be able to present to an audience something that I've worked so hard to prepare.”
A poster with Reese’s note of thanks to the MHS Class of 1979 is here on display.
As we conclude our remarks and turn now to the opportunity to tour the Middleton High School Performing Arts Center, let us recognize with true pride the generous gifts that our class has been able to provide to the students and staff of Middleton High School, and to the broader community.
Friday, August 23, 2024
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