The Wallingford-Swarthmore School District and Strath Haven High School are pleased to announce the details of the Jack Hontz Memorial Weekend, scheduled to take place on September 22 and 23, 2017. Mr. Hontz passed away suddenly on June 23, 2017, and will forever be remembered for his dedication to the students of Wallingford-Swarthmore. We anticipate a large number of students, community members, and alumni in attendance at both events, and encourage families to join us in either or both celebrations of Jack’s life and contributions to our community.
On Friday, September 22, the Panther Marching Band will enter the stadium at 6:50 p.m. and take their usual place on King Field. The Band and Band Front will be …wearing the newly- dedicated Jack Hontz memorial pins and patches on their uniforms, which will serve as a permanent memory of Mr. Hontz for all future band members. As part of the SHHS Panther Marching Band Halftime show, we will invite all SHHS Band Alumni to join the band on the field to perform a fourth music selection that will be dedicated to Mr. Hontz. Alumni interested in performing with the Band and Bandfront that evening are asked to contact Mr. Patrick Murray, Band Director, by email no later than Monday, September 18. pmurray@wssd.org Following the combined Band/Alumni performance, Dr. Yannacone will welcome the Hontz family to the field for remarks and a dedication.
On Saturday, September 23, the WSSD Music Department will host a concert in memory of and dedicated to Mr. Hontz’ life and contributions to the community. The concert will be held at Strath Haven High School in the auditorium at 1:00 p.m. Tickets to the concert may be purchased through the Main Office of the high school for $10. The concert will include performances by current district students, district and regional music faculty, and alumni of our music programs. The concert will end with a dedication and announcements by the school community, and remarks by the Hontz family. Light refreshments will be served following the concert.
At both the Friday evening and Saturday afternoon events, commemorative items will be available for purchase. All proceeds of the purchase of these items, as well as the concert admission, will fund the WSSD Jack Hontz Endowment. The establishment of the Endowment has as its primary mission the continuation of the vision of Jack Hontz for music education and celebration of the arts in the Wallingford-Swarthmore School District. The Endowment will provide grants to allow WSSD students to participate in district music and art programs, and will also provide scholarships to selected students to continue their studies in music performance and/or music education at the post-secondary level. Donations to the WSSD Jack Hontz Endowment may be made by sending a check, made payable to “WSSD Jack Hontz Endowment” to Henry Pearlberg, WSSD Music Department Chairperson, at Strath Haven Middle School, 200 South Providence Road, Wallingford, PA 19086.
