EWOOD EDG high school N E W S F O R A L U M N I , F A M I LY A N D F R I E N D S
CRUSADER CONNECTION edgewoodhs.org
PAC to be
SUMMER 2018
for DENNIS McKINLEY
The solid exterior walls are up and workers have moved indoors to begin installing utilities and interior structures and finishes. As they progress toward having the facility completed in June, the lead donor to the project, Diane Endres Ballweg, has decided to use her naming opportunity to honor longtime Edgewood faculty member Dennis McKinley ’63.
Diane Ballweg and Dennis McKinley
Diane says, “Dennis was a ‘freshman’ teacher at EHS when I was a freshman student. He directed the choirs and I was his accompanist. Last year we celebrated our ‘50th anniversary,’ and he has been a positive influence, a guiding and trusted friend, and a loyal EHS colleague for all those years. Teachers don’t make a lot of money, but they make a difference in their students’ lives. His dedicated service and impact on students and faculty deserves to be recognized and honored.” Composer and orchestrator Andrew Kinney ’85 seconds that opinion. “I remember Dennis from band in 5th grade all through high school. He is a natural musician and leader who knows how to make music fun, but keep students on
task. He has been a great role model and advocate for EHS.” Dennis responds, “I’m still struggling to wrap my mind around the whole thing. This doesn’t usually happen in our world today. Since Diane and I first met, our friendship and our personal and professional respect and admiration for each other have grown. Words can’t describe the emotional impact her generosity of wanting the PAC to bear my name has had on me.” Diane believes, “In the world of philanthropy, people don’t give to buildings. People give to ideas. People give to enthusiasm. People give to positive energy. People give to innovative projects. People give to people.”
Diane and Dennis share a vision of the new PAC as a vehicle to educate and support the arts within and outside of Edgewood. They see it as a space that can fuel new ideas, renewed enthusiasm and energy, stellar productions and creative people. The new space in this center will bring students, families, faculty and audiences together and light the human spirit of imagination! Dennis claims his longevity at Edgewood is due to one thing: students. “I love working with the teenagers who attend Edgewood. These four years are such a critical time in their lives. One of the joys of having been around as long as I have is seeing so many of them more fully understand and appreciate what they learned as they matured. I can’t envision a better way to have spent my life; never a job, always a vocation!” About $1 million remains to be raised toward the PAC. If Dennis McKinley was an influence in your life, or you just have fond memories of participating in the music and theater programs, please consider making a contribution in honor of Dennis at edgewoodhs.org/support.
C R UInSa A R CO N structure ECTION nodDtoEtradition, theN new is decorated with many of the original terracotta tiles that adorned the old building. The state-of-the-art facility will have three times the amount of behindthe-stage space, including a workshop and dressing rooms. The entrance will include an atrium and casual study area. A lift will provide accessibility and the catwalk system will allow for rigging of set pieces and lighting.
WINTER 2019