The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Submitted by Jane Fort Edwards.
I live in Keota, Iowa, a town of about 1000. After having the last word at Stronghurst HS (I gave the final prayer) I went to Monmouth College and received my Bachelor of Science degree in Music.
After about 15 years at La Harpe, I went back to school to get my Masters of Music Education at VanderCook College of Music in Chicago. I was able to get this done in two very compact summers and several weekends and independent study programs (this was WAY before online education!)
After teaching twenty one years at La Harpe, I went to Keota Schools where I am now starting my twenty third year. I teach 5-12 Band, 7-12 Choir, College Music Appreciation, HS Music Theory, HS Music Appreciation, band lessons for all, vocal lessons when I can.
I direct EagleRock!, our show choir, the fall play and the spring musical and am a class sponsor.
So many kids to remember working with (I apologize in advance when I forget you, I am old). Kids from the early years, Sheri Traser, Mike Jones, Susan Boyd, Jackie Rodeffer, Dawn Peterson, Brian Blythe, Cindy Deitrich, all kids that got things rolling.
The fabulous trio of Monica (Mueller), Melissa (Furrow), and Amy (Palmer)! Those three girls could harmonize anything and smile and dance at the same time.
The Stevens Sisters (Lesley and Kristen) whose blend was perfection when they weren't wanting to beat each other. The low brass/woodwind quartet of Lucas Creasy, Luke Heckenberg, Shane Owsley, and Jesse Forquer: what a powerhouse Jazz band and always teasing Abby (Louden) and Holly (Sharpe) and totally owning IN THE MOOD at State Contest!
Squirrely Shirley (Pence) and Kris Tina (Mynatt), Performing "Once Upon a Mattress" with that whole cast and Devin telling me after he had biffed his "Fred" solo, "Miss Fort! I forgot to put on my knickers over my tights and didn't notice till the middle of the song!"
The Divine 9 (Ryan Sharpe, Devin Burg, Michael Jones, Wesley Olson, Ryan Johnson, Randy Tillman, Shawn Gutting, Mark Hitz, Aaron Collins-yes, I have the picture on my board in Keota) that Mr. Rigg worked with, but I got to use the skills he taught them.
The Butler Girls, The Rodefer Girls, the Foster kids, the Tillman kids, the Rodeffer kids, Nedly (Eckhardt) and Kathy Moo (Moore), Jill (Logan) and Andrea (Geeves), Pam (Williams) and Sha-na (Olson), the Trendy Girls (Megan Latherow and Amber Anders). Gary Jackson, Eric Little, Aaron Hughes and Jeff Johnson who moved/fixed A LOT of stuff with Jenni (Balmer) and Amy (Richardson) cheering them on, Krista (Johnson) and Megan (Wright) who were Clay and Max's favorite babysitters, Having TWO sets of twins in JUST US, the Purdy girls and the Kern guys. Again I apologize if I missed you!
The only teacher that I recall inspiring me was Lillian Pogue in 9th grade English who taught us "The Tale of Two Cities" She read/performed it for us and I drank it in!
Most of my music teachers were only at our school for a year or two and I did vow to stay put and grow a program.
Great La Harpe Teachers tho--- Cerece (Hasten) who kept us ALL sane, Ice (Karen Icenogle) who designed all our sets and drew more than a few Snoopys, Hunter (Laurena) who always was good for a laugh, Sharpe' (Diana) who brought reason and a very dry sense of humor to the party, Paula (Blythe) who always told us we were CRAZY, Carla (Snowden) who had sooo many skills in sooo many areas and was ALWAYS there to help out and, of course, Mr. E. (Gary Eddington) who would hide out in the music room when he was out and about just to observe and enjoy the organized chaos going on in choir or band.
Tom and I still volunteer at the PGA Championship every year. We have gotten to see a lot of the United States in the 27 years that we have done this. Other than that we don't really go anywhere.
Tom is the CEO of Farmers Coop and Vision Ag and the 12 related plants located in Southeast Iowa and, quite honestly, we relish the chance when we get to stay home.
I have three sons, two step and one adopted. Clay has his doctorate in Math Education and is married to Laura, an elementary reading specialist and they have an almost 3 year old daughter, Avery who has Tom wrapped about her finger.
Max is finishing his MBA and is a manager of three running stores in the Chicago area. He and his wife Lauren, a physical therapist, are expecting twins, a boy and a girl, in September.
Nate was one of my students who had been through many bad experiences in his young life and the second time I picked him up from shelter I just brought him home to be part of our family. He is a junior at William Penn University and majoring in Criminal Justice/Sociology and playing football.
I have enjoyed almost all (let's not lie) of my 43 years of teaching. As of right now I plan on teaching another 5 for a total of 48. I'll keep doing it as long as it's fun and so far IT'S BEEN A BLAST!!!
Jane with l-R: Clay, Nate, Max