Perspective
Sometime within these past two to three years, I authored a column that I titled, “Perspective.” I only mention this because I’ve used the same title this week and I don’t want anyone to think that I am recycling my efforts. Far from it, at least this time. You see, the perspective that I am choosing to focus on this week is the fact that Everett W. Harris has been serving Holland Springfield residents as a member of our board of education longer than I have been alive. That’s right, at the January 11 organizational meeting of the board, his colleague and fellow long-serving board member, Ken Musch, recited a list of things that were either in vogue, in theatres, on the radio or politically relevant in 1972–the year Ev was elected.
All these things took place the year before I, Matthew K. Geha, was born. Mr. Musch’s research revealed that it was during 1972 that Silly String was invented, “Time” magazine’s Man of the Year was then-President Richard Nixon, the break-in at the Watergate Hotel took place in 1972, bell bottom pants were the fashion rage, drivers were paying 36 cents per gallon for gasoline and the Volkswagen Beetle was the top selling car. Oh, and new homes were selling at about $27,600. When he began his board service, many of the songs that the kids now play on Blue Devil Radio were hitting the airwaves for the first time and Title IX legislation was passed that ensured equal treatment for students and employees, and addressed sex discrimination in the workplace and in athletics.
Listening to those words, the perspective that the items on that list occurred before I was born stopped me in my tracks. It made me realize that this man, my mentor, provides so much more than his dedication and devotion to the district. Ev Harris provides every resident, every member of our staff, and every one of our students a unique perspective, and has moved this district forward.
I feel it needs to be repeated– Ev has been serving this community longer than I have been alive. His service to others and our country can’t be questioned. Since you are never a former Marine, I will just write that he is a proud veteran. He has served in many ways before and since 1972. During his 50 years on the board of education, our world has changed–significantly. Perspective again–while I was learning to walk and talk, Ev’s leadership and guidance was helping prepare the district to focus our curriculum to ensure that students would be ready to succeed in the 21st Century.
That preparation didn’t just happen as calendar pages flipped from year to year–the groundwork that was set in place happened during countless meetings throughout those years. They happened before the first PCs ever found their ways into classrooms, purses and pants pockets. And, it was his expertise in contracting, building, plumbing, insurance and real estate that helped the district avoid many pitfalls experienced by surrounding districts who didn’t have an Ev Harris on their board.
I am going to end this column by borrowing from Sir Isaac Newton, who is well known for writing, “If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.” In the years that I have been fortunate enough to know and work for Ev Harris, it is his shoulders on which I have stood, his counsel to which I have listened and his guidance that has helped me grow in both my role in the district and in life.
