VILONIA Officials with the Vilonia School District want to remember people and deeds that should never be forgotten.
The Board of Education recently gave the nod to school officials to pursue the idea of setting up a "memorial kiosk" of sorts to recognize individuals who have made an impact on the district.
Dr. Frank Mitchell, district superintendent, presented the idea on behalf of a committee that was formed last year to address memorials. Mitchell's recommendation was to explore the idea of placing one or possibly more flat screen televisions with touch screen capabilities in the lobby of the high school gymnasium allowing visitors to access photographs, information and clips of those to be memorialized.
"The capacity would be tremendous," he said. "This way, we won't leave anyone out."
He said a precedence has already been set concerning memorials at the school. He referred to a flagpole memorial and listed a number of spots where plaques have already been placed. As well, the placing of benches was approved last year.
Mitchell said he isn't necessarily in favor of naming buildings or setting up showcases as memorials.
"We would fill a case in no time," Mitchell said.
And, we would run out of buildings also, he added.
Regarding the cost of the memorial kiosk, Mitchell said, "the cost shouldn't be a problem."
He anticipates the funding for the project can be raised and not place a "strain" on the district. He suggested a couple of fundraising opportunities involving the community including business sponsorships through advertisements.
Following a short discussion, some of the board members voiced their approval. Board president Danny Lawrence said, "I like the concept."
Such a memorial, he said, would be expandable.
"There's always been a lot of people who have been dedicated to this school district," he said. "We need to help people not to forget them."
Board members Scott Newell and Mark Samuelson also spoke in favor of such a project. Guidelines, Newell offered, could be set and followed.
The board gave Mitchell the go-ahead to explore costs and options.
On a related matter, the board followed the committee's recommendation, as presented by Mitchell, to name a couple of permanent structures on the campus after two local icons.
The board voted to name the press box, on the home side, at Phillip D. Weaver Football Stadium on the school campus for the late Tony Rodgers who served as the "Voice of the Eagles," the public address announcer for the Vilonia Eagles football games for 39 years. Rodgers moved to Vilonia in the ninth-grade and graduated from Vilonia High School. He served as secretary and salutatorian of the class of 1956. He was a volunteer, coach, umpire and advocate for the Vilonia Schools athletic program and the community of Vilonia his entire adult life.
And, also they approved the naming of the bandstand at the football field for the late Steve Platt, who was the band director for the "Pride of Faulkner County" for 16 years. Under his direction, the Vilonia band received countless awards and accolades, including "The Brandon Award," Arkansas' highest honor to be given to a band.
Mitchell said there was some talk about naming the band building for Platt. However, he said, as the years pass his name on the building will only be seen by "kids who didn't even know him."
"And, his main thing was ... he loved marching," Mitchell interjected.
The board agreed to be in attendance at Friday night's homecoming game with Lawrence making the announcement during halftime ceremonies.
