Page 13 - Dresden Buzz 07-12-24

JULY 12 - 25, 2024 SPORTS | PAGE 13
“We Dresden Jefferson students Jack Anderson! “Saying Mr. Ander- parents, and the next time that gang
already knew Mr. Anderson as a strong son was unique is almost an understate- went out for ‘lunch’, their parents were
and effective leader,” states Graham. ment.” offered 1965 Jefferson HS grad- waiting for them inside the establish-
How would the students from the other uate and member of both Jayhawk state ment, much to their surprise!”
two schools react?” champion basketball teams, Paul Lacey. “And yes, he was indeed the con-
“With only occasional glitches, that “At times he could be the pure defi- summate jokester – on the job at school
first year went surprisingly well,” states nition of an enigma,” continued Lacey. and at home,” admits Ann. “I remem-
Graham. “Mr. Anderson was an excellent teacher ber when his secretary Lillette got en-
Four qualities that Mr. Anderson in his own right, and an outstanding ad- gaged, he wore sunglasses in his office
possessed made him the ideal person ministrator. He was firm but fair. He at school for a week because he said the
to integrate these “strangers” into a co- was feared yet loved. He was serious bright shine of her engagement ring hurt
hesive student body: but yet could be a consummate practi- his eyes!” “And he would frequently put
cal joker.” charges in Jefferson HS music teacher
Respect - Mr. Anderson earned “I say that most teacher’s, admin- Dick McCluggage’s cigars; he got a
our respect by showing respect for istrator’s goal is to hope to have a life charge out of that!”
ALL students, regardless of what changing, positive influence on a few, Ann also pointed out a unique fact
school they had previously maybe only one youngster in their ca- about her Dad and his involvement with
attended. reer! Mr. Anderson did that for hun- his hometown Coshocton community.
dreds, perhaps thousands of young “At the same time he was Tri-Valley HS
Fairness - Mr. Anderson treated the people! Yes, he was unique!” concluded
students fairly, whether doling out Lacey.
needed discipline or bestowing Anderson’s daughter Ann Leppla is
praise. It did not matter which a life-long Coshocton resident, a 1969
school we previously had attended. Coshocton HS graduate, and a 1972
graduate of Ohio State. She taught Sci-
Accountability - If a student ence at Coshocton High School for 30
A PERFECT FIT! strayed from school policies, years. Ann and her husband John, have
Jack Anderson at his desk as Jefferson HS consequences would soon follow, a son Matt, who is a Coshocton City
principal Submitted tempered with kindness. Mr. Schools employee.
Anderson was an intimidating- Just like her father, Ann Leppla is an
body and the Tri-Valley community. Jack looking figure. Yet after outgoing, enormously friendly, and civic-
was truly one of the best men I have ever administering needed behavior- minded member of her community. Fif-
known, and even after all these years, altering measures, he would quickly ty-three years after her father’s death,
his advice moves me forward every day,” reestablish good rapport with the memories and stories of her legendary
concluded Cameron. offender. Dad still flood to the forefront from Ann.
Fred Graham is a most respected, “My Dad always referred to all of his
retired TVHS teacher and coach - and Sense of humor - Many times, students as ‘his kids”,” explains Ann. “I
member of the TVHS Athletic Hall of when walking into the gym at lunch never took offense to that; I knew what
Fame for his coaching feats. He’s a time, and the atmosphere was a they meant to him, and I knew what he
member of the first TVHS graduating little too loud and rowdy, Mr. meant to all of the students he looked
class of 1967, who always jokes that Anderson would bellow out a re after all those years – they loved and re-
he – and every member of his class first sounding “Hey !!” and it was spected him.”
TV senior class - are the oldest living Tri- immediately so quiet you could “He did so many things for so many
Valley graduates! hear a pin drop. He would then students that went unnoticed,” contin-
Graham has little problem pointing crack a big smile and walk out. We ues Ann. “When he was at Jefferson
out the virtues of Jack Anderson. got the message! His sense of HS in the 1960’s during summer break
“Speaking for myself, and probably humor was also apparent in the each year, he worked at GE in Coshoc-
many others of the first Tri-Valley senior office. To foster a friendly working ton, and helped many of his former stu-
class, I was nervous and excited about environment, Mr. Anderson often dents get jobs there.”
the first day of school. How would we teased and was teased by the office “He sometimes had unique ways of
get along, coming from three previously staff. reprimanding students who broke the principal, he was a member of the Board
separate and rival schools: Adamsville, rules at school as well,” Ann explains. of Education for Coshocton City Schools
Frazeysburg, and Dresden Jefferson? It “Sadly, Mr. Anderson’s time as “Back in the day, students were allowed in his hometown, which would be un-
would take a special person to guide us TVHS principal was much too short, due to either go home for lunch or to local heard of these days. He was instrumen-
in the blending process,” explains Gra- to serious illness. But for Tri-Valley Lo- eateries, then return to school. But a tal in the development of both new high
ham. cal Schools, Mr. Jack Anderson was the few upperclassmen broke the rules and schools, Coshocton in 1969, and the
“Fortunately, we had that special RIGHT man, at the RIGHT place, at the would go to a local bar for lunch; my Dad new high school at TVHS in 1970-71,”
person, Mr. Jack Anderson.” RIGHT time,” concluded Graham. caught wind of this and contacted their states Ann.
“My Dad packed a lot of living in his
53 short years, for sure; we all were so
fortunate to have him in our lives,” con-
cluded Ann.
Jack Anderson’s secretary, in his fi-
nal years at TVHS - Lillette (Corder) Hold-
ren – gives a final perspective on the
man she admired so.
“Disciplinarian, jokester, father fig-
ure to all, sports fan, historian, detective
and so much more,” recalls Holdren.
“Behind that gruff guise was a huge car-
ing and generous heart of gold! Fifty-
three years later, we all still miss you
“Mr. Anderson” – and will never forget
you. Thanks for the memories…

GRADUATION DIRECTION
TVHS principal Jack Anderson addresses the
graduating Class of 1971, one final time. Sadly,
it was the last graduating class Mr. Anderson
presided over.
Submitted