History Knox
Mark Jordan authors a History Knox column each Saturday for Knox Pages.
MOUNT VERNON — The Mount Vernon High School band, the Mellow Jackets, named as a clever play on the Yellow Jackets sports teams, had a big year in 1972.
That was the year they were invited to participate in a national band competition, and placed fourth.
The invitation to the All-American High School Stage Band Competition was secured with the help of the editor of the Mount Vernon News, Hal Clawson.
He also worked out the tricky logistics of transporting an entire high school band from central Ohio all the way to Mobile, Alabama, deep in the south.
The band flew, while many families, friends, and supporters drove.
Participating in this competition was fitting for a band with such a strong reputation that it was even invited to other towns across Ohio to play as a dance band.
The group’s runouts included a visit to Richwood in Union County, widely promoted in that area’s local media.
This photo from the Knox Time Collection, donated by Vicki Clawson Adams, shows the band with director Robert Bechtel.
The band members, according to information supplied with the photo, include John Stangler, Kathy Stauch, Dan Hurlow, Terri Pealer, Doug Tucker, Bryon Smith, Dave Antill, Allan Szenas, Ed Wilson, Jim Frady, Martha Edick, Tom Kennedy, Butch Curran, John Holmes, Kevin Willmering, Steve Walz, and Jeff Mondron.
The four-day event also gave students chances to participate in workshops, which many found memorable.
The competition itself featured 20 bands from all over the U.S.
While the Mellow Jackets did not win top prize, they did place fourth, an impressive showing against rivals from all over the country.