"THE
ROCK"
Beginning with a major renovation and construction program for the Fenton High School, our "Rock", experienced a period of turbulence which caused considerable distress among our loyal alumni. During the construction, the contractors moved our “Rock” from its position on Fenton High School property just off of Donalson Drive, to some obscure area, know only to the contractor and a few school administrators
The contractors provided a huge “New Rock” discovered while excavating the area for the new stadium. It wasn’t long before the current students were painting class numbers on this new jagged hunk of field stone. It wasn’t long before some observant alumni in the community started asking the school administrators about “what happened to our Rock”?
As is often the case, as time passes and new people replace the older teachers and administrators, institutional memory often fades or evaporates. A newspaper report had our “old” Rock buried beneath the “new” Rock. Fortunately, this report was in error, and a group of alumni found the “old” Rock sitting near one of the school buildings.
Our Rock was in very poor condition. Over the many years, the Rock had been moved, stolen, buried and generally abused by those uninformed of the history and tradition associated with this rectangular piece of lime stone. The “Rock” was rescued and over the next several months repaired and reconditioned by the Fenton Memorial Company.
Our Association, with the agreement of the Fenton school officials, has established an “Alumni Memorial Park”, near the entrance to the new stadium on the school campus. Our “Rock” is now positioned in the center of this park area, which will be landscaped to feature the “Rock”.
The traditional painting of our Alumni “Rock” will be reserved for alumni…the new “Rock” is now starting a tradition of its own, active students will have their own Rock to paint, but the “old” Rock will be for Alumni only!
There are all kinds of tales associated with the origin of the Alumni Rock, including one that had it being brought to Fenton with returning soldiers from the Civil War battle of Chickamauga. However, the best reference to its origin is found in the following dedication:
SENIORS' MEMORIAL ROCK
By a Senior, Class of 1881
Our Seniors have bought a Memorial Rock
In which they take wonderful pride
And so do the boys of the lower rooms
Who have carved upon every side.
It consists of a big chunk of lime-stone
Intended at first to be square,
With a ditch on the top for inscriptions
Which little ones have to put there.
It resembles the Class in many respects
And makes a good place for the young,
To practice a jig or learn how to jump
And sit when the bell has rung.
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In the past the "The Rock" has often appeared as a glob of paint. For the past several decades, the tradition has been for each class to "paint the rock" with the number of their class year. With each reunion, "The Rock" is revisited and often has a new coat of paint and "old" numbers are restored. "The Rock" is an important part of Fenton High School tradition, and for years stood on the South Adelaide Street in front of the old Fenton High School. With its new location in the Alumni Park, near the Stadium entrance, the returning alumni, will undoubtedly continue the tradition. |
