This is a fundraiser for Gordon Dyer, an outstanding instructor and mentor who is battling cancer.
I remember it clearly—sixth-grade solo competition and I was nervous. I had convinced myself I couldn’t play. I told Mr. Dyer that maybe I’d just sit this one out. There was always next year, right? Mr. Dyer listened to my worries, and then he asked me to imagine the worst situation. What if I walked into that room with the judges staring, and I played my clarinet and it sounded horrible—all squeaks and honks. What if the performance was so bad the judges couldn’t even rate it and they laughed! Mr. Dyer assured me the worst would not happen, and even if it did, I’d make it through and I’d get back on the school bus and return to things that sustained me: shelter and food and family. He told me all this with such ease. He always knew how to put things into perspective.
Mr. Dyer may have shared words of comfort with you, too. Or maybe he pushed you to discover your own talents. We all have our memories of the man. I’m sure that in some way he has inspired each and every one of us. He taught us not only to play but to play well, and we learned to work as a team. We didn’t always voice our appreciation of his efforts—we were, after all, self-righteous teenagers—but respect was often understood. Mr. Dyer brought glory to the Highland community. We remember the ribbons; we remember the trophies; we remember “eyes with pride.”
Now is the time to show Mr. Dyer our appreciation and it’s time to offer him comfort, too. Mr. Dyer has been diagnosed with stage four prostate cancer. Let's show him that we care. The money we raise will go directly to Mr. Dyer and his wife, Linda. Our donations might go toward medical expenses or garden tools or drinks at the Java House! Whatever the case, whatever the dollar amount, Mr. Dyer will know that we're thinking of him during this difficult time.
With your contribution, you honor the past and acknowledge the present. Thank you!
Dee Thomann
Class of '97
A Noteworthy Effort for Mister Dyer donors.
- $25.00
John Strabala Family
March 15th, 2010"Our prays are with you."
- $20.00
Jessica Snyder
March 15th, 2010"Praying for you Mr. Dyer"
- $50.00
Kerri (Windus) Sandusky
March 14th, 2010"Thanks for being one HUGE reason why I am a teacher today! "
- $50.00
Tim OConner
March 13th, 2010"Thanks for all your great years at Highland!"
- $20.00
Bret
March 13th, 2010"You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers."
- hidden
Michael Strabala & Mark Heller
March 12th, 2010"Thinking of you"
- $25.00
Dan & Regina Snyder & family
March 5th, 2010"Our prayers are with you. I'm happy to hear your psa has come down greatly! Enjoy the beautiful weather in California."
- $50.00
The Bruce Temple Family
March 5th, 2010"Enjoy the ocean! So glad to share in your good report."
- $100.00
Leon and Heather Hospodarsky
February 28th, 2010"Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time. "
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The Parents of Kristi & Brian
February 27th, 2010"Your teaching far exceeded the boundaries of music; you also taught the importance of being prepared, punctuality, self-expression and supporting others through example. Thanks for everything."
- $25.00
Jared Hazelett
February 23rd, 2010"Mr. Dyer had a unique way of getting the best out of each and every student who walked into the band room. We may have had fewer members than most other bands we competed against, but you wouldn't know it from the results. He always seemed to drive us right into first place. My favorite moment with Mr. Dyer was the year he took the jazzs band to the state championships in Des Moines with only 1 saxophone player (me)! I was terrified, but he was able to coach me into 3 solos and a 15th place finish out of 16 bands at the championship. That might not sound very impressive, until you realize that there were 85 eligible jazz bands in the state of Iowa. 15th place out of 85 bands...just another example of Mr. Dyer at work!"
- $30.00
Jessica Wray
February 18th, 2010"Mr. Dyer is one of the biggest influences in my life. I hope that I can positively impact half as many lives as he did. I also wish we would have listened to him better during practice and not have made him broke so many batons."
- $25.00
Ashley Colbert, 04'
February 18th, 2010"Thank you, Mr. Dyer for the memories, dedication, and believing in each and everyone of us! You are in my thoughts and prayers."
- $25.00
Nick
February 17th, 2010"Mr. Dyer will always be the music man for me. He lived and breathed music, and his students loved him for it. good teachers are hard to find, and Mr. dyer was one of the best."
- $40.00
Anna Marie Hall
February 13th, 2010"For all the flags he made himself out of PVC pipe, plastic tablecloths, and duck tape! To the Safe Sax CD and the penny loafers! To yelling at Andy Ritchie and the police siren on the bull horn going off on the practice field! "
- $25.00
Sarah (Kirsch) Brakke
February 13th, 2010"Nobody could teach a flag routine like Mr. Dyer! "
- $100.00
Karen Zimmerman
February 12th, 2010"You were/are an important role model for my kids. Thanks for ALL you taught them."
- $25.00
Angie Frank Albers
February 11th, 2010"Being married to a teacher no makes me understand how hard Mr. Dyer has worked all these years. He has touched so many lives and I just want to thank him for that. "
- $30.00
Ken Rew
February 11th, 2010"As one of Mr. Dyer's fellow teachers, I would certainly say that no other teacher cared about their students any more than he did. I also know that even though he is now retired, he still cares about them and remains in touch with many of them. He has always worked hard for "his kids" and you can count on the fact that he will work hard to beat this disease."
- $25.00
Emily Sexton
February 10th, 2010"Mr. Dyer has touched more people than he'll ever know. Being a teacher, I don't know how he could stand to put up with our nonsense for so long!"
- $20.00
Julianne R Ossman
February 10th, 2010"Doing well in band gave me so much confidence. Thank you for that, Mr. Dyer. I hope to be half the teacher you are someday."
- $25.00
Stefanie K Chalupa
February 9th, 2010"Stay strong and get well, Mr. Dyer! Feel better soon so you can come to Minneapolis and see a play at the Guthrie!"
- $50.00
Keely A. Fox
February 9th, 2010"Mr. Dyer has had a major impact on my life. Taught me a lot about life along with music. I send my love and thoughts along with this donation. "Life's short, play loud!" - Mr. Dyer"
- $25.00
Clint Willcox
February 9th, 2010"Thank you for the wisdom on the drums. I would not be where I am today without your teachings."
- $50.00
Dana Thomann
February 9th, 2010"Perspective is a funny thing. Having been a teacher, I better understand and respect Mr. Dyer's amazing dedication to us kiddos. Think of all the overtime the man was never compensated for! He's a true gem-- my favorite teacher ever. XOXO!"
- $25.00
Tjett Gerdom
February 9th, 2010"Thank you Mr. Dyer. The world is better because of you."
FUNDRAISER PROGRESS
GOAL: $1,825
Karen Zimmerman gave $100
February 12th, 2010"You were/are an important role model for my kids. Thanks for ALL you taught them."
Leon and Heather Hospodarsky gave $100
February 28th, 2010"Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time. "
Tim OConner gave $50
March 13th, 2010"Thanks for all your great years at Highland!"
Keely A. Fox gave $50
February 9th, 2010"Mr. Dyer has had a major impact on my life. Taught me a lot about life along with music. I send my love and thoughts along with this donation. "Life's short, play loud!" - Mr. Dyer"
John Strabala Family gave $25
March 15th, 2010"Our prays are with you."
Jessica Snyder gave $20
March 15th, 2010"Praying for you Mr. Dyer"
Kerri (Windus) Sandusky gave $50
March 14th, 2010"Thanks for being one HUGE reason why I am a teacher today! "
Tim OConner gave $50
March 13th, 2010"Thanks for all your great years at Highland!"
