West Potomac alumni who remember leaving their mark on the "rock" will now be able to leave their mark permanently. A new Alumni Commons Home of the Rock will be dedicated Friday evening at 6 p.m. The Commons now includes a circular patio, comprised of bricks purchased and inscribed by students, alumni, teachers, friends and family.
This is part of an ongoing project that was started several years ago by Dan Storck. He was coming to the end of his second year as PTSA president and wanted to do something for the school, so he decided to take on the position of landscape chair.
Storck did this because he realized that $40 million had been spent on the inside of the school during the renovation, but that nothing was planned to improve the outside. He formed a committee and proceeded to start developing some design plans.
The committee was lucky in that Dennis Carmichael stepped in and agreed to design the garden. Carmichael is a landscape designer with EDAW, and has worked on projects all over the country. He has four children, one of whom has graduated from West Potomac, and others who still attend the high school.
"We were very fortunate to have somebody with his talents," said Storck.
WORKING WITH THE committee, Carmichael created a three-phase design plan for the school; now all they needed was to find some money to pay for it.
By the spring of 2001, they found enough money to complete the first phase of the project, which was the landscaping of the entrance to the high school. It helped that Boy Scout Jason Benda lent his time and talent to spearhead the installation as part of his Eagle Scout requirement. It also helped that the Class of 2001 donated the benches.
The other two phases languished, partly because of money and partly because of contract negotiations. Two areas that remained were the commons and the driveway. Storck, who didn't have students at West Potomac for two years, remained involved, but leadership was transferred to other members.
THE COMMITTEE refocused their efforts last fall and sold enough bricks to get the patio installed in the commons area. The initial phase of the installation of the circle of bricks was done by Eric McGee, a graduate of West Potomac. So far, approximately 200 bricks have been purchased, but new orders are coming in every week.
The initial phase of the installation of the circle of bricks was done by Eric McGee, a graduate of West Potomac. So far, approximately 200 bricks have been purchased, but new orders are coming in every week.
Some of the sayings other than the name of the student and year are: "Row Fast West Potomac Crew--Walker Family" and "The Maniglia Family 2001-2013 - Thanks for the Memories." Also popular are benches purchased and donated by various booster clubs.
Gerri Pratsch, landscape chair, said, "The project had a major boost when the class of 2002 purchased 98 bricks with the names of the entire graduating class. Alumni Commons —Home of the Rock, hopes to bring attention to all those who have graduated in the past to be part of the WPHS legacy with the future graduates carrying on the tradition."
Pratsch said that the school wants to reach out to alumni by asking them to donate a brick for the future of the development of this part of the landscape design. Parents and grandparents may also want to donate in honor of the graduate.
"This WPHS landscaping project is a great example of how you can bring together the talent and can-do ethic of our community to achieve a beautiful result," said Storck. "It was a pleasure to lead such a great and talented committee for this project. I especially want to thank Dennis Carmichael, Phoebe Mix (current PTSA president) and Eric McGee."
ON OCTOBER 24 at 6 p.m., there will be a dedication of the island, which will officially be named Alumni Commons — Home of the Rock. The community is invited to attend. Brick prices are $45 for standard size with 4 lines˜20 characters each or $90 for large size with 6 lines˜20 characters each. The school is also accepting donations of trees and benches, and looking for help with the planting, mulching, etc. of the grounds.
For more information, call 703-329-1050.