VIN'S PEOPLE: A lasting legacy for Manatee High School's 'cool' teacher
Jon Scott was the cool teacher everyone wanted at Manatee High.
Tie-dye shirts, shorts and sandals were his trademark.
He lived life to the fullest as a beloved educator, mentor and coach for 34 years, but also as a friend.
Ask Tim Vella, Class of ’90.
“He went skydiving with us for my 30th birthday,” Vella, 50, said. “He enjoyed life, doing these kind of things. He was a teacher you always remember.”
So many memories are conjured by the passing of the retired MHS teacher and ’79 alum who was only 61. This weekend’s celebration of life promised to be rich with them.
Michelle McCarthy, also a career MHS educator and alum, remembers.
“If you knew Jon or had him as a teacher or colleague he was fully present in your life,” she said.
That included playing defensive tackle alongside Mark Anderson in the Hurricanes “Last Stand Defense” in the late ’70s.
“He was part of us,” the ’80 alum said. “He kept everybody laughing and upbeat. He was always smiling.”
That defined Jon’s attitude teaching, whether it was English, creative writing, art or film, personally greeting students at the door. Or coaching football, track or softball and giving athletes a ride home after practice.
“Jon has a lasting legacy, having gone to Manatee and teaching here for all those years, he left something in people, not just for people,” McCarthy said. “He was always there to help, always ready to show up.
“And he was constantly evolving and growing. He went back to school to be an art teacher. Then he taught film his last couple of years. He was so passionate about the subject no matter what it was. He loved Manatee.”
• The City of Anna Maria’s Memorial Day Symphony Salute next Monday features the Anna Maria Island Concert Orchestra conducted by Leonard Murphy and begins 10 a.m. at City Pier Park, 100 N. Bay Drive.
• Say it ain’t so! Paul Maechtle, Southeast’s retired Hall of Fame football coach, hit the Big 7-0!
• And John Harder, the retired Noles’ Hall of Fame girls basketball coach, is 74.
• Samoset Elementary fourth-grade teacher Deelah Jackson is one of five Florida Teacher of the Year finalists. We’ll know the winner in July.
• Lakewood Ranch High’s Hailey Marston was second in the Class 4A 3,200 meters finals and third in the 1,600 meters finals at the FHSAA Track & Field State Championships in Gainesville.
• Carey Miller, an information specialist with the Manatee Chamber of Commerce, received the Florida Chamber Professional of the Year Award from the Florida Association of Chamber Professionals.
• Eryn LaLonde earned a master's in health care administration from the University of Central Florida.
• And Bradenton’s Aiden Little, a Colorado College freshman and No. 1 singles player, was named Men's Tennis Newcomer of the Year in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference. He’s the Tigers’ first player to win the award and the only freshman voted to the All-SCAC first team. He led CC to 13 wins, the most in 41 years. The SCAC has nine NCAA Division III schools, including seven in Texas and one in Louisiana.
Vin’s People runs Sundays. Email Vin Mannix at vinspeople@gmail.com Or call 941-962-5944. Twitter: @vinmannix.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: VIN MANNIX: A lasting legacy for Manatee High School's 'cool' teacher
