2018 Hazel Park Schools Communicator : HPHS Class of ‘66 Viking Head Restored With Pride

HAZEL PARK’S CLASS OF 1966 MADE PLANS TO HAVE THEIR 50TH CLASS reunion on the night of September 10, 2016. That morning, they had an opportunity to visit their old stomping grounds, strolling the hallways of Hazel Park High School. “We had an opportunity to walk the halls,” said ‘66 graduate, Linda McLatcher. “We went into the courtyard, of course, because that area was off-limits when we were students. And we noticed a Viking head. Underneath, there was a plaque that read ‘Class of 1966.’”

The former students were perplexed at first. Many didn’t realize their class had donated the monument many years prior. “We looked at it, and the head was in perfect condition but the column was falling apart,” she said. “We became determined to find out more so we could restore it.”

That night at the reunion, one classmate, Nelson Brandymore, made a plea to the others, asking them to organize an effort to refurbish the Viking head and the column around it. McLatcher explained, “Everyone was excited. We put together a committee and people sent in donations. We deposited these in the bank and eventually had enough to pay for what we wanted to do.” The small committee consisted of Linda and Dan McLatcher, Tom Moberly, Barbara Repke and Sandra Nichols.

Once the funds were gathered, the team solicited the help of a local sculpture business, Detroit Design Center, and owners/brothers, Eric and Israel Nordin, happily came on board. “They were as excited about this as we were,” McLatcher said. “They worked on a new base for it and cleaned up the head. Then, the brothers suggested we move it to the front of the building. We contacted principal [Matthew Dailey] and he was on board.” They were also in touch with School Superintendent, Dr. Amy Kruppe, who was happy to see the structure come to life again.

However, the landscaping around the area needed to be revamped. “We had enough money to do some landscaping,” McLatcher explained. “I wanted to keep this project local, so I went online and found Paradise Garden Landscaping in Hazel Park. Once again, they were so excited about it.” Zaid Hanna donated his labor and furnished the plantings at cost. Additionally, Lou DeCiantis donated his time and material to create the concrete pad at the front entrance.

When everything was complete, the class held a rededication. “There had to have been 50-60 people there,” McLatcher said. “Classmates, administrators, and school board members all came. This was totally a community project.”

Thanks to the community, the head will stand for many years, showcasing the pride of everyone who attends Hazel Park High.