My father was pastor at Campion, as pastor he sat on several staff committees. He had a policy that although he sat on the discipline committee, he wanted to be known as a pastor to whom the students could turn for help instead of being known as a disciplinarian, so he did not participate in the discipline procedures.
My friend, Jerry Wall, whose father taught shop at Campion, and I worked at Silver State Plastics and Packaging. As village students we could work longer hours than the dorm students, as well as taking advantage of vacations, long weekends, etc. to get in extra hours of work.
During one school break near graduation in 1968 Jerry and I were working every morning from 4 AM on for most of the day. One morning we got together at 3:30 AM and drove my old 1960 Ford Falcon station wagon, you could see the road through the rust holes in the floor board, to the water tower with a can of red paint. Under cover of the pre-dawn darkness we climbed the water tower and painted our class numbers “68” along with some other graphics, on the tower and scurried to work.
That evening as I sat around the supper table, my father mentioned that there had been an intense conversation at staff meeting that morning about someone from the class of 68 violating the rules against climbing the water tower. He said,
“They even asked me if I knew who had done it.” Dad related to us that he had reminded them of his policy with the students and that even if he knew who had painted the tower he would not be at liberty to disclose the names to them. He went on speaking explaning that, “Actually, I do not know exactly who did paint the water tower; however, I do have a word of advice for you,” he said looking directly across the table at me.
“I suggest that you remove that can of red paint from the rear floorboard of your car.”
We never spoke of the Tower escapade again.
Rod Scherencel 68'
Pastor Loveland SDA Church |
