On a wickedly windy, chilly autumn day in Brethren, about 100 people packed a small school auditorium to honor actor James Earl Jones and his mentor and teacher, Donald Crouch.
Crouch and Jones were immortalized Saturday with bronze statues as well as local mentors on a plaque as a testament to mentorship outside of the Kaleva Norman Dickson Schools in Brethren.
“We are honoring a former graduate, a famous one for sure and the teacher who helped him overcome his stutter and find his famous voice," said Cynthia Asialia, vice chair of the Arts and Culture Alliance of Manistee. "
“We also want to emphasize how important it is to recognize mentors who help us in our own lives and how their influence can lead us to a successful and satisfying life," Asalia said.
James Earl Jones moved from Mississippi to Manistee County when he was 5. He didn’t talk much growing up because of a stutter. And then he met his ninth grade English teacher.
“Wait a minute, my great-grandfather taught Darth Vader? How cool is that," said Sid Halley, the great grandson of Donald Crouch, who taught Jones and helped him overcome his stutter through poetry and memorization.
Jones has said that’s what set him on the path to a legendary acting career.
“Mentoring is a small way for each of us to make a big difference for someone else. The two that we are commemorating today are a shining example of that," Halley said.
"If my great-grandfather hadn’t taken the time to work with Mr. Jones … think of things that would be different for us. The plains of Africa would have a different voice, baseball in a homemade field in Iowa would sound different and Luke may not know who his father is.”
PC: Tyler Thompson
THE UNVEILING
Gusts of wind whipped through the field as the sun competed with an overcast sky.
Outside, the crowd gathered by the statues as Joy Smith from the Arts and Culture Alliance of Manistee County greeted people.
“Ladies and gentlemen we’re gonna unveil the statues aren't we blessed with the sunshine and no rain," Smith said.
And then, Smith grabbed some drumsticks and played in the big moment with a drumroll and a cymbal crash.
Sculptor Bernadette Zachara removed blue sheets revealing Jones and Donald Crouch.
The Alliance wanted to celebrate more than their local celebrities. They wanted to celebrate the importance of mentorship
They asked the public to nominate their mentors and received over 100 names that are listed next to the statues.
Jones was unable to attend the festivities, but his cousin, Terry Connolly, said Jones was a mentor to him.
Connolly nominated four people, like his father who taught him how to fix “everything” and his former government teacher at Brethren High School. He said he graduated with a D-minus average, but without his teacher’s help, he may not have made it.
“Mentorship, I think that’s grand and that it’s used in James Earl’s name to bring attention to it, I think that's great," Connolly said. "It’s bringing attention to the school and the people who’ve done so much for the area.”
Others nominated siblings, parents, friends, neighbors, pastors; folks who made a positive difference in other peoples’ lives.
“Mentoring is a small way for each of us to make a big difference for someone else."
Sid Halley
great-grandson of Donald Crouch
Cindy Asiala nominated her teachers at Brethren. She grew up there, graduated and eventually taught Spanish in her hometown.
“When you really think about it, so many people have helped shape your life. Those are the people that make you want to do your best,” Asalia said.
The statues of James Earl Jones, Donald Crouch and the names of local mentors are right outside of Kaleva Norman Dickson Schools, across the street from the former Brethren High School.
PC: Tyler Thompson
