The Kosciusko School District recently recognized Star-Herald photographer Kevin Brunt as December’s Alumni of the Month.
Brunt was joined by Kosciusko Lower Elementary Principal Dr. Michelle Nowell, Kosciusko Junior High School Principal Logan Cheek, and counseling Director Semone Olive for a video interview in which Brunt described his Whippet pride, what life was like when he was in high school, and how his time in school helped him grow into who he is today.
Since the current junior high school is located where the former high school used to be, Cheek asked Brunt about where certain things were in 1975, when Brunt graduated, such as the student parking lot.
Brunt said students would enter from South Huntington Street and park near where the former band hall used to reside, and they would also use the side entrance between the gym and the auditorium.
When asked if he participated in any extracurricular activities, Brunt said he was mainly focused on his schoolwork.
“No, I did not,” said Brunt. “All I did was study.”
Brunt said one memory that notes when thinking back on his high school years is the way integration was handled throughout the school district.
“That had a huge impact on a lot. Kevin Porter, Mr. White, Mr. Sullivan, Coach Slater — it was just, there was no fear in it. It went perfectly,” said Brunt. “Just watching them was something I'll never forget, and I think about it a lot looking back on it.”
Brunt said he fondly remembers the kindness of Melba White and the teaching methods of Walter Johnson, whom he credits as being the most influential teachers in his life growing up. Brunt said Johnson was the one who first piqued his interest in science.
“Melba was kind to me and some others there and let us roam around their property pretty much unsupervised, which was a mistake,” he joked. “And Walter Johnson, he was just a great teacher and he instilled in me an interest in science.”
Brunt, who has had his photographs published in many newspapers and publications, said James Clegg was someone in his high school career who inspired him to pursue photography.
Overall, he said the educators in the district that touched his life are what he misses and remembers most about his years in school.
“The people that had the biggest influence on my heart going forward are the educators there, and I have had a special place in my heart for educators ever since,” said Brunt. “I was proud to see my children and grandchildren graduate from Kosciusko.”
