School's reunion a special date for couple

Memories of Zephyrhills High roll back to the '60s for those attending its 31st reunion, including a couple who met there.

By MICHELLE JONES

© St. Petersburg Times, published June 26, 2000

ZEPHYRHILLS -- Phyllis Jarrett Denney remembers the day she met Dan Denney; she even remembers what she was reading and wearing at the time.

The year was 1969.

"We were introduced by Marty Bird during lunch in front of the library," she said. "I was reading Mr. and Mrs. Bo Jo Jones, about two teenagers who got married, and I was wearing a pleated dress, that was in style at the time."

As fate would have it, marriage was also in the plans for the two, although several years would pass until they tied the knot. The Denneys have been married 22 years now and have one daughter, Shelbie, 5.

Phyllis was in the eighth grade at the Zephyrhills School and Dan was in the seventh grade when they met.

On Sunday, 27 years later, they took a walk around their old school, recalling incidents and fond memories during the 31st reunion of alumni, faculty and friends of Zephyrhills High School.

The school is now the Raymond B. Stewart Middle School, on 10th Avenue. The main brick building is the one built in 1926 after the original 1912 schoolhouse burned to the ground.

"There was a two-story brick building built, but the second floor was damaged; and when it was rebuilt in 1934, it was on one level with more rooms," said Margaret Seppanen, the historian for the school's alumni association. "Many of us graduated from this school."

Seppanen is a member of the class of 1956.

The Denneys became high school sweethearts, graduating in 1973 and 1974. They were in band together, went to proms and homecoming dances, and recall their school days and life in Zephyrhills fondly.

"It was a great place to grow up in, a small town with great people with good values," said Dan Denney.

Now they make their home in Apopka, near Orlando, a town not unlike their hometown.

"It is a great place, too; it reminds me of Zephyrhills," said Mrs. Denney.

Her husband works for the fire department at Disney World, and she is a medical and X-ray assistant.

He teased his childhood sweetheart about her political tendencies, and her good standing with teachers.

"She always had a cause," he said.

She recalled a petition she circulated to have William Calley freed from prison.

Calley, a lieutenant in the Army, was court-martialed for the murder of civilians at My Lai in 1968 during the Vietnam War.

"My brothers were in that war," she said. "So it was important to me."

Most of what she did was okay with the teachers, she said.

"They knew whatever I did would be organized and orderly," she said.

Denney said one incident he remembered got him in trouble, while she got away without punishment.

"She picked me up in her car, and we were running late for school," he said. "The car ran off the road; and when we finally got there, I got the tardy slip and detention and she was let off."

The best memories they shared were their days in the band. She said she gave up cheerleading to play the clarinet, bells and piano in the band, while he played the drums.

After-school practices and trips on the bus to out-of-town football games provide their fondest memories.

The two of them love to come to the reunion each year to see old friends and teachers.

John Clark, the band director, was their favorite teacher.

"He influenced us about discipline and teamwork and taking care of each other," he said.

Clark, who also attended Sunday, said he remembers the Denneys as good students and good musicians.

"Being good students was the most important," Clark said.

- Michelle Jones covers central Pasco community news. She can be reached at (813) 226-3459. Her e-mail address is jones@sptimes.com.

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