In June 2022, as the school year wound to close, the senior class members were not the only ones looking ahead to the next step in life. W-H music teachers Devin Dondero and Donald Legge were also ready to close the books and try something new.
Life, sometimes cruelly, has other plans.
Shortly after his retirement, Dondero was diagnosed with late-stage bladder cancer.
Tonight, Thursday, March 2 – from 6 to 9 p.m. at the high school library – the Fine Arts Department at WHRHS will host a fundraiser to help defray some of the medical expenses involved in that battle with cancer.
The concert, art raffle and reception – which Dondero plans to attend, according to Instrumental Music Teacher Brian Rowe.
Rowe asked that anyone who finds themselves in close proximity to, or wishing to greet Dondero at the event, wear a mask to protect him from further illness. Dondero had just received medical clearance to attend on Monday.
“As a school community, that has been devastated with the news, of his health, because he’s probably one of the healthiest and most athletic guys I have ever met,” Rowe said. “He’s one of those guys, where his health is his wealth and music is his passion.”
Both Dondero and Legge, at the time of their retirement, planned that the next chapter was a chance for more opportunities to perform — jazz trombone for Dondero and guitar for Legge — as they awaited, bringing their musical journey full circle.
Both majored in music performance, and taught to pass on their love of music.
They would be giving some lessons, yes, but performing was their main focus. Dondero, who also plays bass, is part of a blues trio for bass, but said the trombone gigs pay better.
“I think we realized at the stage of our development here as music educators, it was the time to go,” Dondero said at the time. “For two very important reasons — it’s going to be better for the department because now they’re hiring three people, which is really good because that means the department will take a huge step forward.
“Devin was a respected member of our school community and was especially beloved by his music students,” said Superintendent of Schools Jeff Szymaniak. “Although his diagnosis is devastating, I’m hoping this event can ease some of the fnancial stress that he and his famiy are feeling.”
Rowe is one of those younger people, taking Dondero’s position at W-H.
“To see a guy go through something like this and battle with cancer again,” Rowe said.
Dondero had faced cancer once before and beat it.
He said the school community learned of Dondero’s illness a couple weeks ago, noting his students felt the full brunt of the sad news when they returned to school after their weekend.
“Definitely the morale of the band room was low,” Rowe said, noting he and new choir director Gregory Daigle along with the parents’ organization, W-H Friends of Music, the idea for the benefit evening was developed.
Rowe described the event as an evening of raffles, art and music.
Baskets made from items donate by local businesses and organizations will be raffled as well as student artwork from design classes. Culinary students are creating refreshments to serve and sell, as well, and music students will be performing.
“Anybody can take part,” Rowe said. “It’s a raffle-oriented occasion and we are also providing a live QR code we’ll be sending out to parents and the community that they can donate virtually through, in case they are unable to attend.”
The event will be taped for rebroadcast over WHCA-TV and, Rowe hoped it could be livestreamed on whca.tv.
‘We’ll be having a great night of music, art and food that will [honor] a guy who worked so hard to bring fine arts to the community,” Rowe said. “The students who are performing today and are giving their time, are really a product of his hard work and his dedication to the community. This is really a great testament to him for what he’s brought to us and we’re hopefully going to make a sizeable dent in some of his medical costs – to keep him happy, keep him healthy for as long as we possibly can.”