A new monument was dedicated to former teacher Bill Burby on Sunday, July 21. It was Strawberry Festival weekend, and the Burby sons and families were present for the annual Burby run/walk. Jason Burby, class of 1990 lives in Lake Oswego, Oregon. Aaron Burby, class of 1992, lives in San Francisco.

Eagle Scout and 2019 VHS graduate Andreas Lorentzen came up with the idea to build benches and create a quiet area near the totem pole on the high school campus as his special project. A large rock was donated and delivered by Frank Zellerhoff, a former student of Bill Burby, onto which a bronze plaque was affixed by Bill’s friend Dennis Davidson.

An additional bronze plaque affixed to a bench tells a story of Lorentzen’s project. He and the Burby family hope that it will be a special spot for VHS students.

Pictured from left to right are Jason Burby, daughter Avangeline Burby, Dmitria Burby, Destia Burby-Hermes, Aaron Burby and fiancee Kristen Stuecher.

— Destia Burby Hermes