A chance to honor a former teacher

There is a man in Thermopolis who, during his decades of teaching, influenced probably thousands of students who passed through the doors of THS.

Best known for his tremendous work with the Wildcat Band, Bill Malloy also had season after season of winning at the State Marching Band Competition, superior ratings for his concert bands year after year and started a Jazz Band and Dixieland Band at the high school.

The Dixieland Band was unique to Wyoming and often had invitations to Mardi Gras. The Wildcat Band traveled the U.S. and Canada and procured several invitations to perform at world-class parades such as the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and the Rose Parade in Pasadena.

Mr. Malloy (no, even at my age I cannot call him “Bill”) not only taught us music and marching, he taught us discipline and consequences, travel etiquette and how to be responsible human beings.

Now, for all he has given us, we have a chance to give back to him.

It has been proposed to the school board the auditorium should be named after Mr. Malloy for not only his decades of teaching the youth of Thermopolis, but the unceasing pride he carries for our Bobcats.

The proposal will be discussed at the school board meeting on Tuesday, April 16 in the boardroom in the administration building. The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m.

It would be wonderful to see his former students rally around the idea and I hope to see you all at the board meeting!