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Zon Eastes - PHS Class of 1972

Introduced to the piano at age 5 and to the cello in 5th grade in the school orchestra program, Zon Eastes became a student of Nancy Kerr in 7th grade. Zon graduated from Pratt High School in 1972 and then from the University of New Mexico and Stony Brook University. As an accomplished musician, conductor, motivational teacher, and advocate for the humanities, Zon continues to impact our world. He has taught cello and coached chamber music at Amherst, Dartmouth, and Keene State Colleges, as well as at the Brattleboro Music Center. Zon has performed as a chamber musician and festival participant across North America, Europe, and China. He has conducted orchestras on both coasts, including the Windham Orchestra for over twenty years. A committed arts and creativity advocate, he worked six years at the Vermont Arts Council, where he led the establishment of the Vermont Creative Network. Zon is founder and music director of Juno Orchestra, Vermont’s only professional chamber orchestra. He currently resides in Guilford, Vermont, where he is chair of the selectboard (outside of New England, that means mayor).

Edward "Ed" Thompson - PHS Class of 1961

Edward “Ed” Thompson graduated from Pratt High School in 1961.  After graduating from Kansas State University with a degree in architecture, he began a 40 year career with Skidmore, Owings and Merrill.  He managed the architectural and engineering teams who designed some of the world’s most elegant and challenging buildings.  His projects included numerous buildings across the midwest of America including the Trump Tower in Chicago.  Among his many international projects were Canary Wharf and the Liverpool Train Station in London.  His capstone project was the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai; finished in 2009 standing 2,722 feet tall.  The technical challenges were immense and the building set 16 world construction records.  Ed and his wife Susan now reside in Manhattan, KS.