John H. Scott, Jr was a renowned musician and teacher.  At the early age of 8 years old, Mr. Scott showed interest in music, and thus he began learning his first instrument; the trumpet. Later, he mastered both the piano and guitar. During his high school years, Mr. Scott was an exceptional student in the band program at Huguenot High School.  Upon graduation, he carried his talents to Howard University, where he was a member of the marching band and numerous other ensembles.  Mr. Scott graduated with a Bachelor of Music Education degree with a minor in Trumpet Pedagogy.  He then completed his Master’s degree in Applied Music at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU).
 
     Following graduation from VCU, Mr. Scott taught music at Abundant Life Christian School and Thomas Jefferson High School in Richmond, Virginia.  Mr. Scott spent the majority of his teaching career at Henrico High School, where he held the position Director of Bands.  He made magic happen despite having only minimal resources.  He took great pride in teaching his students the proper mechanics of music as well as the keys to matriculating life.  Under his leadership, the Mighty Marching Warrior Band won countless music awards, competitions, trophies, medals, and even National Grand Champion in 2007.  Henrico County Public Schools also recognized the band for achieving the distinct honor of being named the 2007-2008 Asymmetrix Entertainment National High Stepping Marching Band Grand Champions.  It was not just the marching band that was excelling, but the concert band, jazz band, and percussion ensemble all earned excellent and superior ratings throughout Mr. Scott’s teaching career at Henrico High as well.  Mr. Scott had an incredible impact on both the community and students.  For his excellence in education, he received the honor of being named the “Teacher of the Year”, but several of his students would thank him and honor him with the “Teacher of Life”.
 
     Upon receiving the news of his passing, several students took to social media to express how much he meant to us. Here’s an excerpt from Mr. Mick Mickens.
 
“Given the backdrop of everything going on in the world, I just cannot come to understand Scott's passing. Scott was there for my first step in the transition from middle to high school. My mom dropped me off on a hot August day (so hot that the county forced all school activities to be held inside), and I just remember being so nervous. I quickly learned that it was going to be hard. That excuses were the tools of the incompetent and that we were going to practice until we couldn’t get it wrong, like the champions we were.  I learned that I could drop those fears, because this high school wasn’t going to be full of clichés and stereotypes out of some movie. The only thing that mattered here was that you showed up and did the work. That this was going to be a family, and a place where anyone could join. That we all now had something in common, and we were in it together long before I ever had any classes.
     Scott did that year after year, for me and so many others. He was an amazing musician in his own right and was able to teach anyone. I remember he had people who had never played an instrument before approach him and say that they wanted to learn, and he would always say yes. As long as they stuck with it, he was there for them. People could switch instruments and take on a new challenge, and he always made it happen. I honestly don’t know how that was even possible; they would all make the show and be contributing. He knew that we were only as good as our weakest link, but there was no one left behind as long as they did what they were supposed to. And through all that, he led us to a literal national championship.
But his impact and legacy went way past any musical accomplishment. He fostered leadership in all of us in a way that’s still impressive to me now that I’m almost thirty and in my career. Section leaders had ultimate responsibility for their section’s performance, proactively correcting issues, and when the section messed up, section leaders were responsible. That mentality cascaded down through every single person that walked through the door. 
     That band room was a safe haven for every one of us, and it was one hundred percent a testament to Scott. Friday evenings before football games, traveling for competitions, quiet moments, or scrambling to finish assignments before class, he made that room a sanctuary for whatever people needed. Seeing so many people call him a father figure resonates, because he cared for each of us in our personal lives and was a shoulder to cry on when anyone needed him. When we messed up (and we all did, we were stupid high schoolers) he would hold us accountable for our actions. Every time. However, he would always link how our actions impacted the entire group, and he would always take that extra step to correct us to make us better people. Always. His instincts to make us better people were always right, even when we didn’t understand it at the time. Imagine that, hundreds of students, hundreds of times a day for a decades-long career. 
     The thing I’m struggling with most amidst everything going on, and particularly cries to defund the police is that John Scott was a perfect model for what the solution should look like. There were so many times Scott could have reported us for something stupid and been done with it. But he fought for us every day. He was our social worker, our friend, our advocate, our teacher, and we are all the result of his investment in our community. In short, he’s exactly what the world needs right now. That’s the part I’m having a hard time understanding. Why we’re losing him, when there really should be 1,000 more John Scotts in the world.
     So, I guess all I can say now is thank you, Scott. I’ll try to take your example to heart and live it. You watch out for those cinderblocks. And Hubba Hubba, Baby.

Sincerely,
Buck Nasty Jr.”

     Countless individuals shared similar sentiments. Mr. John Scott meant more than words can express to his family, students, Henrico High School, and the community.  His legacy shall forever have a resting place in our hearts and minds.  To honor him as the man worthy to be honored, we, the undersigned, are requesting the consideration of the changes listed below.  It is with these changes; we believe Mr. John Scott shall be revered for his contributions at and for Henrico High School.
 
Requests for Consideration:
 
·      The naming of the Football Field (John H. Scott, Jr. Field at Chappell Stadium)
·      The naming of the Band Room/Hall with a plaque honoring Mr. Scott in the entryway
 
Thank you!