From The Vault Of Art Shay: Harmon, Again
By Chuck Sudo in News on Dec 27, 2012 9:20PM
(Legendary Chicago-based photographer Art Shay has taken photos of kings, queens, celebrities and the common man in a 60-year career. This week, a chance email has Art reminiscing of his late son Harmon.)
(Ed. Note: Late last week, I received an email from a reader named Frank McCoy, a former classmate of Art Shay's late son Harmon, that recounted a moment from Harmon's high school days at Deerfield High School in Deerfield, Ill.
I forwarded the email to Art and his archivist, Erica DeGlopper. Art replied, "Chuck, I hope you print the letter. It brought tears to my eyes. Harmon was the very best of Florence and of me." Since I already had printing the letter in mind I asked Art if he could share more photos of Harmon, which he was more than gracious to do. Art and I agree this makes for one of the better holiday stories you'll read this year. If you want to know more about Harmon Shay, we ask that you take the time and read Art's June 8, 2011 post.—CS)
I was a classmate of Harmon's. I'm a Mensa member but even then saw him as being exceptional, as measured against my own intellect and that of others at DHS that I recognized as bright. Perhaps the Shays have heard this anecdote but if not, I hope they'll find it revealing and amusing.
Harmon did not abide rules and procedures he thought to be the product of fools. Our school was designed by the storied firm of Loebl, Schlossman Bennett and Dart. Harmon knew the fire drills we were required to participate in were pointless. The buildings were impervious to fire.
So one day the fire alarm rang as Harmon and his gym class were changing. Harmon was caught mid-change in his gym t-shirt and his jock strap.
As a sort of protest against the aforementioned foolishness, he did exactly as he had been directed and marched out, standing in line just as he was when the alarm sounded. In doing so he enjoyed the opportunity to thumb his nose at authority. We enjoyed it too. Everyone understood the message, including the school officials. From then on, it seemed like there were fewer unthinking directives, perhaps because of a fear of another moment like the one Harmon capitalized on.
In a school full of pretty bright kids, Harmon was a standout and remains a memorable character for me to this day. It's a shame he is gone. He'd have made a difference.
- Frank McCoy
If you can't wait until this time every Wednesday to get your Art Shay fix, please check out the photographer's blog, which is updated regularly. Art Shay's book, Chicago's Nelson Algren, is also available at Amazon.