By MAGGIE MCMURRAY
Moapa Valley Progress
In the midst of the hubbub and chaos of students, classes, bells, schedules, and sporting events, there is a quiet place of reflection on the Moapa Valley High School campus. The Raymond Doty Memorial Rose Garden, located in the northeast corner of the quad was dedicated in memory of beloved faculty member, Raymond Doty, who died in 1996.
Doty taught at MVHS for 35 years, spending much of that time as a US Government teacher and 9 years of it as the dean. After his death, then fellow teacher Maggie Genseal wanted a way to honor his service to the community and the school. Thus, the idea of establishing a memorial garden at the school was born.
Genseal got donations for the original plants, one of which was a pomegranate tree in specific memory of Doty. Doty was known for his large orchard of pomegranate trees. Students also chipped in and helped. Then Student Body President McKay Whitney found the large boulder that is now in the garden. He loaded it onto a little trailer and pulled it to the school with his truck.
“My daughter, Sunny, can vividly remember seeing McKay bringing that boulder to the school,” said Julie Doty, Raymond’s daughter-in-law. “She said it took quite a few boys to get it out of the trailer and put it in its current location!”
Since its dedication, the rose garden has become home to several more memorials of students and teachers who have died while at Moapa Valley High School. Most recently, a memorial was placed to remember MVHS teacher and coach Brent May, who passed away in 2015. It has also become home to the school’s traditional victory bell.
“The rose garden is really a treasure to Moapa Valley High School,” said MVHS principal Hal Mortensen.
“It is a beautiful and peaceful place to visit and to spend time reflecting. It is also a way for students, teachers, and community members to remember their much-loved friends and family who have passed on.”
Although most people are aware of the garden, many are not aware of how it is kept up and refurbished and replanted every year. Since the garden was originally established to remember Raymond Doty, the Doty family, now under the direction of Julie Doty, has taken upon themselves the yearly care of the garden.
“Every year on President’s Day we gather as a family and go up to the high school to refurbish the garden for another year,” said Julie Doty. “We pull out any dead plants and replant and renew the garden. This year my son Colton Doty sanded down and repainted the victory bell.”
The garden is a labor of love for the family, all of whom feel strong ties to MVHS. Raymond and his wife, Louise, both graduated from MVHS, as did his son, Guy, and his wife, Julie. Guy even served as Student Body President during his time at the school. All eight of Guy and Julie’s children have also graduated from MVHS.
“Our kids come from all over to help take care of the garden,” Julie said. “Our grandkids ask to see it when they come visit. We do it because of the ties we have to that garden. We’re very attached to it and it means a lot to us.”
Although the garden is beautiful, plans are in motion to make it even better. Mortensen explained that this summer a shade structure is expected to be built over the garden as part of an Eagle Scout project.
Also, although all the plants and supplies to refurbish the garden every year are purchased and supplied by the Doty family, they would love to see benches placed back around the garden. The original benches succumbed to the weather several years ago and have not been replaced because of cost.
“It is such a peaceful place and I think the kids would like to have a place to sit and enjoy it,” Doty said. “I feel that it is a special place for students, too.”
Anyone who feels a tie to the garden and would like to help with its upkeep is welcome to join the Doty family every President’s day. Anyone who is interested in donating benches or contributing towards their purchase can contact the school at 702-397-2611.
