January 27, 2023
The Flaming Flashes Forever Studio was dedicated Thursday evening in memory of Dr. Mary Jane Vance who once served as the director of this historic group. Named after Dr. Vance’s book, Flaming Flashes Forever, the studio was made possible with a grant from the Greenville Educational Enrichment Foundation (GEEF).
Members of the Vance family, current and former Flaming Flashes, GISD administration, GEEF board members and many friends and family were present to view the studio and newly installed mirrors.
Julia Gibson was the oldest Flaming Flash in attendance, and she enjoyed sharing fond memories of her time as a Flash in the early 1950s.
Flaming Flash roots run deep for another family in attendance, known for four generations of Flaming Flashes. Evelyn Moudy Routh was a member of the Flaming Flashes, then a drum and bugle corps, under the direction of Gussie Nell Davis from 1936–1938. Her daughter, Judy Routh Tarpley, who brought a picture of her mother to share, was a Flaming Flash from 1964-1966, Evelyn’s granddaughter Amy Tarpley Wade from 1986-1988 and great-granddaughter Jacey Wade Powell from 2015-2017.
Flaming Flash Director Heather Prather shared how grateful and honored she is to have a place for her girls to practice and improve.
“The generous donation made by the GEEF foundation in Dr. Vance’s name not only made our studio dreams come true but also enabled the Flashes to have a practice space they can call home,” Prather said. “It is our hope that the Flashes Forever Studio will serve numerous team members for many years to come.”
