Rock Bridge choir show to benefit crash victim

John Dennison said most of his high school career was consumed by choir practice and school musicals. So when Dennison was badly injured in a car accident on Feb. 6, the choir decided to host a benefit for its former member to offset the costs of his recovery.

“John was always very high-spirited and very active (in the choir),” Rock Bridge choir director Mike Pierson said.

It was the night of Super Bowl Sunday, and as the Seahawks were packing their bags for the trip back to Seattle, Dennison was getting into his Honda Prelude to drive to Indian Hills Community College in Ottumwa, Iowa. He had come home to Columbia for the weekend to watch the game at the home of his high school friend and college roommate, fellow Rock Bridge graduate Jason Lacey.

What happened later that night, Dennison doesn’t remember. His girlfriend, Taylor Pancoast, said that less than a mile from his school’s exit on U.S. 63, Dennison lost control of the vehicle and collided head-on with a semi-truck. Dennison sustained femur and neck injuries. Lacey, who was seated in the passenger side of the vehicle, sustained minor injuries to the face and forehead.

After being hospitalized, Dennison was transferred to a rehabilitation center, where he is undergoing physical therapy.

“He’s been really strong throughout this whole thing,” said Pancoast, a Rock Bridge choir member, of his recovery. “I’m really proud of him.”

Now, Pancoast and Pierson have the opportunity to offer more than just personal support.

The two have been working together with Rock Bridge’s Satin n’ Lace, an all-girls choir, and City Lights, a mixed pop and jazz ensemble in which Dennison formerly sang, to put together a benefit concert.

Pierson said that organizing the event seemed like a great way to help Dennison’s family, given the success of last year’s benefit show for the family of slain Columbia police Officer Molly Bowden.

Dennison said he’s grateful for the effort the school has put forth.

“It really made me glad that of all the benefits they could have chosen, they chose a choir member,” he said.

The event is expected to run about 45 minutes, and the City Lights performance will focus on the theme of flight and will feature a full set complete with pyrotechnics, Pierson said.

The show will begin at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Rock Bridge High School Performing Arts Center, 4303 S. Providence Road. Tickets will be $5, with additional donation baskets set up near the entrance.