"My dad, George E. Thompson, was the first music/band teacher at Desert when it was built. Our family moved to Edwards in 1953 when my father accepted a teaching position offered to him by Mel Curtis and we lived on base until 1971. He taught music at Desert until his death in 1978.

Dad wrote the alma mater in 1967. My graduating class, Class of ’67, was the first class to sing it at graduation. Also, we were the first class to graduate in the newly constructed multi-purpose building (Scorpitorium). Our class gift was the painted Scorpion on the cement in front of the multi-purpose building you see today.

Dad was a very dedicated teacher who not only was the high school band leader but also had the German band, the dance band, and the pep band. He was much beloved by the students in the band." — Cydney (Thompson) Dawson '67

Fun Fact: Desert’s fight song, On Wisconsin, was chosen by Mr. Thompson because he went to the University of Wisconsin.