When Scott White returned to the county where he was born and raised and announced plans to resurrect the crumbling Fox Theatre in Centralia, he was met with no shortage of doubters and cynics.
Many expected the effort would rise and fall on the same trajectory as past plans, fueled early on by enthusiasm before eventually being done in by a lack of finances and sustained volunteerism.
In the years since White formed the Historic Fox Theatre Restorations, there have been many occasions when the Adna native could have proved the detractors right.
There have been times when finances have dwindled, when the staggering volume of work before him and a dedicated team of volunteers could have been identified as an insurmountable reason to call off his plans.
Instead — as those who have followed White’s story know well — he doubled down and persevered, presenting a glittering, neon monument to the possibilities of downtown Centralia.
For his efforts, he will be honored with a prestigious Washington State Jefferson Award for Public Service, an accolade presented only three times before to residents of Lewis County.
“Not only has his work revived the arts and culture scene in Centralia, but it has acted as a catalyst for local economic revitalization — spurring new businesses to open in the city center,” a Seattle CityClub biography on the Jefferson Awards website stated.
White embodies the spirit of the Jefferson Awards, which are considered by many to be “the Nobel Prize” for civic involvement across the nation.
His passion has driven the renaissance of the Fox Theatre, which now shows two movies a month inside its historic walls.
White has led the fundraising efforts for a new marquee, a fully renovated mezzanine and many other improvements for the towering structure.
His greatest accomplishment, though, seems to be his innate ability to draw others to his cause.
The nonprofit that guides the improvements at the theater is filled with individuals who share White’s addictive devotion and affection for the Fox Theatre.
Stop in for a screening, and you will be politely encountered by dozens of volunteers seeking to recruit others for the cause.
The work that remains will be no easy endeavor, as White has said in the past. His lofty dreams include restoring the facility to its peak glory. That will take more fundraising and more dedicated volunteers.
With White at the helm, we’re confident in the future of the Fox Theatre.
Congratulations to Scott White and all the men and women who now share his inspiring vision for a local landmark.
