The old jukebox stood in a corner of the Langley High School cafeteria, collecting dust.
The family of Amy Edgerton, a former honors student who died in a drunken-driving accident a month after graduating in 1987, had collected her records and made the jukebox out of them. Students used the jukebox, listening to artists like the Police and the Clash, until it broke in the 1990s and was forgotten.
That is, until soon-to-be Langley graduate William Maloney noticed a dedication plaque for Amy on the cafeteria wall.
The 18-year-old said he first noticed the jukebox during his freshman year, but never though twice about it until a 1987 Langley graduate mentioned the jukebox to Maloney’s mom. Maloney decided to investigate.
“It was a shame that it had been unused and broken like that,” Maloney said. “I was kind of touched by it and I thought it needed a better ending.”
Weeks of research, fundraising and restoration ensued.
Maloney began by approaching school administrative groups for funding.
“There were some people who did share my interest, but they just said, ‘Nice idea, but sorry,’ ” Maloney said.
Langley’s principal, Matthew Ragone, promised he would match any funds that Maloney raised.
Maloney asked his fellow students for donations. Most turned in a coin or two. One gave Maloney about $40 in quarters, he said. The entire operation cost a couple hundred dollars.
Maloney found a professional jukebox repairman named Pinball Paul who specialized in the type of jukebox Langley had.
“When we went over budget, [our principal] took care of the rest of it,” Maloney said. “It was a generous and unexpected move by him.”
Two days of repair work and disc-sorting later, the restoration was complete. Maloney contacted Edgerton’s parents and told them about his project.
Amy Edgerton’s brother Andrew said he was shocked. “This kid had no idea who my sister was at all,” Edgerton said. “All he knew was that there was a plaque on the wall. It was heartwarming that he went and did the research.”
Maloney held a rededication ceremony May 27 at the high school.
“I was able to tell Amy’s mom that her friends still remember her and haven’t forgotten her,” said James Meek, a classmate of Amy’s who attended the ceremony. “This was a tribute to an old friend and classmate.”
Now, students play ’80s tunes from the jukebox during their lunch hour.
“Will has initiative and motivation, things a lot of people don’t have,” Meek said. “He handled it like a compassionate, decent guy. We all appreciated it enormously.”
