In conversation with Mr. Joachim Scholz - September 2023

The current mayor of the municipality of Schöntal is certain that the stable foundation that was built for him at the Schloss-Schule has played a decisive role in his professional and personal development. The values and foundations that were created and taught in Kirchberg have enabled him to emerge stronger from crises and defeats to this day and never give up. This year marks the 40th anniversary of his graduation. He still maintains close friendships from his time at the Schloss-Schule, for which he is very grateful.

What is the first thing that spontaneously comes to mind when you think of your time at the Schloss-Schule?
Lifelong friendships! I was at the Schloss-Schule from 1974-1983 and still have good contact with my former classmates and many friendships still exist today. The beautiful Jagst Valley also immediately comes to mind. Especially in the fall, when the leaves on the trees change color, Kirchberg is really wonderful. The Ockenauer Steg is also very much in my mind. My morning run before the start of lessons always took me over the footbridge. People like the teacher Ernst Müller and "Bo" also quickly come back to my memory. These were very influential people for me. "Bo" was extremely straightforward, communicated clearly and was unambiguous in his actions. Through his behavior, he offered us adolescents great guidance. He was also an overwhelming rhetorician from whom I learned a lot in my professional context, especially in my role as mayor.
The teacher Margit Steiner is still with me to this day. I always leave the house with polished shoes and not without a handkerchief. (he smiles and takes a freshly ironed handkerchief out of his trouser pocket)
Ernst Müller welcomed the children, including me, in such a way that the children immediately felt welcome and the parents knew that their children were in the best of hands.
For me, as a native of Stuttgart, the Schloss-Schule was always a place where I felt comfortable, where the air was good and where I felt at home.

What schooling did you have before Schloss-Schule?
I attended Lerchenrain Primary School in Stuttgart Heslach. I also had a good time there and had great teachers. I was a child of divorce at the time and I had the feeling that people were looking out for me. I felt protected here.
At first, there were no plans for me to go to Kirchberg straight after elementary school. I attended the grammar school in Stuttgart for one day and after that day it was already clear that I wasn't going to stay here. So I came straight to Kirchberg.

What has changed for you in Kirchberg?
I immediately felt welcome and at home in Kirchberg. Looking back, I think I would have been lost at the other grammar school.

What did you find formative at the Schloss-Schule? What values, life lessons or other influences have stayed with you to this day?
I experienced camaraderie and "true" friendship here. This was really formative for me. When you get into an emergency situation in life and you're not doing well, you recognize the real friends - that's where the wheat is separated from the chaff. To give you a personal example - when my re-election as mayor of Neckarsulm didn't work out, friends were immediately there for me and accompanied me through this phase and gave me support. These included people who have been with me since Schloss-Schule.
We already had a great class group back then and we have been meeting up regularly since we graduated. The strong bond still exists today. We help each other and are there for each other.
The fact that so many different people lived together was definitely a formative experience. Both in terms of age, from Year 5 to Year 13, but also in terms of background. The most diverse social structures could be found here. This diversity taught us a lot about living together and dealing with each other.

What happened after Schloss-Schule?
After graduating from high school, I trained to become a graduate in public administration (FH). It quickly became clear to me that I wanted to take on an elective office and become mayor. My first position as mayor was for 12.5 years in Steinheim an der Murr. I was then Lord Mayor of Neckarsulm from 2008 to 2016. I then founded a consulting firm and was self-employed. And since August 1, 2020, I've been mayor of Schöntal.

What stories and anecdotes from your time at the school should definitely not be forgotten?
I can think of lots of stories, including some that we can't write down here (he smiles)
Sometimes we secretly went to the potato cellar and took potatoes with us. We would then take them to the Jagst in the evening, build a fire and grill them. Of course, we also drank a beer or two.
Something that was really memorable from today's perspective was an evening excursion. We were in 6th grade and our teacher at the time took us to the pub in Kirchberg and had a beer with us. By the time we got back to school from this outing, word had spread about the event. The teacher had to leave immediately.
I also have vivid memories of our Latin teacher at the time, who was always fond of alcohol. The first two lessons often didn't take place if there had been music practice the evening before. Even after the lunch break, Latin lessons were usually not held as planned.
And then we had a teacher who was extremely tidy and clean. His Mercedes S-Class looked like new and this vehicle was cherished and cared for. When one day a pupil left his cocoa on the roof of the car, it felt like it only took seconds before he got his lesson for it and probably never repeated it. Those were simply very different times - today, of course, it's unimaginable.

What are you grateful for?
I am very grateful to the teachers and educators at the school at the time. They gave me a stable foundation on which I could build after my school days. The foundations for the rest of my life were largely laid at the Schloss-Schule. As a result, I still have a deep connection with Kirchberg today. I had and still have a good path in life and I am very grateful for that. Mr. Mikenda, who I had in my sports lessons, taught me through his way of teaching and dealing with us that you can't always win. But if you lose, it's crucial that you keep going afterwards and that you get up again and carry on.

Looking back on your time at school, what would you do differently today?
From today's perspective, I wouldn't do anything differently. Everything was right the way it was. I'm not a person who looks back with regret. The important thing, and I still practice this today, is to stand by what you have decided and how you have acted and to take responsibility for it.

What else would you like to say? And what is important to you in relation to your role in the Schloss-Schul-Verein?
For me, it is very important that we intensify the cohesion among the former pupils through our work in the association. It is also very important to me that current students can be supported with scholarships and that we have a functioning network. This will hopefully enable more internships to be arranged in future, apprenticeships to be filled and profitable exchanges to take place across sectors and countries in a very uncomplicated way. What is also important to me personally is that the memories and history of the school are not lost and that they are brought back to life and kept alive through the joint work of the association and the school.