Lincoln School Planning 25th Anniversary Program

Lincoln School Planning 25th Anniversary Program

WILLIS — Nearly 2,000 persons are expected to take part in 25th anniversary ceremonies at Lincoln Consolidated School here this week-end.

The two-day program of events—Saturday, Nov. 19, and Sunday, Nov. 20—will include addresses by Lincoln’s first superintendent, Dr. H. A. Tape, now president of Northern Michigan Teachers College, and Dr. M. S. Pittman, president-emeritus of Georgia State Teachers College; a historical pageant by Lincoln students; and social hours for students, faculty members and guests.

Events on Saturday, designated as "Founders’ Day," will start at 2 o’clock in the school auditorium. O. E. Vedder, one of the first members of the Lincoln Board of Education, will preside over the program.

Chorus Will Sing

Invocation will be read by Rev. William R. Shaw of Ypsilanti, and group singing will be led by the Lincoln Community Chorus.

Speeches by Michigan Normal College professor-emeritus F. B. McKay, Mrs. Murray Day, sr., an original board member, and student council president Kay Cullin of the elementary council and Richard Laing of the high school council will follow.

Dr. Pittman, featured speaker on the Saturday program, will discuss the history of the idea of consolidated schools in an address entitled “Then Was But the Beginning."

Tea and a social hour in the Lincoln girls' playroom are scheduled to follow the auditorium events.

The superintendent of Lincoln School, Ben H. VandenBelt, will open an evening program in the auditorium at 8 o’clock Saturday night. Musical selections by the school orchestra, under the direction of John Elwell, are to follow Mr. VandenBelt’s introductory address.

Pageant Scheduled

A historical pageant in eight acts will conclude the formal auditorium program.

Dr. Tape’s address will highlight a Sunday dedicatory program, scheduled to begin at 2:30 in the school auditorium.

Sunday’s invocation will be read by Rev. Smallwood of Ypsilanti, followed by selections from the school band.

J. H. Turnbull, Lincoln teacher, will pay tribute to former school board members in an address; board president Earl J. Wright will honor past faculty members; teacher Ethel O’Conner will present corsages to a dozen surviving first faculty members; and school supporters will be paid tribute by another Lincoln teacher, Leela L. Laing.

Dr. Tape then will deliver his address, "The Lincoln Consolidated School, Its Infancy and Childhood.”

Vocal selections and tea in cafeteria will complete the birthday program.