Lincoln Students Celebrate Birth Of School's Namesake
Posted
David Slone-dslone@timesuniononline.com
On Lincoln Street Thursday, Lincoln Elementary School students celebrated the 200th birthday of 16th U.S. President Abraham Lincoln.
The celebration included songs, facts about Lincoln, guest speaker Ken Locke and birthday cake for everyone.
Four Scouts kicked off the afternoon by leading the school in the Pledge of Allegiance. Cindy Coppes then gave the students facts about Lincoln, including the fact that the school is the only building in Kosciusko County that bears Lincoln's name.Principal Cathy Snyder told the students about the cake waiting for them in the cafeteria, and about the Lincoln Museum that Janice Torrance's students made in two display cases. She also thanked Medtronic, Lincoln Elementary School's business partner, for the many things they do for the school.
Margaret Whitley encouraged the students to bring their pennies and other coins in for the school's penny pitch. The money will be used to purchase books for the school. The Thaddeus Kosiuszko Sons of the American Revolution Chapter will match the money raised by the students. The class in grades kindergarten through third grade, and grades four through six that collect the most amount of money now through Feb. 20 will have an ice cream party.
Students from Holly Grossman's class recited the full text of the Gettysburg Address. First-graders then presented a reader's theater and sang a song. Sharon Gallagher's students also sang.
Torrance's class gave a brief presentation on their "museum."
Locke, on behalf of the Kosiuszko Chapter of the SAR, presented two books on Abraham Lincoln to the school library, including "Abraham Lincoln from Pioneer to President" and "If You Grew Up with Abraham Lincoln." Along with his granddaughter, Locke then presented the elementary with a 34-star American replica flag that would have been flown during the height of the Civil War when Lincoln was president.
He also told everyone that the 200th birthday card, signed by Lincoln Elementary students, will be sent to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library in Springfield, Ill.
After students in grades kindergarten through third grade left for cake, Locke then spoke to the upper grades about four things they could learn from Abraham Lincoln. Those things include character counts, read to succeed, all people are created equal and that they are free to be the best they can be.
"If you work hard, you read, you study, you treat people right, then you can be whatever you want to be," Locke said.
After the celebration, fourth-graders from Torrance's class spoke about what makes Lincoln an important historical figure.
"He was a really great person. He helped bring us together," said Kyle Harter.
Mallory Hooks said, "I really like Lincoln because when he wanted to do something, he put his mind to it and did it."
"I think he was a really great president because he brought our country together," said Abby Creekmore.
"I read in a book that when he was young, he would stand on stumps and talk to people," Cole Hoskins said. "When he was young, he almost always had an ax with him."
"I like that he read," said Jenna Elliott, "and even though he was poor, he became one of the greatest presidents we ever had."
"I think he was the best president because he saved thousands and thousands of slaves," said Jared Wolf.
Kyle Christenberry said, "He is a really good president to learn about if you're looking for a person who creates change because he did."
"I like him because once he walked five miles to give a woman 2 cents back because she paid him too much," said Claire Hubner.
"I think he was just an overall great poet," said Trevor Durgin, "and I like most of his quotes."
