BY LARRY HLAVENKA JR.
Staff Writer

In 1955, Howell opened a new elementary school to cultivate the minds of the community's young residents.

A half-century has since passed and the Southard School, Kent Road, remains a haven for intellectual growth. During the week of May 8-12, the school celebrated its 50th anniversary.

On May 8, Principal Drew Smith kicked off the festivities by leading a ribbon-cutting ceremony that renamed Van Lane to Stallion Way to represent the school's mascot.

At that evening's Lakewood BlueClaws baseball game, the Southard School's fifth-grade chorus sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" and led the crowd in singing happy birthday to the school.

Throughout the week, the school celebrated its five decades in a variety of ways, including a laser light show, concerts and themed dress.

At the culminating ceremony on May 12, the students wore their red and black school colors and welcomed back former administrators, teachers and students during a massive celebration.

PHOTOS BY CHRIS KELLY staff Clockwise from top left - Former teacher, supervisor and principal Ruth Newman speaks during a special assembly to mark the Southard School's 50 years of service to the children of Howell. In celebration of its 50th anniversary, the Southard School held a special cultural arts laser light show for students on May 10. Faculty members at the Southard School sing the Beatles song "Birthday." The space shuttle is seen during the laser light show. Smith reveled in the opportunity to preside over the anniversary celebration.

"Think of what our country has gone through since 1955," he said. "It's a great responsibility, but one we accept with great pleasure. We needed to make sure this was done as properly as possible to celebrate the kids and teachers at Southard."

Smith described the extensive effort the celebration presented.

"We've been planning this since September, but we had to wait until the end of the year so testing was out of the way," he said.

Smith thanked Vice Principal Marlene Brown, who helped coordinate the events.

"She was instrumental in this," he said.

Smith hoped to bring a sense of history and tradition to the event, as it was decided to invite every teacher and administrator who ever stepped foot on the grounds.

The task proved daunting.

"You can't imagine the planning," he said. "It's been exhaustive trying to find people. We've heard names of these people, but we have never met them."

Although the task was difficult, Smith said that "it was exciting."

All of the effort paid off on May 12, as almost 80 former faculty members

attended the celebration.

Smith said he believes the celebration energized the current faculty.

"They feel the buzz," he said. "Seeing some old faces and old friends is great."

Among the events at the celebration, various "I-movies" were shown to connect the histories of the United States and Southard School. Media Assistant Heidi Hersh prepared the documentaries.

CHRISKELLY staff Mindy Sovern (c), who has worked in the Howell school district for 28 years, is delighted to see old friends at the Southard School's 50th birthday celebration. During another movie presentation, Smith mocked investigative journalist Geraldo Rivera as he unearthed what was believed to be a time capsule buried underneath the cornerstone of the building.

Much to Smith's surprise, the cornerstone did not have any trinkets from the past. However, the principal took it in stride and told the children not to worry, that surprises are a part of life.

For posterity, the current class did bury a capsule, unlike its 1955 counterpart. In it, students left surveys of favorite items (including cars and foods), report cards and test preparation materials.

With Mayor Joseph DiBella, state Sen. Robert Singer and Superintendent of Schools Enid Golden in attendance, seven students read essays on what Southard means to them.

Golden reflected on the event.

"It's a great way for our students to realize how they are a part of history," she said. "It shows them they are part of something bigger. There's been a lot of good lessons taught during the week. It's an exciting time."

The ceremony concluded with the principal and a group of teachers wheeling out a gigantic construction-paper birthday cake. The group then performed its rendition of the Beatles song "Birthday" and danced to the delight of their students.

In the end, Smith was pleased with the celebration and its significance.

"We had been planning this for a while," he said. "It's a source of pride for the community and the great levels we have achieved for so long."

Smith hoped the future would be as prosperous.

"To look forward to the next 50 years of excellence, I want to let the kids know they can always come home," he said.

In closing, he said, "this is a great memory for the kids."