By Johnson H.R. No. 276 74R6813 BNL-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The citizens of Nacogdoches will mark a momentous 1-2 occasion in the history of their community when they celebrate the 1-3 40th anniversary of Fredonia Elementary School during the week of 1-4 February 27-March 3, 1995; and 1-5 WHEREAS, This fine school first opened its doors in January 1-6 1954, after parents in the area circulated a petition asking that 1-7 an elementary school be built in the Fredonia Street area; 1-8 constructed on the site of the legendary Fredonian Rebellion, the 1-9 school had an initial enrollment of 540 students, and although that 1-10 figure eventually climbed to a record high of 800 students in 1973, 1-11 enrollment has now stabilized at 450 students; and 1-12 WHEREAS, Fredonia Elementary School was established under the 1-13 direction of the 1954 Nacogdoches Independent School District Board 1-14 of Trustees, which included President John C. Crawford, Vice 1-15 President Trammell C. Lacey, Secretary Milton Gray, Superintendent 1-16 B. A. Copass, Mrs. T. G. Tilford, Mrs. C. B. Davis, Charles W. 1-17 Morgan, and V. C. Cuthrell; Lois Stripling had the honor of serving 1-18 her peers as the school's first student body president; and 1-19 WHEREAS, During its rich 40-year history, the school has been 1-20 guided by only two principals; Charles A. Sullivan held that office 1-21 from the school's opening until his retirement in 1972, when 1-22 Principal Don Wyatt ably assumed his responsibilities; and 1-23 WHEREAS, Mr. Sullivan established the school's high standards 1-24 of education and community involvement with the help of Norma 2-1 Newberry, the school's first secretary, and a faculty and staff 2-2 that included Billie R. Aldridge, Norine Carnes, Rosalee M. 2-3 Curtis, Effie C. Fowler, Lorean H. Kendrick, Eddie Mae King, 2-4 Earlene S. Loden, Rowena Lowery, Grace B. Nations, Pauline F. Pate, 2-5 Etta Patton, Helen Phillips, Gertrude N. Powers, Lorene H. Rector, 2-6 Audrey O. Rulfs, Retha Sandal, Frances Zera Sitton, Marie Sitton, 2-7 Shirley W. Stone, and Ruby F. Tannery; and 2-8 WHEREAS, Anniversary festivities will coincide with the 2-9 observance of Texas Public Schools Week, and the school will 2-10 celebrate these two noteworthy occasions with special guests, 2-11 presentations, and performances; past students will speak to the 2-12 children about career opportunities and the school's history, while 2-13 a photographic display, a musical performance, and a humorous skit 2-14 will give today's students a look at life in the 1950s, when the 2-15 school was founded; and 2-16 WHEREAS, Students and teachers will show their school spirit 2-17 by dressing up on different days in 1950s-era clothing, in the 2-18 school colors of blue and white, and in the district's colors of 2-19 black and gold; and 2-20 WHEREAS, For the past four decades, Fredonia Elementary 2-21 School has done an outstanding job of educating the young people of 2-22 Nacogdoches and preparing them for bright and prosperous futures, 2-23 and the energy and enthusiasm demonstrated by the current faculty 2-24 and students are a clear indication that this distinguished school 2-25 will continue that mission for many years to come; now, therefore, 2-26 be it 2-27 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas 3-1 Legislature hereby commemorate the 40th anniversary of Fredonia 3-2 Elementary School and extend to its students, faculty, parents, and 3-3 alumni warmest best wishes for many more years of continued 3-4 success; and, be it further 3-5 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 3-6 prepared for Fredonia Elementary School as an expression of high 3-7 regard by the Texas House of Representatives.