by Doris Lessenden

Last Monday on the 23^rd there was an awesome, tremendously inspiring Eads School Assembly at EHS to honor children in the 4^th, 5^th, 6^th and 7^th grades who were responsible for earning the National Title I Distinguished School award to the school through the testing program from in which they had the highest scores.  These Eads students and their teachers were honored with a pizza lunch with several dignitaries who came from the Colorado State Department of Education in Denver.  They highly congratulated the students and teachers.  They also commended the School Board members in attendance as well as parents and community supporters of whom there were many there.  Third Grade teacher, Mrs. Charlene Gifford, told Superintendent Glenn Smith, “We should make this a celebration.”  So Mr. Smith replied, “Would you take care of that?”   As an observer, I can assure you that were indeed wonderful with lots of balloons, decorated cakes, reserved seating for the four classes who were ushered in one by one, and a panel of honored guests from Denver and local teachers who worked with the program.  Those educators were Mrs. LaDawn Britten, Mrs. Sue Fox, and Mrs. Carole Spady.  While the Doctor of Education explained how momentous this award was, she said, “We want to give your school a monetary reward.”  When she asked, “How do you feel about $100.00?  There was polite clapping.  When she asked, “Well, how about $1,000.00?” then there was a lot of applause.  But when she said, “That is not enough, we have a check for $10,000.00!” then where was a lot of whooping and hollering and much clapping of joy.  At that point selected children entered the gym carrying a huge replica of a check and a big banner proclaiming, “Eads is a “National Distinguished School”.  At this point the adults, children, and youth were on their feet.  Mrs. Lorraine Saffer, CEO of the BOCES was on hand with a large plant and giving cheerful congratulations to the students and faculty of the Eads Schools.

Loy and Betty (Harrison) Jones, EHS Alumni of the Classes of ’57 and ’56, drove all the way down from Colorado Springs to attend the assembly.  We appreciate alumni who continue to support our school.  Remember that there will be an All School Reunion planning meeting Feb. 12, at the Abstract Office.  Please feel at ease to come because the committee would like new ideas and volunteers for our September 2017 reunion.

Nick Eder’s wife, Braylynn (Peck) gave birth to a baby girl Thursday the 26^th.  Her name is Teller Scott Eder.  Her older sister, Peyton, and brother, Liam, welcomed her to their home too.

It was good to see former Colorado State House of Representative, Elwood Gillis, at the Eads-Wiley basketball game.  He was there to watch his grandson play on the Wiley team.   Mr. Gillis asked me to sing at the Colorado House of Representatives’ Inauguration Day three different years.  That was memorable for me because each of those years I could invite some of our students to attend the State Capital celebration with Aubrey and Betty Shotton and me.

On Tuesday and Thursday mornings at the ECU coffee hours, we have such wonderful desserts.  We usually find out that they were made by Shoni McKnight.  I know Johnny and Clara Uhland would be so proud of their granddaughter.

Joe Hasse and Ally Spady, Eads Eight graders, are to be congratulated as Second and Third place winners in the District VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars” writing contest.  VFW Secretary, Areta Blooding Laird, conferred with teachers, Mrs. Kelly Courkamp and Mrs. Stephanie Bohlander whose 19 students wrote really fine essays on the topic, “The America I Believe In” which were read by a large committee.

A new man moved to town last fall to live in the former home owned by the Hallman family of Missouri and last lived in by the Dotson family now in Florida.  For those who have moved away from Eads, this distinctive house was referred by the youth for many years as the “haunted house”.  During the war years, it was the WPA home for young women to live in so they could have jobs in town.  I remember several of those dear ladies who have passed this life now.  What I want you to know about this nice man whom I haven’t had the pleasure to meet yet, are that he is an artist and a video producer.  He has made a marvelous show about Eads and it has many photos of happenings and of people about town from last year.

We are sad to hear that Ruthie Esgar of Wiley died in her home last Thursday morning.  She was the owner of the Betty Ann’s Gift shop in Lamar.  I remember that Sandie Kelley and my late niece, Deana Griswould, liked to shop there where a shopper could get especially elegantly wrapped gifts from her shop.

I always like to go to the annual Eads Wrestling Tournament to watch.  Hayden Uhland is the Head Coach this year assisted by Justin Lenox.  There were huge colored photo banners of our wrestlers, Ben Splitter (who co-ops with our team from Plainview),

Rhett Uhland, Chance Fowler, and Trevor Randel.  The six cheerleaders, Duff Jensen, Molly Stolzenberger, Morgyn Johnson, Madison Kelley,  Reagan Johnson, and Kelly Ramos, were on hand to cheer and to present flowers to the wrestlers for the Parent Recognition time.  Thanks to Mrs. Dawn James who helped with that part of the program.

Becky (Mitchell) Pointon, formerly of Haswell, was at the Wrestling Tournament to watch her Wiley grandson, wrestle.  He is the son of Jordon Wollert who works at the Eads Co-Op.  Becky was recently widowed so it was nice to get to visit with my student from the class of  1970.