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Murray High salutes former, current faculty in Centennial Celebration

Feb 27, 2017 02:27PM ● By Julie Slama

Murray High School Dance Company, shown here, will pay tribute to the school’s centennial, chronicling its history during a 20-minute piece to be performed in April. (Sarah Young/Sodabee Photography)

By Julie Slama | [email protected]
 
It’s a chance to mingle and catch up as Murray High School welcomes current and former faculty to a centennial reunion in May.
 
The event will be held from 5 to 7 p.m., Thursday, May 25 in Murray High School’s commons at 5440 S. State St.  There will be yearbooks and memorabilia on display.
 
“We’ve honored our early graduating classes and administrators, but this is a chance for current students and alumni to see their teachers in an informal setting,” said Murray High teacher Leesa Lloyd, who is coordinating the event.  “We know many generations of families have been taught by these dedicated faculty members and we want them to be recognized.”
 
Lloyd, who has taught at Murray High for 31 years, said that she especially welcomes faculty who may have taught in the 1940s and 1950s.
 
“We’d love to hear from those who taught in the original building or may have taught here the longest. Murray is unique. Many students who graduated and left, come back here to Murray to raise their families and attend Murray schools. Our community is really family-orientated and there’s a real connection,” she said.
 
Principal John Goldhardt said that this gives the current Murray High students and faculty a way of showing their appreciation.
 
“It’s a way for us to connect with our community and celebrate 100 years of education and learning,” he said.  “It’s a way of recognizing what early educators gave to this community.”
 
Following the informal reception, Murray faculty is invited to the end-of-the-year program, Spartan Spectacular, which will be held in the gymnasium.
 
“We honor our performing groups one last time as well as our spring athletic teams.  We also introduce next year’s student body officers.  At the Spartan Spec, we will take a minute to recognize our former teachers who have made a great impact on Murray students,” she said.
 
The Dance Company also will pay tribute to the school’s centennial, chronicling its history during a 20-minute piece that will incorporate different dance styles and social issues while projecting slides of Murray High students through the years taken from yearbooks.   The “Centennial Suite” and other numbers will be performed in the spring performance at 7 p.m., Thursday, April 20 and Friday, April 21 in the school auditorium.
 
“We’ve had great traditions for decades and decades,” she said.
 
A grand Centennial Ball will take place at 7 p.m., Friday, May 26 at the state capitol as the final event of the year-long centennial celebration.
 
“We decided to hold it at the state capitol, which also is celebrating its 100th year,” Goldhardt said.  “We plan to have music from every decade and it’s up to our guests if they’d like to come in formal attire or period dress.”
 
Goldhardt said that all students, alumni and current and former faculty are invited to attend the event, which will have a birthday cake for the school.  Ticket information can be obtained by calling the school at 801-264-7460.