School Commemorates Its Centennial - Fort Worth, TX

E.M. Daggett Elementary School in Fort Worth, Texas' historic district, celebrated 100 years bordering Ryan Place and Fairmount neighborhoods Sept. 29th.

The campus, located at 958 Page Avenue near where Gladney Center for Adoption used to stand, is comprised of four buildings, according to research. In 1914 the northeast wing was added by the Muller & Potter Firm in the same style and in 1932 with enrollment of 1,500 students, the principal Roy Fincher added a covered walkway and public address system. In the mid-80s, the library, gym, and new cafeteria addition replaced the covered walkway which had joined the North and South buildings, literature shows.

"For many of the Ryan Place, Fairmount, and South Hemphill Heights residents, E.M. Daggett Elementary holds fond memories of a gentler time in our lives," a press release stated.

A free student-centered celebration which took place today featured children forming a big 100 on the playground at dismissal to symbolize the years the school has been open. A giant inflatable birthday cake and red bear character also made up the festivities and the facility was featured on the local news. Students signed an enormous birthday card and a time capsule treasure chest was unveiled. A committee of alumni, interested citizens, parents, teachers, and staff worked for a year planning the event which involved contacting former students and displaying historical mementos and photos.

The school was named after Fort Worth's pioneers. The south building is two stories with a full basement, according to fortwortharchitecture.com and in 1988 construction connected all four of the buildings which were built during four different periods.

Grades at Daggett are pre-kindergarten through fifth grade and the school's special needs program is rated as excellent.

In unrelated event news, the annual Ol' Country's Boot Scootin' benefiting the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network will be held Oct. 17 again at the Amon Carter Jr. Exhibits Hall in the Stagecoach Room also in Fort Worth. (Source: Virginia Griffin).

For more information, see pancan.org/Volunteer/tx/fortw/index.html or email vgriffin@pancanvolunteer.org.

"If you are able to attend, you will meet others who are there because of their passion to change the future for others who are faced with pancreatic cancer," said Virginia Griffin, Volunteer Fort Worth Affiliate Coordinator who lost a brother, a niece, and several friends to the disease. "These are real people, with families who are impacted by pancreatic cancer. We have a wonderful affiliate with all who are doing whatever they can."

The organization meets on the third Saturday of the month at Cousin's Bar-B-Q, 5125 Bryant Irvin Road in town at noon.

The National Headquarters' phone number is 1-877-272-6226.

In other event news, there's a new way to fight back against breast cancer and save lives without even leaving the breakfast table.

Make Strides While Making Breakfast lets you host a breakfast at home or choose to meet friends at one of your favorite dining spots, states The American Cancer Society.

Once you've signed up online you'll get your own personal Web page and a Personal Participant Center with everything you need to raise money and start planning your meal.

For details, see http://www.cancer.org/docroot/PAR/Content/PAR_2_1_About_Make_Strides_While_Making_Bfast.asp.