The Liberty Memorial Central Middle School community will celebrate the school’s 100th anniversary this weekend with an alumni choir performance, a journey down memory lane and more.
The LMCMS building has hosted Lawrence students since 1923, going through several changes to become the middle school it is today. A steering committee made up of volunteers, including former and current teachers, staff alumni and parents of alumni, worked together to plan its centennial celebration.
To kick off the celebration, there will be a program to rededicate the building’s World War I memorial and carry out school traditions by way of music. A special logo designed to commemorate the anniversary incorporates a poppy flower, which is the traditional symbol of World War I remembrance.
Ted Juneau, former LMCMS principal, will emcee the program. Former LMCMS choir directors Patricia Boyd and Kevin Hart will conduct the alumni choir, alongside the school’s current student choir, Excalibur. Additionally, former LMCMS band teacher Johannah Cox will conduct the New Horizons Band, a local group of musicians ages 50 and older, at the event.
Following the program, the school building will turn into an open house, displaying memorabilia, yearbooks and the building itself for folks to tour. Free refreshments will be provided.
Several alumni and former staff will be traveling back to Lawrence, bringing memorabilia and memories to share.
The celebration is scheduled for 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 12 at LMCMS, 1400 Massachusetts St. After the program with musical performances, the open house will run until 5 p.m. It’s free to attend.
The celebration also now has an online merch store. LMCMS 100-year celebration merchandise, including sweatshirts, mugs, stickers and more that have the special logo, can be purchased on River Rat Skate Shop’s website. The online shop is open now through 11:59 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 30.
Donations to the celebration can be made via the Lawrence Schools Foundation on its donation webpage, lawrenceschoolsfoundation.org/donation-form/. People can also donate via mail by sending cash or checks to Lawrence Schools Foundation at 110 McDonald Drive, Lawrence, KS 66044. Check memos should include “Liberty Memorial Building 100th Anniversary Celebration.”
Visit LMCMS’s 100-year celebration webpage for more information.
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Maya Hodison (she/her), equity reporter, can be reached at mhodison@lawrencekstimes.com. Read more of her work for the Times here. Check out her staff bio here.
