Woodlawn Elementary School will soon mark its centennial with a North Lawrence block party-style celebration.
Live music, food trucks, a bouncy house and more fun in addition to an open house inside the school will recognize 100 years of the school’s existence.
Emily Boedeker, Woodlawn music teacher and 100-year anniversary planning committee co-chair, describes the school community as “strong, vibrant and supportive.” She’s almost reached her sixth year teaching as a Woodlawn Riverhawk.
“Especially like when we were in the midst of school closures, North Lawrence showed up and they were just such a bright spot in those uncertain times,” Boedeker said. “Really when I think about Woodlawn, I think about that community feel and how really we just come together year after year for our kids. It’s a wonderful place to be.”
Woodlawn opened in 1890, originally under the name Fifth Ward School. Teachers petitioned to change the name to Woodlawn because the building was surrounded by a wooded lawn hosting elm, birch and walnut trees, according to the Lawrence school district’s website. After the original building burned to the ground in 1923, the current school was built in 1924.
Liberty Memorial Central Middle School in November celebrated its centennial, which Boedeker said is fitting, given that Woodlawn is its feeder school.
“And now it’s our turn,” she said.
During the celebration, visitors can time travel through artifacts, old newspaper articles, past class photos, student work and more inside the school. Returners might reminisce, while newcomers might glean some local history.
“We want to celebrate and honor the past of what this building has been to the North Lawrence community,” Boedeker said. “But then we also want to celebrate our kids who are here today. We want to make sure this place is around for the next 100 for everyone.”
Woodlawn recently hosted a 100-year anniversary T-shirt design contest, and the student body voted for fourth grader Bridgette Rowlett’s design. The Parent Teacher Organization along with North Lawrence-based River Rat Skate Shop teamed up to gift every student with a free T-shirt with the special logo on it this week, according to Boedeker.
Boedeker said she anticipates lots of alumni will join the celebration as several still live in the North Lawrence community and the committee has been working diligently on outreach ahead of the big day.
While preparing to soak up the milestone, the planning committee discussed ways to also invest in students’ futures. So they created the Woodlawn Inspiring the Next Generation (W.I.N.G.) Scholarship in which they hope to award two Woodlawn alumni graduating from either Lawrence high school every year with. The fund is meant to support their next steps, whether they’re planning for college, trade school, the workforce or other avenues.
“We were joking that we’re gonna have to have one of our new kindergarteners present the scholarship to a senior, and there won’t be a dry eye in the house,” Boedeker said.
Woodlawn’s 100-year anniversary celebration is scheduled for 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, May 18 at Woodlawn, 508 Elm St. The party will be extended out into the street, which will be blocked off. It’s free to attend.
Alumni and families are encouraged to submit their favorite Woodlawn photos and stories via the 100 year anniversary website, woodlawn100.org/histories.
Donations to the W.I.N.G. scholarship fund can be made online through the Lawrence Schools Foundation by choosing an amount and designating it to “W.I.N.G. Woodlawn Elementary Scholarship.” Check donations can also be made through the Lawrence Schools Foundation, 110 McDonald Drive, Lawrence, KS 66044, with “WING Scholarship” written in the memo line.
The committee is also asking for volunteers. Boedeker said anyone interested in being room monitors, keeping an eye on the bouncy house and helping with other small tasks during the celebration can email her at eboedeke@usd497.org for more information.
Learn more and check out digital archives on the Woodlawn 100-year anniversary celebration website, woodlawn100.org.
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Maya Hodison (she/her), equity reporter, can be reached at mhodison (at) lawrencekstimes (dot) com. Read more of her work for the Times here. Check out her staff bio here.
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