Exchange Club of West Chester

BAYARD RUSTIN HIGH SCHOOL NEW FREEDOM SHRINE DEDICATION CEREMONY – ONE FOR THE HISTORY BOOKS

Bayard Rustin Shrine

ON APRIL 24, 2009, The Turks Head and West Chester Exchange Clubs together presented and dedicated the Bayard Rustin High School Freedom Shrine. The student assembly gathered in the school's auditorium for a ceremony opened by an Honor Guard presented by Sgt Kevin Heinle of the U.S. Marines, Thomas J. Dever, Flotilla Commander, West Chester Flotilla of the U.S. Coast Guard and Sgt Michael Whitney of the U.S. Air Force.

After our nation's colors were presented, student singers and band members performed a powerful rendition of the Star Spangled Banner. Master of Ceremonies Pete Adams, Exchange Club of West Chester's Americanism Committee Chairman, began the ceremony with an introduction of speakers and many thanks for all who contributed to the Freedom Shrine installation and its dedication ceremony, attendees and sponsors alike.

Speakers and guests of honor included the high school's principal Dr. Phyllis Simmons, Chester County Commissioner Terence Farrell, Exchange Club Mid-Atlantic District President Jack Barilla, Turks Head Exchange Club President Dave Nelson, National Exchange Club Past President Steve Douglas and West Chester Exchange Club President-Elect Lanny Lewis.

Prior to the ceremony, students were asked to write an essay about what the historical documents represented in the Freedom Shrine mean to them. Three essay writers were chosen to receive recognition for their efforts. Each of the three winners were presented with award certificates and a gift certificate to Baldwin's Book Barn (West Chester), generously donated by the historic book store.

The student essay winners, along with a student who produced a short film will be presenting their works to the Exchange Clubs of West Chester, Turks Head and Exton at an upcoming May 14th member meeting.

View photos of the ceremony.

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G. A. STETSON MIDDLE SCHOOL REDEDICATES FREEDOM SHRINE
DONATED BY WEST CHESTER EXCHANGE CLUB

West Chester, PA – On Monday, February 9th Stetson Middle School rededicated their Freedom Shrine wall with a ceremony attended by a host of local dignitaries, service clubs and West Chester Area School District officials. This celebration of America coincides with a momentous time when young Americans are enthusiastically taking an interest in the political process and in American history.

Stetson students
Stetson Middle School students

From left – Exchange Club officers and
members: President Tom Wilson, Ed
Kerollis, President-Elect Lanny Lewis and
Freedom Shrine Chairman Peter Adams

Killion
State Representative Tom Killion and Stetson Middle School Principal LeRoy Whitehead

Service Men
U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 0409 of
West Chester

McIlvane Smith
Representative Barbara McIlvaine-Smith

Stetson Pres
Exchange Club of West Chester President Tom Wilson is interviewed by Lloyd Roach of BrandywineRadio.com as Exchange Club member Dave Hensel looks on.

The Freedom Shrine is a permanent display of authentic reproductions of historic American documents that includes the Declaration of Independence, the United States Constitution, the Emancipation Proclamation, the Gettysburg Address, and more. The Freedom Shrine was donated by the West Chester Exchange Club to Stetson Middle School ten years ago. The rededication of the Stetson Middle School Freedom Shrine kicks off a host of activities for students, including an upcoming Freedom Shrine competition that will test the student’s knowledge on the facts of American history showcased by the Freedom Shrine documents. The winning student will receive a valuable award and recognition on a permanent plaque.

The 2008-2009 school year marks the tenth anniversary of the refurbished Stetson Middle School building. In those ten years, Stetson has greatly enjoyed the Freedom Shrine wall. Stetson Middle School Principal LeRoy Whitehead says, “I am proud of the partnership that Stetson has formed with the Exchange Club of West Chester and appreciate their support of our school. It is community partnerships like these that add value to our educational programs and bring the community into our schools to see the great things that are happening in the West Chester Area School District.” On behalf of the West Chester Exchange Club, Tom Wilson, club president donated 300 educational text books and companion materials to the school – “so that students may gain a richer understanding of the historical significance of the documents displayed on the Freedom Shrine wall.” The Stetson Social Studies Department will be using these valuable materials to further enrich their curriculum and sponsor a speaking contest for students using the historical selections.

A portion of the proceeds from the rededication efforts will go toward the Robert London Fund. Robert London was a former Stetson Middle School principal who was widely known and respected for his commitment and passion to helping those students who were less fortunate and in need of economic assistance. This fund is used primarily by the school caseworkers and the principal to assist those students who are economically disadvantaged. These funds go toward items that students may not be able to afford such as athletic equipment, academic supplies, food, clothing, or may be used to help defray the cost of some field trips for students who otherwise may not be able to participate. The Chairman of First National Bank of Chester County, John Featherman, presented a donation to the Robert London Fund and congratulated the school and the Exchange Club for their many contributions to the community.

Featured speakers included: Senator Andrew Dinniman, Representative Barbara McIlvaine-Smith and Representative Tom Killion. Also in the audience was Chester County’s Sheriff, Carolyn B. Welsh and Richard Dana Smith, Sr., Governor of the Pennsylvania Society of the Founders and Patriots of America. In addition to the more than sixty people at the ceremony were members of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 0409 of West Chester and student council representatives.

Stetson Middle School is a member of the West Chester Area School District and serves over 900 students in grades six through eight. The West Chester Exchange Club is a volunteer group of men and women who provide programs of charitable work throughout the community. For more information, contact Peter Adams at 484-832-6708.

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