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STUDENTS, PARENTS, STAFF HONOR 120 YEARS OF EDUCATION

By Erin France/OF THE COMMERCIAL STAFF
Saturday, September 12, 2009 9:57 PM CDT

Leonard Zell painted a butterfly on Samantha Segura’s arm with face paint.

St. Peter’s Catholic School board president Leonard Zell paints the Hulk on 2nd grader Da’Kyian Drones’ arm for Fun Day, one of several events to celebrate the school’s 120 year anniversary. Pine Bluff Commercial/Erin France

Zell is the board president of St. Peter’s Catholic School at 1515 S. State St. — and Saturday was Fun Day, one of several events to celebrate the school’s 120 year anniversary.

Zell said it was a sign of strength for the school to survive for so long.

“It’s an uphill battle because of the funds,” he said. “We’re here and ... we provide a wonderful environment for young children to get an education.”

Segura, a 3rd grader at St. Peter’s agreed.

“What I like best about St. Peter’s is we get a good education,” she said.

Segura said she thought her classes would help her get into a good college.

St. Peter’s librarian Cheryl Boyd said college is something the staff discusses with students.

“We’re trying to gear them up,” she said.

Both of her sons attend St. Peter’s. The public schools were too violent, she said and here, there’s the chance for one-on-one interaction with the teachers.

“It’s just a great little school,” she said.

Candace Thomas has a kindergartner and a 1st grader at St. Peter’s.

“They actually love coming to school,” she said.

Besides the Christian education, Thomas said she appreciates the after school program that gives her kids a safe place to stay.

Carol Ann Beeman, a doctor in education, is the principal of St. Peter’s.

“We’ve had really good turnout,” Beeman said on Fun Day.

Saturday also held an anniversary dinner and dance. Earlier events in the week included an alumni panel presentation and a welcome reception.

The school opened Sept. 9, 1889, as the Colored Industrial Institute with 140 students. It was the first school for black children in the state of Arkansas.

Beeman said she started thinking about the 120 year anniversary when she found some antique exams from the school’s alumni.

“They were very fragile,” she said.

The papers, now restored with a grant, will be touring other Catholic schools around the state this year.

“Things just sort of took off from there,” she said.

St. Peter’s enrollment today stands at about 70 students, Beeman said.

“We have had declining enrollment in the last few years,” she said.

But with small class sizes and individualized attention, she said she hopes to bring more students into St. Peter’s halls.

“We’re looking forward to brighter future.”

Details: www.stpeterspinebluff.org.

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