HEIDELBERG, Germany-- Students stole the show when they performed during the closing day ceremony for Mark Twain Elementary School in Heidelberg June 3.
“Goodbye, Mark Twain. Goodbye, Mark Twain. We’ll always remember you,” sang the 79 kindergarten through fifth grade students that make up the last classes of the school that opened in 1952.
The school may close but the name “Mark Twain” will remain, according to Heidelberg Mayor for Integration, Equal Opportunities and Citizen Services Wolfang Erichson. “We’re losing many friends and people,” he said following the ceremony. “We have an opportunity to develop all the land here ... and we have decided to keep the names of the streets and villages.”
The high school auditorium was full of parents, teachers, students and administrators, past and present, who gathered to witness the final school day.
Students populated the stage wearing white T-shirts with Mark Twain’s image and the famous Heidelberg bridge.
They sang five songs, written by German host nation teacher Jenny Thouw, that sent personal messages to history telling of “the school with heart” bidding those gathered “Adieu.”
Interspersed among the speeches and songs were historical tidbits presented by the students onstage that began with “Did you know?” and chronicled the story of the school.
Most touching were the recollections of former students. Zach Harrington, now a high school senior, recounted how he had been too shy to give his second-grade teacher a valentine. Better late than never, he said, “Ms. Williams, will you be my valentine?”
Linda Williams, still a teacher, understood better than any in the audience why that evoked “aaahs” from the crowd.
Teachers were honored when Principal Dolly Crooks said, “A school is only as good as the person who stands in front of your classroom.” She also recognized the dozen former teachers
who traveled there and introduced themselves and their best memories.
One retired teacher, Caroline Haberer, knew most all the people recognized at the front of the auditorium. She taught at Mannheim schools but the community of Department of Defense
Dependents Schools teachers is small and she had formed friendships with many of those who had also traveled to the school Friday.
“The schools offer support because when the parents deploy, the schools are there,” Haberer said. “They provide continuity, stability, a warm and safe haven.”
Wife of U.S. Army Europe commander Sue Hertling was the keynote speaker who remarked upon the “rock solid” education students received at the school. Students also heard from garrison commander Col. Bill Butcher and Command Sgt. Major Annette Weber via video whose message to students was, “You rock.” Other speakers were DODDS Europe Director Dr. Nancy Bresell and Heidelberg School District Superintendent Frank Roehl.
It was Roehl whom Crooks credited when she recognized military families. “I was never in a meeting with him that he didn’t say to us, ‘Never forget who you’re serving, the men and women
who serve our country,’” she said. “Nothing is more noble than putting on that uniform every day.”
Social Sharing