by Leslie Lytle, Messenger Staff Writer
Members and guests attending the Nov. 13 dinner meeting of the Sewanee Civic Association heard updates on the Community Chest fund drive, the historical marker commemorating the desegregation of Sewanee Elementary School and the renovation of Elliott Park. Robie Jackson, performing arts coordinator for St. Andrew’s-Sewanee School (SAS), gave a slide show presentation about the SAS Players’ summer trip to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland.
The Community Chest fund drive, sponsored by the Civic Association, has reached half of the $108,000 goal for the 2013–14 academic year. Civic Association Vice President Kiki Beavers stressed that every dollar donated to the Community Chest “stays here” and will help finance the needs of 28 area organizations and programs, if the goal is met.
The Civic Association has received approval from the Tennessee State Historical Commission for a historical marker to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the desegregation of Sewanee Elementary School (SES). The 1963 lawsuit brought by eight Sewanee families was unique for involving both black and white plaintiffs. The marker will be unveiled at a commemorative ceremony at 2 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 19, at SES. Elizabeth Clark Duncan and Cameron Swallow chair the planning committee and invite community involvement.
The marker was paid for with subscription fees to Sewanee Classifieds, a community email list sponsored by the Civic Association. To subscribe to Sewanee Classifieds ($10/annually) visit the Civic Association website, <sewaneecivic.wordpress.com>. For more information email <sewaneecivic@gmail.com>.
Board member Steve Burnett said the Parks Committee was researching playground equipment for the renovation of Elliott Park. The committee sent a Request for Information to several playground equipment companies. Burnett received an inquiry about the disrepair of the grills in the pavilion at Lake Cheston. The grills have since been removed. Burnett will look into possible remedies.
SAS Performing Arts Coordinator Robie Jackson teaches theater to sixth- through twelfth-grade students. Jackson praised the SAS theater program for making it possible to nurture aspiring actors over the course of six years. In 2011 and again in 2012, SAS was nominated to participate the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. In 2012, Jackson “felt like we were ready” and undertook the demanding application process. SAS was among only 50 high schools accepted to participate out of 1,099 applicants.
The next hurdle was financing the trip. The cost was $6,075 per student with each student’s family required to contribute $2,000. The SAS theater program raised $68,000 through benefits, a rummage sale, theater productions and an online campaign.
The 12 students and their SAS chaperones arrived in the United Kingdom on July 30 and after two days in London, headed for Edinburgh. The Fringe Festival includes over 1,800 performances of theatre, dance and comedy during its three-week run. The SAS players gave four performances of “The Ants” on four consecutive days. SAS film instructor (and Jackson’s husband) John Holleman wrote the play.
The next meeting of the Sewanee Civic Association is scheduled for Feb. 5.
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