A crowd of approximately 275 got more than a meal Tuesday during Mount Vernon City Schools’ spring senior citizens luncheon. After dining on chicken salad and croissant, spring salad, fruit, and lemon cake in the high school gym they moved to the theater to applaud student entertainment that included singing and instrumental music, even juggling.
They also heard an update from Superintendent Bill Seder about the district’s upcoming in-depth study of its facilities needs. “We will be in the process of developing a facilities master plan over the next eight months,” Seder said. “We will take a deep look at our facilities to address two specific areas: the age and functionality of our buildings and future growth in the district. “You may not be aware but we have two buildings that are over a century old. Four of our buildings don’t have cafeterias; we have to utilize our gyms.” Although Seder did not mention them by name, the district’s 100-plus-year-old schools are Wiggin Street Elementary, built in 1904, and East Elementary, constructed in 1907. Columbia, Dan Emmett, and Pleasant Street elementaries date to the 1950s The central office building on Elm Street was built in 1939.
“Growth is coming in Mount Vernon,” Seder continued. “1,400 new housing units are projected in the next three to five years. As a district, we need to be forward-thinking to serve our students.”
Among the luncheon participants were Marjorie Bennett, a member of the MVCS board of education, and her husband Butch. Board member Mary Ruggla-Dye also attended. “I am so grateful that we are able to do this,” Bennett said as she looked around the gym. “A lot of seniors don’t have students in the schools. This event keeps them up to date on what is happening in our schools. It also showcases the talents of our students.”
Soon-to-be graduate Sabina Hawks was among several National Honor Society members who greeted the arriving senior citizens and served the meals. “I think this luncheon is important because it helps to build a connection between our students and the older citizens,” said Hawks, whose college study interest is Latin American history. She expects to decide on a college this week.
During the program in the theater Seder said MVHS yearbooks from 1904 have been digitized and are accessible on the district website. Years of the Jacket Journal also can be found there.
Seder also cited several high school academic and extracurricular achievements, including the recent induction of 33 students into National Honor Society and the election of Olufemi Odiah as the governor of Ohio Key Clubs. The high school choir, which performed a three-song set, received a superior rating in recent state competition, and Mount Vernon has been recognized in the national 2024 Best Communities for Music Education by the NAMM Foundation (National Association of Music Merchants).
In addition to the choir, student presenters included:
Brady Kauffman, Global Scholars program graduate who outlined his work on predatory birds.
Rylee Jarosz, singing while playing piano
Chris Hawthorne, piano
Mason Chestnut, juggling
Griffin Beach, Chris Hawthorne, Natasha Joese and Hanna Hofferberth, string quartet
There was a student art display in the gym during lunch.
