Lee High School to celebrate 100 years of tradition and history with Centennial Celebration Sept. 30

Over the years, Lee Middle & High School has grown from the single front wing built in 1923 (Courtesy, Lee High School)

By Deborah Reed

deborah@wktv.org

The district’s K-10 Godfrey Avenue School grew from two classrooms to 12 between 1894 and 1916, and was still overcrowded with classes meeting in stairwells (Courtesy, LHS and the Godfrey-Lee Parent-Teacher Association)

In November 1923, an excited band of students, led by Principal Francis W. Marsh, left the old Godfrey Avenue School and entered the halls of the new Lee Street School for the first time.

One hundred years later, on Saturday, Sept. 30, the community and alumni will celebrate Lee High School (LHS) with a Centennial Celebration event.

“[Lee High School] has such a rich history and traditions,” said David Britten, Former Superintendent and Alumni Representative. “Even though much of that has changed, I think it’s important that the people who live there, and the people who are involved with the school district, know what some of that is in order to better understand what is going on today and why it is what it is.”

A rich history

As Wyoming’s oldest high school, and the only school still occupying its original 1923 structure, LHS represents the entire district.

Lee High School in 1949, with original front section built in 1923, east wing addition (1925), and west addition (1930) (Courtesy, Lee High School)

“The tradition is more than the 100 years of Lee High School, but the school district itself, dating back to 1857,” said Britten.

Britten went on to say that the primary focus of the celebration is to help the current community learn about the depth of history of the entire area.

“People don’t realize [LHS]’s roots, its history, is really Wyoming’s history,” said Britten.

A member of the Wyoming Historical Commission, Britten is doing what he can to make people citywide more aware of the history and traditions of the city itself.

“I made it a point while I was there (at LHS), and even since I’ve left there, to make that history visible to people, either through Facebook or presentations,” said Britten. “It gives you clarity.”

Traditions – then and now

A full-size gym with regulation court was built in 1952 at the north end of the west wind along Havana Ave and was considered one of the best basketball courts in Wyoming (Courtesy, Lee High School)

As a freshman at LHS in 1969, then serving as middle school principal, conjoined middle and high school principal, and then superintendent of Lee schools until his retirement in 2017, Britten has seen traditions come and go.

“We used to be more social as a school,” remembers Britten. “Back in our day, we had dances after every home game. It didn’t matter if it was football or basketball.”

Britten also remembers another lost tradition – socializing at soda bars.

“You could walk from school over to Chicago Drive or to Burton, and one of the drug stores would have a soda bar,” said Britten. “Now, kids are more alone. Their connection is through their phones or online video gaming, but not so much the kind of social things that we did.”

Britten believes that is why the Centennial Celebration is so important.

“The more a school district or school itself or parents can put together these kinds of celebrations, whether it’s for a 100th anniversary or something else, and bring people together, the better,” said Britten.

What attendees can expect

Centennial Celebration activities will include an all-years alumni reunion, homecoming activities, and an open house to view the progress of the reconstruction, upgrade, and remodeling of Lee Middle & High School.

In 1938, an 11-acre athletic complex was completed on Godfrey Avenue (Courtesy, Lee High School)

The traditional homecoming parade, followed by a varsity soccer match that will begin at 5 p.m., will be held on the preceding Friday.

Saturday activities will commence at Lee Field on Godfrey Avenue at 12 p.m. with the traditional homecoming football game between the Lee Legends and Eau Claire Beavers. State Representative Winnie Brinks, a former member of the Godfrey-Lee staff, will welcome fans to the stadium just prior to kickoff.

The game will include performances by the award-winning Lee High School band and other activities. At half-time, the traditional crowning of the homecoming king and queen will also feature on-field representation by several dozen past Lee High School royalty, extending back to the 1950s.

The Centennial Celebration community open house and alumni reunion will begin at 1 p.m. in the Lee High School gym on Havana Street. Aside from guided tours of the school, a substantial historical display will highlight the history of the Godfrey-Lee community since the first landowners of 1833.

David Britten and Thomas DeGennaro compiled 100 years of memories and history in a book and with all proceeds going to Lee High School (Courtesy, Lee High School)

Three hundred copies of a new 128-page book titled 100 Years at the Lee Street School by David Britten and Thomas DeGennaro will be made available for purchase, with all proceeds supporting Lee High School.

“It became a labor of love over a couple of years,” said Britten about the book. “We think it’s going to be a key part in this celebration.”

Several other activities will be ongoing until the open house/reunion ends at 5 p.m., and attendees will be encouraged to donate to a scholarship fund for Lee students.

Complimentary light refreshments will be available.

“A hundred years only comes once”

Britten urges community members to come out, enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime celebration, and support LHS students by attending the football game, presentations, and performances.

“A hundred years only comes once,” Britten said with a laugh. “I’m not sticking around to plan the 200 year celebration.”

To learn more about Godfrey-Lee Public Schools, visit www.godfrey-lee.org.

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