Frenchtown Elementary School held its centennial celebration on Oct. 3, marking the 100th year anniversary of the school. The celebration took place on FES property and carried a range of vendors, catering, carnival games and a live band. The event lasted from 3 to 6 p.m.
The centennial had previously been scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 28, but due to inclement weather conditions, a nor’easter, it was moved to the following weekend. Despite the setback, Sandy Miller, centennial coordinator and executive secretary of FES, found a silver lining.
“I actually think the rain last weekend was kind of a blessing in disguise,” Miller said. “I was feeling super rushed and this extra week gave us time to think things through a little better about how we were going to display this awesome memorabilia that we have.”
The event kicked off with an opening ceremony by the FES band and choir directed by Peggy Ippolito, FES’s music teacher, and an introduction speech by Kate Nugent, board of education president. The band played a series of pep tunes and the choir followed up with singing “Hail Frenchtown!” which is FES’s Alma Mater written by Audrey Kish-Kiley.
FES students were also welcome to wear the old terrier mascot costume, known to students as Tuffy the terrier, and could be seen walking around greeting attendees.
Michelle Liebtag, council president, read the welcome speech and was followed by the Building of Frenchtown School, read by Juan Torres, Hunterdon County interim superintendent. Kathee Skerbetz, a retired preschool teacher aid, was also invited to honor her grandaunt Edith Ort Thomas.
Edith Ort Thomas was a math teacher and board member who served FES for over 50 years. In 1976, Frenchtown School was renamed Edith Ort Thomas Elementary School in honor of her years of dedication to FES. She is remembered through the signage posted in the front yard of the school.
Celebrating the history of FES was an important part of the centennial celebration according to FES Principal Jim Hintenach.
“For 100 years, Frenchtown School has been at the heart of our community, educating generations of children, building lasting relationships and creating a sense of pride and belonging that continues to bring our town together,” Hintenach said. “I feel incredibly fortunate to be part of this special school and community, and it is truly humbling to see how the town continues to rally around FES with so much pride, generosity and support. We are pretty lucky to be Terriers.”
Seventh grade students Avielle McAllister and Ardiana Berisha were brought up to the podium to honor the Spirit of the American Doughboy statue in the front of the school. The doughboy statue serves as a historic World War 1 memorial of the men from Frenchtown who served the United States. The doughboy was created by E. M. Viquesney, a Spanish-American War veteran and sculptor from Indiana. The sculpture itself represents a World War 1 infantryman and is only 1 of 8 versions of the statue in New Jersey.
“Together our school and the doughboy remind us that history is not only something we remember, it is something we carry forward,” McCallister said.
Hintenach and Miller finished out the opening ceremony, inviting all attendees to enjoy refreshments, games and music in the backyard of the school.
Memorabilia was arranged in the cafeteria of FES and all guests were allowed to view the collection inside the school. There were various graduation pictures from when FES was a high school, yearbooks, letters and newspaper clippings that were either donated by alumni or part of FES’s vast collection.
“I’m so happy to see so many alumni here and the memorabilia that people have brought in is just amazing and really cool to look at,” Nugent said.
Students and kids were able to play on the bouncy castles set up in Old Frenchtown Field and the side yard of the school. FES students were also given tickets to play carnival games in exchange for fun prizes set up by the PTO.
Rick Epstein’s newly released book, Terrier’s Forever!, was also available for sale.
“One of our FES parents, Natasha Mikhalchuk, worked with Rick Epstein to write our book,” Miller said, “She did all the graphics in it. Unfortunately, Mr. Epstein didn’t get to enjoy our festivities today.”
The centennial celebration proved to be a great way to engage the community and show people how important Frenchtown Elementary School is to the community.
“I think it [the centennial celebration] gave them [the community] a better understanding of the history of the school and how it has been a key part of the community,” Miller said, “So, hopefully they’ll carry that forward with them.”
