Outstanding Local Educators Honored as National Historic Site Commemorates 100th anniversary of landmark Presidential election. Benefit Dinner on Saturday, May 12
The centennial of the Presidential election of 1912, the only quadrennial canvass matching three holders of the nation’s highest office, and successful innovation in the Mt. Vernon public schools are the twin themes of this year’s Historic Benefit Dinner at St. Paul’s Church National Historic Site, Saturday, May 12, 5 to 9 PM.
In that election, the Democratic nominee Woodrow Wilson prevailed over the incumbent President William Howard Taft, a Republican, and also defeated the dynamic former President Theodore Roosevelt, who was seeking a return to the White House on the third party Progressive ticket, sometimes called the Bull Moose campaign. The Socialist party’s Eugene V. Debs ran a strong fourth place finish, reflecting the country’s political landscape in the early 20th century. As part of the benefit program, Professor Duane Tananbaum of Lehman College explores that vigorous election 100 years ago.
The event honorees symbolize excellence in education. George Albano, currently the principal of Cottle Elementary School in Tuckahoe, served for three decades as an innovative, successful and widely respected principal of Lincoln School, Mt. Vernon’s largest elementary school. Anderson Jones, Coordinator of the Mathematics Department at Mount Vernon High School, has been an inspiring teacher, and is also a founder of Brothers of Class, an extracurricular initiative which develops high school male leaders.
Tickets cost $65. Proceeds benefit the public and educational programs of St. Paul’s Church National Historic Site, 897 S. Columbus Ave., Mt. Vernon, NY 10550. These are a wide array of talks, demonstrations, re-enactments and performances that explore the rich history of the site over more than 340 years. The sponsor is the Society of the National Shrine of the Bill of rights, a 501 c 3 non-profit organization that administers St. Paul’s through a co-operative agreement. For more information, call the site at 914-667-4116.
David Osborn, Manager; dho59stpaul@yahoo.com