Davis Elementary celebrates 50th anniversary with music

Music and memories highlight the school's 50th anniversary celebration.
By JOSH ECHT
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
AUSTINTOWN -- The music director started directing.
The choir started singing.
And the crowd of pupils, staff and alumni at Austintown's John W. Davis Elementary School started celebrating the school's 50th anniversary Thursday afternoon.
After music instructor Dan Forsberg's pupils sang the Greg Gilpin song "So Much to Sing About," several pupils read important facts about the school's beginnings.
Named after judge
Davis Elementary, located on Maple Avenue, is named after Judge John W. Davis of Youngstown. The school opened its doors in September 1954.
"The wonderful thing about the school is the teamwork between all the staff members," Principal Tom Lenton said.
Lenton has been the principal since 2002. Alumnus David Philibin held the same position at Davis from 1989 to 1999.
"It's a very hard-working and cooperative school," Philibin said. "You don't see that in all buildings."
50 years of progress
Peter Morabito, who was a first-grader at Davis in the school's second year of operation (1955-56), appeared at the celebration to see the change wrought by 50 years of progress. Morabito also worked at the school from 1971 to 1973 as a speech therapist.
"It's a great neighborhood," he said. "The school is warm and friendly."
After the ceremony, pupils returned to their classrooms for cupcakes and alumni stayed around to share reminiscences.
Davis Elementary School is one of five elementary schools in Austintown. Others include Watson, Woodside, Lynnkirk and Lloyd elementary schools.
Davis Elementary has 260 pupils and employs about 25 staff members.