Posted by Joe O
on 2/29/2008, 11:30 am
65.78.48.135
Daily Times: Walnut St. Elementary marks Ms. Dunbar Day
By VICKY THOMAS, newsroom@delcotimes.com
DARBY BOROUGH — The students of Walnut Street Elementary School sang at the top of their lungs as their gym teacher stood in front of them, smiling with tears in her eyes.
“So we’ll root, root, root for Ms. Dunbar, she’s in the hall of fame!”
Thursday’s “Ms. Dunbar Day” afternoon assembly at the Darby school honored Theresa Dunbar for her induction into the Amateur Softball Association of Pennsylvania Hall of Fame, the first woman from Delaware County to join the elite club.
The students honored Dunbar by singing songs, performing Abbot and Costello’s “Who’s on First?” skit, and reading poems and jokes.
About a dozen teachers, dubbed the “Dunbar Dancers” performed, while the seventh- and eighth-grade cheerleaders did a personalized routine.
Students also gave her banners, cards, posters and a video of encouraging words from around the school.
Staff members and students planned the celebration for over a month while managing to keep it a surprise, leaving Dunbar overwhelmed by the gesture.
“I had no idea. This was nuts,” said Dunbar. “They kind of let on that something was going to happen, but not to what extent it was. When these kids do stuff, they really do it from the heart.”
Dunbar, who was named Daily Times female softball Player of the Millennium in 1999, will travel to Hershey on Saturday to join the ASA of PA Hall of Fame.
“I’ve been trying to contain my excitement, but this blew the lid off it,” said Dunbar. “I’m really looking forward to it. My family will be there and people from the school, so all the people who matter to me will be a part of it.”
An assistant softball coach this year at Conestoga High School, Dunbar has spent 20 years coaching at different high schools and taught at Walnut Elementary for 22 years.
“Sometimes it’s a misunderstood school, but once you’re in these walls and you see what the teachers do for these kids … they really go above and beyond, and the kids need it,” said Dunbar.
As the assembly closed, Dunbar told the students how much she appreciated their support.
“I don’t know if Saturday will be able to compete with this. It’ll be nice and a good time, but I don’t think they can top what you guys did,” said Dunbar.
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