The Miami times. [volume] (Miami, Fla.) 1923-current, 1956-05-12
Birthday and Silver
Anniversary Program
at Dunbar School


Miss Leone Adams, Miss Maude
Ellison and Mesdames Jenette Fol-
son, Mamie Strother and Minnie
Swami were honored on the Silver
Anniversary OF their entering the
teaching field in Dade County.
The Dunbar family, faculty, stu
dent body and staff chose May l..
birthday anniversary of the prin-
cipal for the double celebration.
Among the many birthday gifts
received by Mrs. Pearsall were a
silver tea and coffee service
American Beauty roses from the
Miami Times, and a huge birth
day cake sprinkled with silver
dragees and surmounted by the
figures "25" in silver, special gift
of the lunchroom personnel.
A short program was given on
the court where the entire student
body assembled. Mrs. Pearsall,
escorted by Mr.. Pearsall, was led
to the place of honor as "The
Birthday Song" was directed by
Mrs. Sally Oates. Nursery school
children filed out carrying large
letters and formed Happy Birth
day, Mrs. Pearsall!" A square
dance and Virginia reel by pup
lis of the 5th and 9th grades pre-
ceeded and followed respective
ly, the presentation of an orchid
gift of the Art Club. Rodney
Jones of Mr.. Ivey's room, club
president, made the presentation.
Fred Hudson of Mr.. Hecburn's
class gave the expression of ap-
probation on behalf of the Dun
bar family and presented the fam
lily GIFT. American Beauty roses
from the Miami Times were given
by Elliott j.. Pieze, college class
mate of the honoree. Mrs. Eliza
beth ESpy, representing the Prin-
cipals' Council, brought the Coun-
cil's gift and made fitting re-
marks. Mrs. Pearsall graciously
accepted the gift in short speech.
At this point, Mr.. Ivey who was
M. Cling the program called the
five faculty members forward and
to their surprise they were given
presents by students Thelma Bal
lard, Leon Bethune, and Edward
Delaney. The program closed with
the assembled group singing "The
Dunbar School Song"
Guests at the coffee hour which
followed included Mrs. Floyd w.
Davis of Marathon, Miss Adams,
Mrs. Folsom, Miss Ellison, Mrs
Strother, Mr.. Swami, and Messrs.
Johnny Pearsall, Sr., Curtis Clark
and Elliott Pieze. Mrs. Pearsall's
25th anniversary gift was the sill
yer service. The five faculty mem
bers found to their added sur
prise that they had each receiv-
ed a silver compete. The Silver
Tea and Coffee service, thanked
by the American Beauty roses was
placed before a large H a p y
Birthday display arranged by the ]
school librarian in order that the
pupils of the school might enjoy
seeing their gift. Mesdames Clara
knight and Dorothy Sanford
served as hostesSes for the coffee
hour. Members of the Sunshine
Committee who were res. oonSible
for the entire affair are Mrs.
Myrtle Billiard, chairman, Miss
Geneva Bethel and Mesdames
Marian Dean, Hannah Edwards,
and Clara Knight.
Mrs. Pearsall, second oldest
principal in years of service in
Dade County has had all of her
experience in this county. She has
spent "a of the Is years in admin
istrative positions. Prior to COM
ing to Dunbar in 1941, she was
principal at Hialeah elementary
(now J. w. Johnson); and of
South Miami Elementary and Jr.
High School. She is a graduate of
FANG and of New York Univer-
sity.
In addition to her work with
the schools, she has been very
much aware of the place of COM
munity in developing good
schools as well as the respcn~i-
bility of the schools to the COM
munity. She has Ger
her work with the Community
Chest, the American Red Cross,
YWCA and st. James AME
Church where she is a member
of the Trustee Board. She assist