In honor of the upcoming Independence Day holiday, we focus on a tradition for many years in the Lower School – Celebrate America. We are uncertain as to whether the idea came from Lower School Director Jim Miles or the music teacher at the time. Near the end of the school year, close to Memorial Day, the Lower School students would have a patriotic musical program to commemorate our forefathers with speech and song. The resident brownie scout troop would present the colors. Oftentimes there were outdoor activities like water games, bubbles and more. It would follow with a fourth-grade parent/student softball game. As the years passed, the patriotic program would be the introduction to the Lower School end of year certificate awards. The fourth-grade parent/student softball game continued for many years more.
Traditions like these hold a special place at O’Neal.
Falcons Fly to 50
O’Neal is excited to share its history with readers as it quickly nears its 50th year in educating and cultivating youth in becoming successful, effective contributors to communities large and small. The official celebration starts school year 2021/2022. This weekly blog will focus on different aspects of the School as it grew through the years. With every entry, there is just as much more information to gather than what is already written. Readers who have been a part of the O’Neal community are encouraged to reach out and share their O’Neal memories. It is with great hope that the efforts of many in contributing information and photography can be published into a book for reflection and reference as the School continues to prosper for the next 50 years.
Please send your memoirs and photos to:
The O’Neal School
c/o Kathy Taylor, Director of Communications
P.O. Box 290
Southern Pines, NC 28388
Email: ktaylor@onealschool.org