By Lorenzo Salinas

l.v.salinas@panews.com

 

The class of the past is giving to the class of the future.

Members from the Lincoln High School Class of 1972 delivered “Back to School” supplies Wednesday to Booker T. Washington Elementary School in Port Arthur.

The supply drive was a way for Lincoln classmates to continue a charitable tradition that started more than three decades ago.

“Last year, for our 45^th year class reunion, we discussed doing this, but due to Harvey, many of the students and our classmates were displaced,” Azzie Mills, class president, said. “But we wanted to keep our promise and deliver supplies to the school.”

Supplies like pencils, pens, safety scissors, glue and crayons were carefully packed into plastic crates in the administration office for later distribution to elementary classes pre-K through second grade.

Mills said the philosophy behind the drive started when she and her fellow classmates asked themselves how they could assist students, especially after an event like Harvey.

“It takes a village to raise kids,” Mills said. “This is our way of helping.”

Mills and other Class of ’72 graduates purchased school supplies from Walmart and checked them against the required list of supplies as put out by Washington Elementary.

They endeavored to fill some of the school list for students.

“We greatly appreciate the love and support coming from the Lincoln class,” Erica Seastrunk, principal, said. “They’re doing things to support the school and to support the children.”

Seastrunk said the donation of supplies helps lessen the stress on classroom teachers who would normally work to secure supplies for their students.

According to her, this act of generosity helps create a peace within the classroom.

“We need community peace to make our students successful,” she said.

“Taking care of our students is critical because they are indeed our future,” Mills said. “We must all continue to help each other because it truly takes a village to raise our children.”