(Posted Sept. 9, 2018)
Last September, London Elementary celebrated its first Lemonade Day in honor of the school’s long-time principal, the late Carol Daniels. Carol’s personal mantra was, “If life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” This year the school hopes to celebrate in grand style, while christening a new memorial in her honor.
On Sept. 12, the public is invited to meet for a short program as the memorial is unveiled. The program will take place at 5 p.m. just outside the northwest corner of the school. Those attending the event are asked to park on the elementary playground lot. In case of inclement weather, the program will be held in the school auditeria.
This past May, the London school board approved a proposal from a committee of current educators, retired educators and community members to raise and donate funds for a monument in Carol’s honor. The monument, which will be located northwest of the school’s flag poles, stands approximately 6 feet high and is the shape of an open storybook. An inscription describes Carol’s life and contributions to London City Schools during her 40-year career.
The final fundraiser for the memorial project is a Storybook Character Fun Walk set for 1 p.m. Sept. 16 at the elementary school. Participants are encouraged to dress as their favorite storybook characters for the approximately one-mile walk around the school campus. Each finisher receives a book. Storybook baskets will be raffled off, as well. The cost to enter is $13 (13 in honor of Carol’s birthday, Sept. 13).
Carol’s started her service to London City Schools in 1976 when she was hired as an elementary teacher. She left the district for a short time to work as an administrator at Dohron Wilson Elementary in Mechanicsburg. She returned to London in 1988 as the elementary school principal, a position she held until she retired at the end of the 2016-17 school year.
During her time with the district, Carol worked with dozens of administrators, hundreds of staff members, and served as a role model to thousands of students, many of whom still reside in London. She was recognized as a Jennings Scholar in 1987, but it was her tireless advocacy for the children of London that set her apart.
