Allentown, PA (October 3, 2016): On Thursday, October 6, at 4:00 p.m., Louis E. Dieruff High School will host a Kiln Dedication Ceremony to commemorate the school’s new kiln and honor the benefactors – Dr. John Stevens (Dieruff class of ’63) and his wife Anita (William Allen class of ’63) – who made this artistic fixture possible. The new kiln replaces the old one that was installed when Dieruff opened in 1959.
“We are truly appreciative of the generous gift from John and Anita,” states Susan Bocian, Principal of Dieruff High School. “This new kiln is vital to our student’s ability to create 3-dimensional art and has been incorporated into our extremely popular 3-D Art Program. This new state-of-the-art kiln is truly a gift that will keep on giving for decades to come.”
The program, which will be held in room B2, will include brief presentations from Dieruff Principal Susan Bocian, Dieruff Art Department instructors, and Dieruff Alumni Association President John Hughes. An engraved plaque with the Stevens’ names will be unveiled during the ceremony followed by prepared pottery pieces being placed in the kiln for the “Inaugural Firing.” These inaugural pottery pieces include creations from Dr. Stevens’s sister (an artist), Principal Bocian, John Hughes, Dieruff Art Teachers, and Tom Smith, Allentown School District’s Director of Facilities. Refreshments will be served at the conclusion of the ceremony.
About Allentown School District
ASD serves more than 16,000 students in a network of 22 early childhood, elementary, middle and high schools located throughout the City of Allentown, PA. The Allentown School District is the third largest urban school district out of 500 districts in the Commonwealth. A shared vision of the community, parents, guardians, staff and faculty focuses on “Empowering Students for Life,” providing ASD students with the skills and academics they need to realize their aspirations whether they be college, career or technical focus. ASD goals are aligned and compatible with the Pathways to Success Framework while providing a balanced education to all students. Allentown School District employs approximately 2,200 teachers, staff and administrators. The District, founded in 1866, is celebrating its Sesquicentennial throughout 2016. ASD serves students from 43 countries speaking 26 languages with nearly 90 percent of households qualifying as low income. ASD is committed to providing safe learning environments in which all students have equal access to education programs and resources.
www.allentownsd.org
Information provided by:
Kimberly Golden Benner
Director of Communications
Allentown School District
