By Brandon Harrison
Contributing Writer
On Friday, March 28th, 2014 EIS honored the founding board members, alumni, past instructors, parents, board presidents and the Tom Watts family in another wonderful 50th anniversary afternoon tea celebration of those who served from 1964-1986. The room was full of the people who are the cornerstones and the foundation of the Elementary Institute of Science and who helped get it to the 50th anniversary.
Among those honored were Elizabeth Thompson (1st EIS executive Director), Tom Hom (Founding board member), Dr. Robert Matthews (Founding board member and 3 term board president), Robert Covington (former board member), Albert McClain (former board member), Jill Watts, Sarah Woo, Becky Watts-Woo, Abigail Woo, Nancy Watts-Peck and Doris Watts (wife of EIS Founder Tom Watts). Alumni who were there to show appreciation included Evonne Smith (EIS Board President), Kelly Steppe, Paul Stephens, & Alvin Holman. Special thanks to event coordinators who were Evelyn Smith, Ardelle Matthews, & Maxcine Stephens.
The room was full of joy, stories of the beginnings of EIS, and hope for the future. The event consisted of reflections of the past, a pinning ceremony where each honored guest received their 50th anniversary commemorative pin, and the unveiling of the bronze plaque in memory and in honor of founder Tom Watts. It was a pleasure to have those who paved the way for this great organization in one room to say thank you for the past 50 years of cutting edge S.T.E.M. education, and we are looking forward to the next 50 years.
We also would like any former students of EIS to contact us at [email protected] so we can keep you informed with the 50th anniversary events and beyond.
We also invite the community to join us on Wednesday, July 23rd at 11:30am at the Joe & Vi Jacobs Center as we celebrate our 50th anniversary with the entire San Diego community. Ticket information will be available after June 1st.
