Press Release #45/March 14, 2022
Fordson High School and DuVall Elementary are both inviting the public to reserve their spots for 100 year anniversary celebration events in May and looking for program sponsors to help pay for the activities.
Fordson High School has a gala event planned for May 14 from 4 to 9 p.m. The events will include a formal program at 6 p.m. that will showcase some prominent alumni and the Fordson Alumni Band. Other events will include a Tractor store, classic car show, a sock hop dance in the main gym, guided tours, showcases displaying various graduation classes, tower tours and food trucks.
Tickets are $20 each and can be purchased online through Eventbrite or in person at the high school Monday to Friday between 8 and 11 a.m. Tickets include a souvenir, pizza, drink and dessert. The tower tour is an extra $5. Food trucks and vendors will also be on hand for visitors. Alumni and community members can also find anniversary spiritwear for sale at https://fhs100.logoshop.com/.
DuVall Elementary is holding a free event on May 6 from 5 to 8 p.m. but those planning to attend should reserve their space with a free ticket through the Eventbrite website. Activities will include opening the 75th anniversary time capsule, 100 years of Ford cars on display including a 1921 Model T,; school tours, a walk through the decades display created by students, light refreshments, music, and more. Food trucks will also be on hand for purchases, and DuVall items will be for sale. Anniversary items are also for sale through April 5 through an online store at https://duvall-elementary-pta.square.site/.
DuVall is looking for donations and program sponsors to help offset the cost of the event. See the program sponsor form for more details. Program sponsorships are due by March 31, 2022.
To support the Fordson High School event, contact Manal Hammoud at 313-827-7272 or FHS100YEARS@gmail.com.
School histories
Fordson High School is celebrating the anniversary of when the first high school in the area was established. Springwells High School was established in 1922 and was originally housed in what later became Miller School. In 1926, ground was broken for the iconic building that is now Fordson High School. It was the first $1 million high school in the country.
DuVall Elementary School opened in 1921 as Southwestern School. The school was built to serve families moving into new homes built with assistance from Henry Ford to house workers for his tractor factory. The area is now known as the Ford Historic Homes District.
Dearborn Schools has several buildings at or approaching their 100th anniversary. Like DuVall, Salina Intermediate was built in 1921. Those were followed by Henry Ford Elementary (the original section) in 1925 and Oakman Elementary in 1926. In 1927, Fordson High opened as did Lowrey Elementary and Whitmore Bolles Elementary. Lindbergh Elementary (originally a high school) and Woodworth Middle School opened in 1928 and Maples Elementary in 1929.
“Dearborn Public Schools is proud of the long, rich tradition of education in our community, and we are glad to welcome the public to help us celebrate parts of that history with these May events,” said Superintendent Glenn Maleyko.