The Lynnville-Sully Community Education Foundation has several activities in the works for L-S Homecoming 2016 for alumni and friends of the Hawks. The date for the homecoming football game versus New London has been set for Friday, Oct. 7, at 7 p.m. Prior to the game, the annual homecoming parade around the Sully square will begin at 2:30 p.m. Starting at 5 p.m. a freewill chili and chili dog supper will be served in the elemen-tary/middle school gym. All proceeds benefit LSCEF, who in turn gives back to the teachers and students, enhancing the educational experience of all L-S students in the classroom. During halftime of the game, the 1986 championship football team will be honored on the 30th anniversary of their historic season. Also honored at halftime will be the Class of 1961.
On Saturday morning at 8 a.m., all alumni and community members are invited back to the school for breakfast pastries from the Pella bakeries. At 8:30 a.m., first featured guest speaker will be Susie Gray Duke, L-S Class of 1999. Duke, daughter of Robin and Nancy Gray of rural Searsboro, began her running career in the early 1990s competing in cross-country and track. During her time at L-S, she earned all-state honors, was invited to race the 3,000-m at the Drake Relays, and was a member of the 1996 State Cross Country Championship Team. Duke attended Iowa State University, where she ran cross-country and track. She graduated in 2003 and continued to chase her running dreams. She qualified for and joined Runablaze, Iowa’s elite post-collegiate distance running development team in 2010, and in 2014, became a member of the Altra Running Endurance Team. In 2014, she won the IMT Des Moines Half Marathon and holds the record for the fastest Iowa female on that course, 1:18:21. Later that fall, she became one of five female Iowans to qualify for the 2016 U.S. Olympic Trials Marathon, running the Indianapolis Monumental Marathon in a time of 2:42:35 for fourth place. Duke still trains, but is working to overcome a major injury to her back sustained in 2015.
Also featured at the breakfast will be Class of 1961 spokesperson Denny Brand of Pella. L-S football, cross-country, and volleyball coaches will also speak, along with the LSCEF president. School tours will be given by L-S Superintendent Shane Ehresman featuring the new wrestling room and wood shop area along with all areas of the school campus.
Plan now to attend L-S Homecoming 2016. Invite your friends, family, and fellow classmates to make this an annual homecoming tradition.
