In 1976, a South Point Elementary third-grade class created a special piece of history as part of the nation’s Bicentennial celebration. Nearly 50 years later, that piece of history has found its way back to the School District of Washington.

The class, taught by Mrs. Shirley Geyer, decided to make an American flag as its Bicentennial project. The students helped plan the project, measure the flag and sew it together over the course of several weeks.

When the flag was completed, the class gathered around the South Point flagpole on the final day of school. The handmade flag was raised to the top of the pole as the students recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

Geyer preserved the flag along with a letter explaining the project and expressing her hope that, 50 years later, the School District of Washington superintendent might find a way to display the flag.

Following Geyer’s passing, her son, Eric Geyer, discovered the flag and the letter among her belongings. He reached out to the School District of Washington and returned the flag to the district.

Superintendent Dr. Cassandra Suggs displayed the flag during the School District of Washington Board of Education meeting on Wednesday, September 16, sharing the story behind the project and its connection to South Point Elementary. It will remain on display in the district office board room. 

In the letter preserved with the flag, Geyer wrote:

“Our third-grade class wanted to do something special as each class in the building did. The class decided to make a flag. They planned it. I bought the material for $6 and the class members helped me measure the flag that we flew on the flag pole. From there on, they measured and sewed every stitch. Sometimes it was hectic. Everyone wanted to sew at the same time. We worked on it for several days, off and on, from March until the day before school was dismissed for the summer. After it was completed, we raised it to the top of the flag pole and said the Pledge of Allegiance by forming a circle around the pole. It was exciting.”

The flag serves as a connection between generations of South Point Elementary students and a memorable moment in the school’s history, while also honoring Geyer and the students who created it during America’s Bicentennial year.

 

Superintendent Dr. Cassandra Suggs and Board  of Education President Dr. Frank Wood display the flag from Shirley Geyer’s 1976 third-grade class at South Point Elementary. Geyer was one of Wood’s elementary teachers while he attended school growing up.