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For Immediate Release: September 22, 2011Apollo Elementary Students Celebrate School’s 45th Birthday TITUSVILLE, FLORIDA – On Tuesday, Apollo’s 45th Birthday Celebration was held in front of Apollo’s Moon tree, with honored guests Dr. Brian Binggeli, Superintendent of schools; Dr. Michael Krupp, School Board member; Astronaut Jon McBride; Darlene Koenig, Andrea Farmer, Michael Mijon, from Delaware North, Kennedy Space Center Visitor’s Complex;1988 Olympic Bronze Medalist in the 100 free relay and Apollo elementary School Alumni, Mitzi Kremer Tighe; Former Vice-Mayor, local business owner, and Apollo Alumni Conrad Eigenmann; Favian Upshaw, a Senior at Astronaut High School and Apollo Alumni who spoke to the students; and community members. Sixth-grade student, Jennifer Flewwellin, was honored as the winner for the Designing Apollo School’s Patch Contest. Her patch will be featured in the school’s year book, displayed in the school’s front office, and a framed copy was given to the guests. Decked out in green, yellow and white attire, 730 Apollo Elementary School students sang and participated in the birthday celebration. Principal, Dr. Pamella O’Kell, along with Assistant Principal, Lorna Kesner, made a wish and blew out the candles on the birthday cake to end the program. Dr. O’Kell commented, “It’s all about teamwork! We have a great staff committed to education, teachers who have a passion for teaching, and inspiring our students, preparing them for tomorrow’s expectations.” Apollo Elementary opened its doors for the first time in September of 1966; a few months after NASA’s Apollo program began and two months before the last Gemini launch. The first Apollo rockets to launch were Apollo missions 4 through 10 before APOLLO 11 landed on the moon. Buzz Aldrin went back into space for what would be his finest hour, landing and walking on the moon! Inscribed on the Apollo’s lobby mural “Tranquility Base here, the Eagle has landed.” Astronaut, Captain John McBride inspired students, “Someone in this audience could someday visit Mars, so it is important that you stay in school and know that your education is most important.” Thanks to Delaware North Kennedy Visitor Complex, each Apollo student was given a “MoonPie” to enjoy, in lieu of cake.
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