SCHOOL RECOGNIZES NAMESAKE

Louis Armstrong sang about a wonderful world, Michael Jackson demonstrated his Moonwalk, and Marilyn Monroe gave a lush rendition of Happy Birthday at May Greene Elementary School Friday morning.

The musical legends, portrayed by teachers in a fun mood, were only a few of the visitors who came to the school to help celebrate the birthday of the school's namesake.

Miss May Greene was born May 7, 1861, in Dallas, Mo., which is now Marble Hill. She taught school in Cape Girardeau for 53 years before retiring in 1932. The elementary school at 1000 Ranney was named in her honor May 21, 1921.

She never missed a day of work, nor was she ever tardy during her career.

This was the seventh year staff and students have celebrated Greene's birthday. Dr. Barbara Kohlfeld, principal at the school, said she thought the celebration was important because students often need to be reminded of their history.

"So many times we focus on the present and we forget to celebrate the lives of those who came before us," Kohlfeld said. "Miss May Greene was sweet and compassionate at a time when people believed we should keep a stiff upper lip. I just think it's wonderful that we can continue to celebrate the life of someone like her."

Teachers celebrated the details of Greene's life with students during a special assembly Friday morning. Besides the performances by period visitors, students also participated in a May pole dance and enjoyed a slideshow featuring current and former students and staff.

Teachers manned carnival activities to continue the celebration into the afternoon. "I think this definitely heightens the awareness of why this day is important and who May Greene is," said Mary Ann Lewis, a first-grade teacher who organized the assembly.

Lewis said although the birthday celebration was the focus of the day, students and teachers also began saying goodbye to their building. The school is scheduled to close after Blanchard Elementary School is completed.

"I wanted them, too, to get an understanding of how long the school has been here and to get a feel of what has happened through the years in this building," she said. "All of this is important. I think they got it."

Kohlfeld, who is scheduled to be principal at Blanchard school, said that the birthday party was bittersweet because it was the last one at the school. "We can continue to have the Miss May Greene celebration, but it's not going to be like this," she said. "We'll certainly have to do something, but this was the climax."

May Greene

-- Born in Marble Hill.

-- When she was 12 days old, family fled first to Cape Girardeau and then to Iowa until the end of the Civil War.

-- Fell while playing with friends and was seriously injured during her childhood. She had to use a crutch the rest of her life.

-- Former residences include current location of KFVS-TV 12. The May Greene Garden at the corner of Themis and Fountain streets was her garden when she lived on the lot currently occupied by the Federal Building.

-- Attended Normal School, now Southeast Missouri State University.

-- Began teaching at the Old Lorimier School in 1879. Served as principal at Lorimier, Broadway and Washington schools and taught every grade level up to eighth grade at least once.

-- Current May Greene School, 1000 Ranney, named in her honor May 21, 1921.

-- May 7, 1929, she was given a chest of gold coins worth $500 by the people of Cape Girardeau.

-- In 1932, she retired after teaching for 53 years. She was never tardy or missed a day of work.