Kimball Middle to celebrate 50 years

Kimball Middle School at 451 N. McLean Blvd. in Elgin was dedicated on Jan. 26, 1960 and will celebrate 50 years of educating Elgin area students.

The celebration will begin Tuesday, Jan. 26 with an open house from 5 to 7 p.m. The open house will include guided tours and refreshments. After the open house, a rededication ceremony will be held at 7 p.m. in the gym. Both events are open to the public.

Elgin Area School District U-46 Superintendent Jose M. Torres and Dave Covey, the second principal at Kimball who was hired in 1980, will speak at the re-dedication ceremony.

Pictures will be posted throughout the building displaying the 50 years at Kimball. During school hours that day, the staff and students will dress in clothing from 1959. Anyone with Kimball artifacts is asked to bring them to the school.

The Student Council will sponsor a sock hop on Feb. 5 with a 1950s-'60's theme.

Interesting tidbits about Kimball include the fact that only three principals and five assistant principals have been hired in the entire 50-year period of the school's existence. Becky Carlson, the current principal's secretary, attended Kimball during her junior high years and has been the secretary for 32 years.