Sunday, August 7, 2005
Happy 20th birthday, Lewis Center
By GRETCHEN LOSI, Staff Writer, Daily Press
APPLE VALLEY - A downpour didn't dampen the spirits of some 300 who attended the Lewis Center for Educational Research's 20th birthday celebration at the charter school's Apple Valley campus on Saturday.
Those in attendance simply soaked up the jubilant atmosphere.
"This is really just a celebration of what can happen when a community comes together to accomplish something," the center's founder Rick Piercy said. "We have so many friends here from all over the country."
And beyond.
A who's who of NASA officials traveled in from places as far away as Australia and Tanzania to take part in the center's celebration.
The evening flowed for more than four hours with tributes to people important to the center's history and speeches made by NASA officials and area politicians.
"The Lewis Center has made a phenomenal contribution to our future," the center's namesake, Rep. Jerry Lewis, R-Redlands, said.
Apple Valley councilmen Rick Roelle and Tim Jasper were joined by Assemblyman Dennis Mountjoy, R- Monrovia, and field representatives from the offices of Assemblywoman Sharon Runner and San Bernardino County Supervisor Bill Postmus to deliver birthday greetings and different proclamations.
Founder of the High Desert Astronomical Society Dr. Ed. Johnston was presented with a crystal replica of the center's observatory.
Piercy's daughter Mandy Moler paid tribute to her father.
"The Lewis Center has been a part of my life since I can remember," Moler said. "Thank you for allowing me to be a part of such an incredible legacy."
Another touching tribute was given to one of the center's beloved board members, the late Dr. Michael J. Klein.
Klein, who served as lead scientist with the center's GAVRT program before becoming a board member of the Lewis Center's foundation in 1999, died May 14.
"He had a way of making science meaningful to kids ... he would have been overwhelmed and honored," Piercy said.
A plaque in honor of Klein that will hang above the doorway leading into the center's master control room states as much.
"What's in it for the kids should come first - the science should be of secondary importance," the plaque reads.
Lewis and the center's Director of Global Programs Dave MacLauren also presented the family with a replica of the facility's plaque.
"It was a beautiful testament to (Klein) and the center for recognizing him," Beatrice Mann of Apple Valley said. "They've accomplished so much. This evening was simply perfect."
The center's accomplishments are numerous and their test scores speak volumes.
With a major focus on science and technology, the high school's API test scores are the best in the High Desert and third in the county, said the charter school's executive assistant Cheryl Thompson.
The school's proven success has gained such popularity that Thompson said there's now a waiting list of 2,500 - including students yet to be born.