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Sandy Meindersma BANNER CORRESPONDENT
High School to honor West Boylston’s founder
WEST BOYLSTON— Ezra Beaman is coming to town. In
fact, his coming to town is the reason West Boylston exists in the first place.
In honor of the town’s founder, the town will begin its yearlong Bicentennial
celebration with “Ezra Beaman Day,” a formal program at the high school for
students and invited guests, on Wednesday, Jan. 30.
Beaman, a Revolutionary War hero who is known as the “father of West Boylston,”
led 30 families as they built their own church on the town common, rather than
travel three miles to Boylston for church services and town meetings.
After the town’s incorporation in 1808, Beaman served simultaneously
as selectman, treasurer and the first representative of the town
to the Legislature.
The Ezra Beaman Day program will
feature an impersonator in the role of elder statesman Beaman, who
will provide the high school students with a short history of the
town.
As part of the festivities, Chairman
of the Board of Selectmen Kevin McCormick will attend to present
Beaman with a key to the town.
State Senator Harriette Chandler and
State Rep. James O’Day are expected to attend and bring a
proclamation from the State House in recognition of the day.
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"I
hope the students will be able to personalize this and understand
the significance of what this year is about."
Chris LaBreck,
MIDDLE SCHOOL
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL |
“Bicentennial medals will be
presented to Senator Chandler, Representative O’Day and Ezra Beaman,” Assistant
Principal Chris LaBreck said.
Students will also be part of the celebration: The three winners of the
Bicentennial Essay Contest will read their essays, and the chorus will sing.
In addition to kicking off the yearlong celebration, LaBreck said he hoped Ezra
Beaman Day would help the students connect the history of the town with U. S.
History and what as happening at the time.
“It’s a good community connection,” LaBreck said. “Education is more than just
the curriculum frameworks. I hope the students will be able to personalize this
and understand the significance of what this year is about.”
Bicentennial Committee member and event coordinator Jack McCormick said there
will be a cake cutting. The cake will be served to the students during lunch the
following day.
West Boylston historian Frank Brown will impersonate the older Ezra Beaman;
students Jared Fancy and Jake Sanders will share the duties of young Ezra. Both
the elder and younger Ezras are expected to appear at various Bicentennial
events throughout the year.
Information on the West Boylston’s yearlong celebration or about how you can
help can be found at the Bicentennial’s official Web site. Log on to
www.westboylsto200.com
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