Centennial Celebration

Columbus Academy had much to celebrate in 2011 as the school began its second century. Academy's Centennial Celebration included multiple events throughout the year, highlighted by a 100th birthday party on Friday, September 23, 2011. To watch the video from our 100th birthday party, please click here!

For more information on Columbus Academy Centennial Celebration, please contact Director of Communications Bob Lee at Bob_Lee@columbusacademy.org.

Junior Speech Documentary

Started in 1915 as Chapel Declamations and known later as Chapel Speeches, the Junior Speech is the one rite of passage that binds all Columbus Academy alumni. The universal reverence for the school's oldest tradition is beautifully captured in a new documentary by Lucinda Kirk P'97 and Playback Performance's Craig Caruso. Commissioned as part of the school's Centennial celebration, the film debuted at the beginning of the 2011-12 school year and was featured during 2011 Reunion Weekend activities and the 100th birthday party on September 23, 2011. To watch the video, please click here.

Centennial Lip Dub

In the spring of 2011, the entire Middle School participated in a lip dub honoring Columbus Academy's Centennial. The video and accompanying song focused on school founder James Lyon Hamill. Read all about the project in the Summer 2011 issue of Academy magazine by clicking here. And to watch the end result, please click here.

Centennial Video Project

Short videos about Academy's history were collected and displayed in a unique interactive map presentation that can be viewed by clicking here. These videos captured memories, anecdotes, important moments and special messages from numerous members of the Academy community -- friends, students, alumni, current and former faculty/staff -- as they sent their best wishes for the school's 100th birthday from around the nation and the globe. Please contact Director of Communications Bob Lee if you would like more information about the project, which concluded in 2012 with 174 total submissions, including interviews of 152 alumni.

Centennial Gala

At the Centennial Spring Gala on April 9, alumni, parents, faculty and staff traveled through time as life at Academy was recreated... featuring a speakeasy, diner, Woodstock, cover-band concert and much more. To see photos from the event, please click here.

Commemorative Centennial Book

Due to the generosity of PACA and the Spring Gala's terrific volunteers, a wonderful 130-page yearbook chronicling the school's first 100 years was made possible. This is the one and only official book for Columbus Academy's Centennial and can be purchased for just $25. You can pick up a copy at the front desk of Academy Hall (checks to PACA or cash only -- no credit cards). The Centennial Yearbook is a great gift for alumni, current students, parents and grandparents! It can also be viewed online by clicking here.

Centennial Posters

Throughout 2011, posters commemorating Academy's 100 years were produced and displayed throughout campus. These displays contained historical facts and photos that were grouped into categories and themes relevant to the school's long-standing traditions and more recent changes. The historical photos and information contained on the posters were used in a variety of ways to incorporate the Centennial into the school's curriculum and activities.

Please click on the links below to see the online versions of the Centennial posters.

THEME: ACADEMY CAMPUS
Early Years 1911-1940
Growing Years 1940-1967
Modern Day 1968-2011

THEME: ACADEMY LEADERS
Founding Fathers
Headmasters
Faculty
Black History Milestones
Women Who Pioneered
Girls Who Pioneered
Military Service

THEME: ACADEMY ATHLETICS
The Athletic Association
The Varsity "A" Club
Team State Titles
Individual State Champions

THEME: ACADEMY TRADITIONS
Philanthropy

"Academy Boys: World War II"

From interviews with alumni veterans of World War II, Elizabeth Vaziri '11 created a documentary that premiered in Schoedinger Theatre on Veterans Day (November 11) 2010. For more information, please click here. A plaque (photo) honoring all of CA's military veterans was unveiled during a special ceremony in November 2011 (slideshow). Click on the links below to watch individual segments of the "Academy Boys" video.

• Press Coverage
• Dan Carmichael '36
• Bob Strausbaugh '38
• George Winger '36
• Jack Farrar '36
• William Farrar '38
• Bob Brisley '38
• Don Casto Jr. '40
  
• Jean-Jacques Demorest '36
  
• Bill Emig '38
  
• Art Vorys '41

Assembly Snapshots

Fun facts about Columbus Academy's history were shared in each division in order to educate current students about the school's Centennial. To see the initial presentation in Upper School assembly by Student Council President Catherine Aronowitz '11 and Student Alumni Representative Rachel Shnayder '11, please click here.

100 Important Dates in Academy History

A list of 100 important dates in Columbus Academy's history was compiled and featured in the Summer 2011 issue of Academy magazine. To view the online version of that edition, please click here.

Gifts and Giving

Alumni were encouraged to participate in the $100 for the 100th program for the 2011-12 Annual Fund. The goal for current parents, meanwhile, was 100 percent participation in the Annual Fund to honor the school's Centennial. Please click here to give securely online. If you would like to learn more about the Annual Fund or ways to give, please contact the school's Development Office at (614) 509-2228.

"The Academy Stream"

The annual play staged by fifth-graders for their Reunion Buddies about CA's history was updated and made its debut during Reunion Weekend on October 8, 2010.

Spring Musical

The spring musical in 2011 was "The Music Man," based in the early 20th century around the time when Columbus Academy was founded. A special Sunday afternoon matinee included a reception for alumni as well as a backstage tour and special seating. Photos from that performance and the alumni reception can be viewed by clicking here.

"The Columbus Academy at 75"

The 75th anniversary book published in 1987 -- titled "The Columbus Academy at 75" -- was made available for viewing online. Please click on the links below to access segments of the book in PDF format.

• Introduction & The Early Years
• Years of Growth
• Renaissance Years
• The Academy Way
• The Faculty & In Quest of the Best