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Show Training School Celebrates Golden Jubilee r"1 K i ' ' - ' ' V. - v" f, . s c ' H f V - f t ' ;i . t ! V - i .... J yt-i - i J y " , ' : ' ' " ' " MRS. LEONARD LAVIS shares a moment wit tt residents who helped make the Training School's 50th anniversary a big success. Rain and cold weather failed to keep hundreds of Utahns from attending at-tending the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Utah State Training School. The Golden Jubilee observance was Sunday, and although the weather curtailed outdoor activities, it didn't dampen the spirits of those in attendance. at-tendance. Programs, dinners, and a scheduled band concert were merely moved inside instead of being held outdoors on the spacious campus grounds. Dr. Paul S. Sagers, Director of Developmental Disabled-Mentally Retarded for Utah and a former superintendent of the school, challenged the current staff to use every resource available to serve society's "most truly needy citizens" and to "build on the past and continue to improve on the quality of care to those we serve.' Dr. Sagers said he is confident that under the leadership of Superintendent Superin-tendent (Leonard W.) La vis and with the support of the training school staff of "dedicated public servants," the school will, in the decade of the 80s, assume its proper role in the continuum con-tinuum of services and, "we will have greater pride than ever before in this marvelous institution." Dr. Sagers expressed thanks to the superintendent and staff at the school for the Golden Jubilee observance, calling attention to "50 years of caring by the people of Utah;" to former Governor Calvin L. Rampton and his wife, Lucy Beth, and Governor Scott M. Matheson and his wife, Norma for their tremendous support of the school while he was superintendent and at the present time; to the legislature and especially Utah County legislators for the assistance they have provided through seeing necessary funds were available to assure "quality care for those we serve," and to the community com-munity in "which this beautiful facility is located." He also expressed appreciation to the parents of residents for their "patience and support over the years;" to members of the Developmentally Disabled Council and other advocates and to the residents themselves . , . w He told the parents "Because of your patience and support we have made steady progress over the years so we now have an excellent residential and treatment program here at the Utah State Training School." He continued, "We have steadily improved our programs without the need for costly court actions, litigation, or judicial decrees. In Utah, we have avoided the bitterness and ugliness between state government govern-ment and advocacy groups because we have been willing to work together for a common cause - something that isn't the case in many states of the union." A band concert by the Salt Lake City Postman's Band started the activities off. This was followed by the re-dedication program, which Supt. Lavis called a cooperative effort ef-fort by staff and volunteers with over 250 employees and other volunteers donating their time. Mayor Malcolm H. Beck, American Fork, congratulated the school staff on the progress made over the years of the schools' existence. He said he has seen, in his travels, that Utah is "way ahead of states in the East" in the area of caring for the retarded. Mayor Beck noted until eight days ago when the school was officially annexed into American Fork City, the institution existed on the borders of the city. "Although we have supported sup-ported you in the past, we can support you so much more now," he said. Cathy Gilmore, Deputy Director of Programs for the Department of Social Services, recalled some of the history of the school, and said the re-dedication re-dedication "gives us an occasion for reflection on the past." She noted many areas of change, including the vocabulary and terms used now. "When the legislature estabished the school, it was listed as a school for the feeble minded," she noted, a far cry from how we think of these citizens today. "What kind of legacy are we leaving for those who come later," the deputy director asked. "It is important for us to continue to have a good institution, one we can be proud of, as we are now," she said. Ms. Gilmore commended the staff of the institution. for going the second mile in caring for the residents, and said they have to be "flexible" to change, as those in the past have been, in order to meet the needs of the future. , "In order to be effective, we need to all work together" for a common cause, she said. i Elaine S. Sharp, executive director of the Mental Retardation Association of Utah, told of the growth and progress of the school since its beginning. She paid tribute to the "pioneers in the early years of the school." Continuing, she said Utah is first in the nation in the care of the retarded and developmentally disabled but "we have not yet arrived, there is still much to be done." She said MRAU is working to gain, funding from the state legislature to have the final phase of building construction completed in time to meet federal deadlines of 1982. , '"The success of the school in the decades ahead depends on the maturity, the dedication of those who serve in the field," she said. Dr. Mark K. Allen, who has been associated with the school for 49 of its 50 years of existence, gave the re-dedication re-dedication prayer. Lynda Stewart, co-ordinator of the Golden Gubilee, presented Supt. Lavis with a time capsule containing memorabelia of the past and present and which is to be opened after the year 2000. Music for the program was provided by members of the Beehive Statesman Chorus from Salt Lake City. Other activities included a reception sponsored by MRAU for all present and former employees of the school, tours of the campus; the giving away of a Golden Jubilee Journal to each family present; cotton candy and balloons ; a program entitled "Do You Remember When" and a chuckwagon supper. |