On Saturday, April 1, 2023, Pearl Sample Elementary School (PSES) celebrated its 50-year anniversary. The celebration was attended by more than 100 people including current and former Pearl Sample families, current and former School Board members, Division Superintendent Dr. Brads, and members of the community.
Throughout the event, common themes emerged including students first, staff camaraderie, and a sense of family within the school community. These core values started with the first and longest standing Principal Bill Simms, and have continued to stay true over the years. The family atmosphere has evolved to the phrase “We are Pearl Sample,” which is painted on the wall in the main hallway for all to see when you enter the school building.
The event opened with refreshments and a meet and greet in the main lobby. During this time, attendees had an opportunity to catch up with old friends, meet new people, and purchase 50th anniversary t-shirts. They also had a chance to participate in a raffle for student “commemorative paintings.” Among the attendees were former Pearl Sample principals, Bill Simms, Faye Gentry, and Karie Lane. Pearl Sample’s first Assistant Principal, Barbara White, was also in attendance.
After the Meet and Greet, the celebration moved to the gym where current Principal Dan Birch opened the ceremony. His opening remarks included the sense of family that is felt when one walks through the doors of Pearl Sample. His welcome was followed by a slideshow of memories over the years. After the slideshow, fifteen people were recognized for serving 25 years or more at Pearl Sample. In addition to being recognized during the ceremony, these honored guests received a sash and had special seating during the ceremony.
Current PSES students led the next portion of the ceremony starting with 5th grade student Haley Fitzgerald. Haley was the winner of a 50th anniversary student essay contest and shared her essay entitled, “What Would Pearl Sample say if she visited our School?” After the essay, the Tiger Choir performed “Why We Sing,” which was a highlight according to the attendees.
After the student presentations, Karie Lane, Culpeper County Public Schools (CCPS) Director of Elementary Instruction, and former PSES Principal and student addressed the audience. Lane attended Pearl Sample for kindergarten through third grade when Bill Simms was the Principal. When she was in high school, she requested early release to go back to Pearl Sample to be a volunteer. During that time, she volunteered under the supervision of then-Assistant Principal Barbara White to learn the ins and outs of being a teacher. Lane explained that due to the time that she spent volunteering at PSES under White’s leadership, she was way ahead of the game when she got to her student teaching requirements later in her education. She said that she is glad that CCPS now has the Teachers for Tomorrow program for high school students to have the same opportunity that she had, and her daughter, who is a junior at Culpeper County High School, is taking advantage of this program, also at Pearl Sample.
The ceremony concluded with remarks from Bill Simms, the first and longest serving principal of PSES. Simms was received with a resounding standing ovation from all in attendance. Simms, who was Principal of Pearl Sample from 1972 to 1992, went on to serve on the Culpeper County School Board from 1996 to 2003.Reflecting on the event, Principal Dan Birch said, "It was a really great event. We were lucky to
have so many former and current staff members here. I hope they felt celebrated for supporting our kids for 50 Years.” Birch also wanted to ensure that his office staff was recognized for the months of preparation they put into this special event. “Also, thanks to Dr. Brads and Mrs. Karie Lane for all their support," he said.