By Scott Harvey
Ladonia – Graduates of the Fannindel ISD will be on hand this homecoming weekend to celebrate the school's 50th class reunion. The event commemorates the merge of Pecan Gap and Ladonia schools in 1960.
"I just can't wait to see everybody for the 50th anniversary and can't wait to get back with my family and friends," says Cindy Derrick, a 1981 graduate and special education instructor at Fannidel ISD.
Ricky Beeler is the President of the Ex-Students Association and says the name Fannidel was derived from a contest.
"There was a student in the fifth grade who wrote down the word fannin and the word delta, because of course Ladonia is in Fannin County and Pecan Gay is in Delta County," Beeler said. "And he just for some unknown reason decided Fannindelta was too long so he chopped the 'ta' off."
The event starts Friday night with a community bonfire, and then continues with a parade at 10 A.M. on Saturday.
Officials will then present the Wall of Honor luncheon at noon. Tickets for the luncheon can be purchased at the door.
The homecoming game begins at 5 p.m., and will be followed by a free town square dance at 8 p.m. in downtown Ladonia.
Beeler hopes between 250 and 300 former students can attend. He encourages any friends of the Fannidel ISD to also attend.
More on the district's 50th class reunion can be heard during KETR's Friday Feature, which airs Friday during The Lead at 10 a.m. and also during All Things Considered at 4:45 p.m.