PTA Presidents Susan Warshaw and Beth Allen welcomed everyone to Pennekamp's 50th Anniversary Celebration.

The Pennekamp Student Council greeted friends who came from all over to join us!

It was so wonderful to see former PK families, staff, and administration return to celebrate our golden anniversary.

After a warm welcome from our PTA presidents, Principal Dale Keldrauk gave a history of Pennekamp and introduced our many distinguished guests.  MBUSD Board of Trustees President Amy Howorth, MBUSD Superintendent Dr. Gwen Gross, Manhattan Beach Mayor Mitch Ward, Manhattan Beach Councilwoman (and PK parent!) Joyce Fahey and Councilman Richard Montgomery, California Assemblyman Ted Lieu, and representatives for Congresswoman Jane Harmon, State Senator Debra Bowen and Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe all presented Pennekamp with commendations for our 50 years of serving Manhattan Beach students.

Following the ceremony, we had dancing, field games and tours of the Pennekamp 50th Anniversary Garden.

Pennekamp memorabilia  including t-shirts, sweatshirts, pictures, and yearbooks were on display.

Everyone enjoyed the display of

antique cars and

the old fashioned fire truck!

In-N-Out burgers were a big hit!

Here's the winner of our kids' Hula Hoop contest and one of our many talented Limbo contestants.

But it was the adult Hula Hoop contest that had the fiercest competition.  50th Anniversary Celebration chair Debbie Zoppi concedes to Manhattan Beach councilwoman Joyce Fahey and eventual winner PTA President Susan Warshaw.

Everyone had a blast dancing and celebrating Pennekamp's 50th birthday.  Here Mrs. Hart, Ms. Terry and Ms. Hill dance the Macarena.

And then everyone formed a huge Conga line which went all around the playground!

All good things must come to an end.  At the end of a wonderful day, Compton, Ms. Cathee and Nelson ride off into the sunset.

Thank you to Robin Cleland and Debbie Zoppi and their committee for organizing our 50th Anniversary Celebration.  We'd also like to thank all of our parent volunteers for making this wonderful day possible.

See additional 50th Anniversary Celebration web pages including our field games and our 50th Anniversary Garden.