Rosinton School celebrates 100 years

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ROSINTON, Alabama — As it has countless times before, the community of Rosinton came out Saturday, Nov. 16 to support its school, and to celebrate its 100th anniversary.

The school’s cafeteria was filled with 100 years of memories: old photographs, newspaper clippings, and school annuals, along with information on the history of the school.

Outside, under tents, the Rev. Wesley Enfinger of Lighthouse Baptist Church gave the blessing and a meal was served consisting of pulled pork, Cole slaw, chips and drinks, and a variety of desserts, followed by a short program.

Following an introduction by school Principal Andy Benton, event coordinator Tiffany Driver and Rosinton School students led in the Pledge of Allegiance.

F.B. Ellison presented a history of the school and former faculty reminisced about their time at the school, including former principals Joel “Mr. E” Earlandson and Dr. Theresa Hardin.

Rosinton School was first built in 1919 with two classrooms and a library with Lillian Kennedy as its first principal. It was the consolidation of three small schools: Antioch, Rosinton and Wilcox. It was the first in the county to be built on the “State Aid Plan.”

The first school had two teachers with an enrollment of 140 students in grades first through 10th grade. In 1921, a third teacher was added and in 1923, two more classrooms were built and a fourth teachers was added. At the same time, Holinger and Styx River schools were also consolidated.

Robertsdale High School was built in 1925, at which time the ninth and 10th grades were moved and Rosinton became a first through eighth grade facility.

Several more additions were built to the old school through the years before a new school was built a half-mile down the road in 1999, built on property donated by the Cooper family.

Today, the school includes about 300 students. With the addition of Benton, who became the school’s principal following the retirement of Theresa Hardin in 2013, the school’s page on the Baldwin County Board of Education website lists 40 faculty and staff.

Baldwin County School Superintendent Eddie Tyler also attended Saturday’s celebration.