Lynn biz group to take helm of contest

LYNN – When beloved pediatrician Walter Harrison moved out of the state last fall, countless Lynn families lost a trusted family doctor who had seen generations of Lynn’s youth come through his office.While the move left many without the doctor they had come to know and love, Harrison’s move was also a disappointment to teachers and students at the city’s middle and elementary schools who for years looked forward to Harrison’s end of the year essay contest.The contest, which asked students to write an essay about the health of their families and the city of Lynn, awarded a $50 savings bond to one fifth or eighth grader at each of the city’s middle and elementary schools.Now as the end of the school year approaches, the Lynn Business Education Foundation (LBEF) is resurrecting the contest in honor of late former Superintendent of Schools George F. Laubner.LBEF officials are still working out the details of what will now be called the Dr. George F. Laubner Academic Award with the School Department, but say that it will be similar to Harrison’s award, with one student in fifth or eighth grade at each school receiving a savings bond.A former Harrington Elementary School teacher, Laubner was superintendent from 1983-87, when he retired after 36 years in the department.”Dr. Laubner gave his whole life to this city and to education,” said LBEF Executive Director Fredrick Cole, who served as Laubner’s assistant for a portion of his tenure as superintendent. “We felt in his honor, we should name the award after him. We have worked with his brother John on what George would have liked the kids to do (for the essay).”The preliminary rules of the contest suggest that teachers in each school will choose two or three students who are strong both academically and in leadership roles and then pose the question “What part will education play in your lives and how will this help your family prosper?” which students will be asked to answer in essay form.The winners would receive a $50 savings bond and potentially a certificate from Superintendent Catherine Latham, which LBEF officials hope can be presented at a School Committee meeting.”The School Committee is always trying to get parents to those meetings,” said LBEF President Gayle Thomas. “What better way to get them to the meetings than to give this award away. We are still working out the details, but I can see that being something the School Committee would want to do.”Thomas and Cole met with Latham on Tuesday to determine the School Department’s role in giving out the award.Last summer, the LBEF began funding teacher development days, something that has since been taken over by the Lynn Teachers Union.”Lynn Business Ed provides ‘seed money,'” said Cole. “We give money for something to start and see if we can make it successful and see what happens with it.”