By Ruth SOWBY

La Crescenta’s Lincoln Elementary School celebrated its centennial birthday on the 100^th day of the school year. The celebration took place on Feb. 5 and was kicked off with an assembly when a new and improved DanD Lion mascot was revealed to much applause. After the assembly, students and staff gathered on the playground. All wore red shirts and assembled in the shape of “100.”  A drone flew over and took a photo of the grouping.

The party didn’t end there. Self-guided tours from 3:30-5:30 p.m. brought together teacher and students alums. Alum Karen Gertz Fries found her 1961 kindergarten photo in one of the yearbooks on display in the school gym. 

“The best years of my life were here. Both my son and daughter went to Lincoln, too,” said Fries. “I still keep in constant touch with my friends from here.”

Marilyn White Bayles’ sixth grade graduation from Lincoln was in 1962.  

“My favorite teacher was Dr. Reiden. He loved all of us,” said Bayles. “Four of my grandchildren went here.”

 Lincoln Principal Barbie Fariss couldn’t say enough about the school.  

“Lincoln is the most amazing community school,” she said. “We work with our parents, side by side.”  

Among the VIPs present were Shant Sahakian and Neda Farid, members of the Glendale Unified School District Board of Education. From Lincoln was Stacy Garnica, 2025-26 PTA president.   

The CVHS jazz band joined in the celebration, which included Hoon Cho, Brian Burke and Samantha Boyer – all graduated from Lincoln.