When she pulled up to the school and saw the message, “Happy Birthday Mrs. D” written in the snow in blue spray paint, Principal Jan Doellinger knew it would be a day full of surprises, but she had no idea what staff and students at Central Lutheran School-Newhall had in store for her.
After Principal Doellinger finished reciting morning announcements in the gym Friday, Jan. 30, the staff filed in singing Happy Birthday and wearing the uniform of the day, a white T-shirt with a picture of Mrs. Doellinger from her teen years, complete with cat-eye glasses studded with rhinestones. After the school day was underway, each class took its cue from the overhead PA system. When they heard the tune “Happy Birthday,” the classes each took turns strolling through Mrs. D’s office with each student depositing a piece of chocolate onto her desk. (Besides ice cream, chocolate is one of Mrs. D’s favorite things.)
It all led up to the finale…a lunch that Doellinger will not soon forget. When she walked into the cafeteria, she did so to the Happy Birthday song being pounded out on the piano, serenaded by the CLS student body, past and present.
Benton Community Choir Director John Hayden, whose children attend CLS, put together a choir of CLS alumni who came back for lunch on this special day and sang a few original songs written by Mr. Hayden. The humorous lyrics incorporated some of Mrs. D’s favorite and not-so-favorite things.
Special surprise guests seated at the head table were Doellinger’s parents Ioleta and Gil Schanbacher and husband Rev. Jerry Doellinger. The school cooks baked cake for the entire student body while parents and staff scooped ice cream.
