LIMA, Ohio (AP) — Lima City Schools is celebrating a major milestone this year as Lima Senior High School marks 70 years of education and Spartan tradition.
The school traces its roots back to 1955, when the Lima South Tigers and the Lima Central Dragons combined to form the Lima Senior Spartans. What were once cross-town rivals joined together, with the first graduating class of the newly unified school completing their studies in the spring of 1956.
The original Lima Senior High School was built on a 10-acre plot of land owned by the district on Pierce Street, where Liberty Arts Magnet now stands. In August 2004, the current Lima Senior High School building opened, housing students from freshman through senior year.
To commemorate 70 years as the Spartans, the school will host a special celebration during this weekend’s home basketball game.
Athletic Director John Zell said alumni will play a prominent role in the festivities.
“We’re inviting all alumni to attend. We have quite a few activities involving our alumni. We’re going to have an alumni pep band. We’re going to have alumni cheerleaders. We’re also going to have honorary team captains throughout the many decades of Lima Senior basketball,” Zell said.
The celebration will take place Saturday, with the junior varsity game beginning at 1:30 p.m. and the varsity game tipping off at 3 p.m. A special anniversary program will be held at halftime. Displays highlighting school history will be set up in the gym lobby, and 70th anniversary memorabilia will be available for purchase.
School officials say the event is designed to honor the generations of students, athletes and alumni who have helped shape Lima Senior’s legacy over the past seven decades.
