The Class of ’77 can leave a lasting mark on the new LHS campus! The building is missing our alma mater’s mascot - the Bengal tiger!
A Bengal statue donation was discussed between myself (representing the Class of 1977), the Lewiston School District administrators, and Dwayne Clark, our fellow LHS classmate. Dwayne attended Webster Elementary, Jenifer Junior High and his sophomore year at LHS before moving to Walla Walla. He was raised in humble conditions, but Dwayne’s drive and work ethic combined with his vision to improve senior care resulted in him becoming the founder and CEO of Aegis Living.
Bids and designs for the statue were gathered by the school district. Dwayne will graciously donate $50,000 to help pay for the monument-size statue. A plaque in his honor and honor of the Class of 1977 will be placed on the statue. While Dwayne will make the primary contribution, there is still a gap between Dwayne’s donation and the amount needed to fund the project. The school district invites all members of our class to also contribute any amount they can to the project. A Bengal Sculpture account has been created by the school district to which interested individuals can send donations. Any amount of donation is welcome and appreciated. Our goal is to receive $5,000 in donations by spring of 2024.
A picture rendering of the Bengal statue will be placed on our MyEvent website and our class Facebook page. An update on donation numbers will also be posted on the MyEvent website. The statue will likely take over a year to be created and installed (possibly more). An unveiling ceremony will take place at time of completion and all 1977 classmates will be invited to attend.
If you would like to contribute to the Bengal mascot sculpture, please mail your check to the Lewiston Independent Foundation for Education (L.I.F.E.), 3317 12th Street, Lewiston, ID 83501. Indicate on the memo line or attach a sticky note indicating that your contribution is to help fund the LHS Bengal Sculpture. All gifts from identifiable donors will be acknowledged with a receipt. The L.I.F.E. account is a 501(c)(3) non-profit public foundation, and gifts are tax deductible. Your donation also qualifies for the "donation to an educational entity" tax credit on the Idaho return.
This is a unique opportunity for the Class of 1977 to make this kind of visible contribution to our alma mater. We are truly grateful to Dwayne and all those who join him in making a generous contribution. We will see you at the unveiling and at our 50th in 2027!
With kindest regards,
Jan Driscoll Barrett, Class President
