GARDEN GROVE : Teacher Has Party of the Century
If Leone Jackson has learned anything in a century of living, it’s how to have a birthday party with class.
Riding atop a white convertible Friday, Jackson cruised onto the Peters Elementary School campus, followed by a high school marching band. More than 700 children cheered, wished her a happy birthday and showered her with homemade gifts.
It was fitting for Jackson, who turns 100 years old today, to celebrate at school. A teacher since 1911, Jackson works part time as an English and Spanish instructor.
And Jackson’s granddaughter, Gwynne McGuire, is now a teacher at Peters Elementary.
“It was real nice,” Jackson said after the ceremony. She joked that few people would consider a 100th birthday “a cause for celebration.”
Students called Jackson “Grandma” throughout the event and sang “Happy Birthday”’ several times.
In return, Jackson taught the students a short skit about the flag in Spanish.
After retiring from the school district in 1968, Jackson served as the oldest volunteer in the Peace Corps.
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