The community will celebrate the teaching career of 94-year-old Rose “Mama G” Gilbert with a gala in the newly renovated Mercer Hall at Palisades High this Saturday, March 9, at 4 p.m.
The Mercer Hall modernization project was funded by a $1-million donation from Gilbert, the school’s esteemed English teacher, who retired in late January after a 63-year teaching career. Likely the oldest classroom teacher in the country, she was still teaching three AP English classes.
Saturday’s event will include food, music and tributes from Gilbert’s former students and administrators.
The Mercer Hall renovations include wood paneling on the stage; sound panels that resemble waves on the ceiling; upgrades to the sound and lighting systems, new stage curtains, dressing-room build-outs, and new outdoor enclosed storage areas to house props, equipment and other materials for the drama and music departments.
Guests will also have a chance to visit the newly refurbished outside dining area in the back of Mercer, which will provide a space for VIP parties and an intermission area for theatergoers in the future.
Gilbert’s donation also paid for renovations of B-101 (now named Gilbert Hall), a smaller theater/classroom space.
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