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Elementary Passes A History Test

Photo from Cynthia Garcia-Cintron

EGYPT LAKE -- Frances Gwen Pedregal, an Egypt Lake Elementary teacher for 36 years, shares her memories of the school. Pedregal retired in 2003 but returned on May 16 to celebrate the school's 50th anniversary.

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By COURTNEY CAIRNS PASTOR

The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 24, 2008

EGYPT LAKE - In its 50 years, Egypt Lake Elementary has seen six principals, thousands of students, dozens of portable classrooms and a school expansion. Its early years offered no air conditioning, and cows and horses roamed farmland across Sligh Avenue where apartments stand today.

But longtime teachers say one thing never changed - past and present employees are as much of a family today as when the school opened. They attend baptisms and funerals. They take over classes in emergencies without being asked. They share stories, inside jokes, advice.

"These were the best years of our lives," said Sylvia Onderko, who taught at Egypt Lake from 1960 to 1990 and returned to substitute after she retired. "This was home to us."

Retired teachers returned to Egypt Lake Elementary this month for its 1950s-themed Spring Fling. Female students and staff dressed in poodle skirts and ponytails. It was white T-shirts and greased hair for the men celebrating the half-century since the Hillsborough school district dedicated the school.

Frances Gwen Pedregal taught her entire 36-year career at Egypt Lake, retiring in 2003. She remembered the early years of voting on the school mascot, the eagle, and establishing the school colors. She also said her longevity at the school was not uncommon - many teachers spent decades there.

"The teachers who were here stayed," she said.

Relationships have endured past retirement as well. The retirees greeted each other at the Spring Fling with hugs and photographs of their grandchildren. They pored over Pedregal's scrapbooks of affectionate notes from students and staff photographs featuring beehive hairdos.

"When you're with them, it's like no time passed," Pedregal said.

They paused to remember Don McClain, Egypt Lake's first principal, who worked there from the school's opening until his death in 1988.

"He was like a father to all of us," said Norma Lopez, a teacher for 23 years at Egypt Lake who retired in 2003.

Rosa Couret, who has taught at Egypt Lake since 1984, organized the event to give current and past employees a chance to look back at the school's history. She is one of three staff members to have worked under all of Egypt Lake's principals, but she joked with the retirees about who had put in the most time at there.

"I want everyone to know that I did not open this school," she said, laughing.

That honor went to Nora Lamb, who pointed out that while the school was dedicated in 1958, it officially opened in March 1959. She taught at Egypt Lake for 33 years.

Couret's career began at Anderson Elementary in South Tampa, and she transferred after a dozen years when the school's enrollment dropped. She had not heard of Egypt Lake and didn't know where it is, but a coworker recommended it to her. She has not regretted the change.

"I felt at home immediately," she said.

Reporter Courtney Cairns Pastor can be reached at (813) 865-1503 or cpastor@tampatrib.com.

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