RIDLEY-THOMAS OBSERVES 100th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS OF ORGANIZATIONS IN THE SECOND DISTRICT

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 9, 2010                                                                                                                                     Contact:    Ed Maddox 213-974-2222

                                                                                                                                                                                James Bolden 213-200-5314

 

                          SUPERVISOR MARK RIDLEY-THOMAS OBSERVES 100^th ANNIVERSARY                           CELEBRATIONS OF ORGANIZATIONS IN THE SECOND DISTRICT

LOS ANGELES -- Highlighting the rich history and tradition of organizations serving in the Second District, Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas today acknowledged the centennial celebrations of Centennial Aviation Day at the Dominguez Rancho Adobe Museum and Lennox School District.

The Lennox School District began as the Jefferson School District on January 3, 1910, with the opening of Jefferson School.  This step was one example of the desire of the then-800 person farm community to distinguish itself from neighboring Inglewood.

At its inception, Jefferson School had a student population of 50. Today the Lennox School District is home to 10 schools, serving 7,300 students from kindergarten through 12^th grade, with two charter high schools ranked among the top 25 high schools in the country, according to the U.S. News and World Report's 2010 rankings.

“The list of accomplishments of the Lennox School District over the past 100 years is extensive, and establishes a tremendous foundation for assured success,” Supervisor Ridley-Thomas said.  “I am pleased to recognize the Lennox School District today for their 100 years of service to the community through educating young people.”

The Supervisor also led the Board of Supervisors in proclaiming June 12, 2010 as “Centennial Aviation Day” in the County of Los Angeles, recognizing the Dominguez Rancho Adobe Museum, which in 1910 granted a portion of Dominguez Adobe for the International Aviation Meet, signifying the birth of aviation in California.

 

 

As part of the celebration, the Museum will host a series of activities to celebrate the centennial anniversary of the air meet.

The property on which the museum currently stands was acquired by Juan Jose Dominguez through a land grant from King Carlos III of Spain.  It was originally known as Rancho San Pedro and in 1826 was renamed Dominguez Adobe by Don Manuel Dominguez.

The world's first air race was held in 1909 in France, where American pilot Glenn Curtiss surpassed Frenchman Louis Bleriot to win the Gordon Bennett Trophy, air racing's first important award, and earned the right for his home country to host the next international air meet.

“This historic event paved the way for the aerospace and aviation industry in Los Angeles,” the Supervisor said. 

“These activities will include opportunities for everyone in the County to learn about the aviation industry in Southern California.”

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