Edward Lee McClain Day celebrated with $250,000 gift from Roosas

The Highland County Press

This year's Edward Lee McClain Day was held Saturday, Sept. 27 in the high school cafeteria.

Greenfield Exempted Village Schools Superintendent Quincey Gray began the ceremony with remarks and introductions. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by McClain High School Cadet First Lt. Jayden Lanning. 

The first guest speaker was Danny Long, who has portrayed Edward Lee McClain every year during this event and reprised the role at Saturday's ceremony.

Also on the ELM Day program was Larry "Rock" Roosa, a 1955 McClain graduate and a founder of Edward Lee McClain Day a decade ago. He was introduced by Ron Coffey.

During his speech, Mr. Roosa announced a $250,000 bequest following his passing to the Greenfield Exempted Village Schools.

"My wife, Linda, and I decided some time ago to bequeath $250,000 to Greenfield Exempted Village Schools. We do so to honor the McClains," Mr. Roosa said. "As Mr. McClain so eloquently said years ago, 'this is to promise the greatest good for the greatest number for the longest time.'

"The overseers of this will be Principals Jason Potts and Matt Shelton, former Greenfield City Manager Ron Coffey and Highland County Press owner Rory Ryan."

Mr. Roosa first presented the idea of taking a day each year to honor the McClains; and each year, he and his wife, Linda, try and return to Greenfield for the event from their home in Newport, Tenn. Mr. Roosa often speaks of the truly unique school and his pride and gratitude for having been a student in Greenfield. 

The ceremony closed with remarks by McClain High School Principal Matt Shelton.

Following the event, guests were invited to tour the school, which remains largely unchanged from when it was dedicated more than a century ago. 

Note: Edward Lee McClain was born on May 30, 1861. In November 1881 as a young entrepreneur, he founded the E.L. McClain Manufacturing Co. Following his successful business, E.L. McClain and his wife, Lulu, gave the people of Greenfield "The Gift," which came to be known as Edward Lee McClain High School. It was dedicated in September 1915.

For more information on the history of McClain High School, please visit the Greenfield Historical Society web page at http://www.greenfieldhistoricalsociety.org.

To stay informed about what is happening in the Greenfield Exempted Village School District, you can check out the district website at greenfield.k12.oh.us.

(– Special thanks to Ron Coffey.)

Pictured below are Rock and Linda Roosa. (Photo courtesy of Ron Coffey.)