Roper Elementary celebrates 25th anniversary

Roper Elementary School celebrated its 25th anniversary Sunday during an open house. The event featured music, guest speakers, history lessons about the school and its namesake, and - the main attraction for students in attendance - the ribbon cutting for one of the school’s two new rock climbing walls, paid for by the school’s parent teacher organization.

First-grade teacher Cindy Williams has been at Roper for 16 years. She’s had four daughters attend Roper and, prior to joining the school’s staff, was its first PTO president.

Williams shared stories on Sunday about the school’s early days and thanked everyone who has contributed to its success.

“Thank you for being a part of Roper’s story - you made it better for being here,” she said. “Thank you for continuing the stories. From the beginning has grown a wealth of great stories and I can’t wait to hear the new ones created in the next 25 years.” 

Roper is named for Hulda Roper, who in 1944 became one of the first female officers with the Lincoln Police Department. She also was crucial to opening CEDARS Home for Children, whose mission is to help children who have been abused, neglected and homeless achieve safety, stability and enduring family relationships.

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