LC alums gather to mark school’s 100th anniversary

It’s going to be a tiger of a day when Lewis and Clark High School celebrates its 100th year with a big open house Saturday.

The downtown school is the alma mater of thousands, a small group of whom have dedicated countless hours to put on Saturday’s gala event.

“The celebration is alumni driven,” said Robin Fiorillo, who is on the planning committee. “And it’s driven by Bob Lobdell who knows everything there is to know about the school and then some.” Lobdell is a former student, retired teacher and coach at LC and he’s often referred to as Mister LC.

“He’s been amazing,” said Fiorillo, who said that the planning group has had monthly meetings for the past eight months.

Fourth Avenue, in front of Lewis and Clark, will be closed Saturday until 4 p.m. for an antique car show. And visitors can come inside the school for a self-guided tour throughout the day.

“The class of 1965 will be there helping with the tours. Everyone is welcome to come by and walk the halls,” said Fiorillo.

The program, which will feature speakers such as City Council President Ben Stuckart, Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, prominent alumni and LC Principal Shawn Jordan, begins at 1 p.m. in the auditorium.

An organ concert and a performance of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s “The Builders” by the current school choir and the alumni choir are other highlights of the day. “The Builders” is traditionally a part of Lewis and Clark’s graduation celebrations.

Fiorillo, who works for Spokane Public Schools administrative office, said her connection to Lewis and Clark is really her parents.

“They are both part of the class of 1960,” said Fiorillo, “and yes, they are going to be there.”