Fountain Dedication at Old St. Mary's Celebrates Rocklin Third Graders

Rocklin Third Graders sit by the newly dedicated spinning ball fountain at Old St. Mary's Chapel which they donated though neighborhood fundraising.  Photo Courtesy Ronna Davis.

ROCKLIN, April 28, 2011- The Rocklin Historical Society welcomed 78 third graders from Valley View Elementary School to Old St. Mary’s Chapel for the dedication ceremony of the chapel courtyard’s spinning ball fountain.  The funds for the fountain were raised by third graders from the Rocklin Unified School District over a period of three years via neighborhood coin drives spearheaded by Valley View third grade teacher, Nancy Lohse.

“The schools sent the coins to Valley View and we counted them - a feat in itself!” said Lohse.  She further explained that transporting the coins with the help of the Rocklin Historical Society was quite the sight, “there was always a big spill on the way to the parking lot!”

2011 RHS essay contest winner Emma Navarre unveils the plaque at the dedication ceremony.
Photo courtesy Ronna Davis.

At the ceremony, a plaque for the fountain was unveiled by Emma Navarre, the winner of the 2011 RHS essay contest.  Emma’s essay detailed her class trip to historical sites around Rocklin. 

“My favorite area was St. Mary’s Church that my teacher Mrs. Lohse helped move to its new location,” Navarre wrote in her essay. “The church was amazing.  My class got to ring the big, shiny bell.”  The essay also discussed what the class learned at the Rocklin History Museum:  “When ladies did not want their gloves to shrink, they put them on wet!”

Members of the Rocklin Historical Society discovered at the ceremony that the museum trip had a lasting positive effect on many of the third graders as well when a young artist presented a picture she painted of Old St. Mary’s.

Young artist with her rendition of
Old St. Mary's Chapel.
Courtesy of Ronna Davis.

“When the class came to the chapel on their tour a few weeks back, I showed them photos, including the water color painting that Geri Wittbrod had given the Historical Society,” stated Rocklin Museum docent, Ronna Davis.  “I said, ‘You could do something like this’ and lo and behold, one little girl showed up Thursday with a nice painting of the chapel! “ 

Nancy Lohse was recognized for her years-long leadership in the fountain fund raising drive with an award presented at the Rocklin Historical Society Recognition and Installation Dinner held in January.  Lohse and the third graders of the Rocklin Unified School District have left a wonderful legacy for the Historical Society; the fountain is a delight to all who view it and will continue to be enjoyed by visitors for years to come.

Children enjoy fountain while Lohse (in yellow)
pauses for a picture with Emma Navarre.
Photo courtesy of Ronna Davis.

Read Excerpts from Emma's Essay:

"Rocklin history is terrific.  The city of Rocklin is a amazingly important area.  Let me tell you outrageous Rocklin history that rocks!

Just days ago my class went on a Rocklin history field trip where we learned all about Rocklin history.  First off my class went to Joel Parker Whitney's tomb.  We all admired the granite beauty!  A cool fact is that the rock plaque was donated by Rocklin's third graders.

Next we hopped on the bus and went to the brick house where Joel Parker Whitney's house used to be, but sadly they tore the amazing sight down!

...then we all traveled down to see the doors of Joel Parker Whitney's house at the Sunset Whitney Country Club.  Those are some terrific doors!

I love Rocklin.  Hopefully you can explore Rocklin history someday!"