Page 12 The power of Paula Celebration USA and “Catch


the Spirit” families, friends and former members gathered for a 25-year reunion, and to celebrate the retirement of their ebulliently patriotic leader, Paula Burton. “The Flag Lady’s” patriotism


comes from the heart. She was a child in the Netherlands during World War II; her father escaped from a German labor camp, his business gone, and his country- men starving. The Dutch were elated when, in May 1945, Ameri- can planes dropped food. Her family immigrated to America with only two suitcases. A teacher by trade, Paula’s


reach extended to millions of stu- dents in 50 states. Her odyssey began in a Taft Elementary fourth grade classroom in 1988. The dis- covery that her students did not understand the word “indivisi- ble,” evolved into a 25-year career sharing her pride in America with students across the nation.


Take the pledge To celebrate the 100th anniver-


sary of the Pledge of Allegiance, Paula created the nonprofit Cel- ebration USA and organized a synchronized “Pledge Across America.” Over 100,000 manuals were distributed to every school in the nation and letters sent to every governor, encouraging par- ticipation in the National School Celebration Pledge Centennial. Locally it took place at Fred Kel- ly Stadium, with 1,000 students from all 37 OUSD schools and 6,000 spectators joining millions of students across the nation in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. Paula and JoLane Jolley wrote


a song to illuminate the meaning behind the Pledge of Allegiance. Groups requested performances of “The Pledge of Allegiance Song” and the student performance group, Catch the Spirit, was born. The troupe spent hours in rehears- als, expanded its repertoire, and represented California in the 1995 Washington, D.C. Independence Parade, winning the “Americana Theme” award. Over 200 students have per-


formed in the Catch the Spirit ensemble. Former Spirit members acknowledge the “friends for life” made through the long rehearsals, travel and shows. Elliott Dykman, now a college graduate, recalls: “My grandpa was in the service and died when I was one. When I grew up I could fit in his uniform. After we performed, we would go into the audience and shake hands with the veterans. It was my way of giving back for my grandpa.” Other memorable moments from Spirit alumni: a standing ovation after a performance at Constitu- tion Hall; taking a U.S. history test and singing the CUSA song for answers; a veteran trying to stand for the first time in months, when hearing the Marine Hymn. The National School Celebra-


tion was so well received, that, at the request of the U.S. Department of Education, the name of the an- niversary date was changed to Constitution Day. In 2005, legis- lation requiring all public schools to provide an educational exercise related to the Constitution, cel- ebrated throughout the nation on Sept. 17, was passed. Paula Burton is retiring, but her


spirit is not.


Foothills Sentry


Tuesday, August 4, 2015


Paula Burton, in blue far right, with Catch the Spirit alumni at the Celebration USA 25-year reunion.


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Photo by Cliff Robbins


Celebration USA performed in the Huntington Beach 4th of July pa- rade. The float and the reunion were made possible by the generosity of the late Villa Park Mayor Bill MacAloney and his wife Gwen.


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