Legendary Levittown Lunch Monitor Marks 95th Birthday

From Levittown Public Schools:

October 01, 2019

Anticipation and excitement began to build as students, staff, board and PTA members, along with building and central administrators, filled East Broadway Elementary School's all-purpose room for a surprise birthday celebration for lunch monitor Mildred "Millie" Bowman on Sept. 20. Ms. Millie, a beloved member of the East Broadway family for 46 years, turned 95 that day.

The room went quiet as everyone patiently waited for Ms. Millie to enter from backstage. Principal Jeanmarie Wink led the 95-year-old to the center stage and as she walked out, everyone cheered. Ms. Millie immediately put her hands over her mouth in shock.

"I was so overwhelmed, and I was so surprised," she said. "I never thought anything like this would happen to me."

She hugged Mrs. Wink and took a seat on the stage as the party began. Board trustee Michael Pappas gifted Ms. Millie with beautiful flowers and a dance party followed. Students on the stage sang and danced to "Happy" by Pharrell Williams and Ms. Millie, who has been known to brighten up the school with her dance moves, joined in the fun.

As another surprise to mark the milestone birthday, six fifth graders shared a poem about Ms. Millie using the letters in her name and students and staff sang a birthday song. In addition, Mrs. Wink presented Ms. Millie with a special birthday plaque and the East Broadway PTA gifted her with flowers and a gift. At the end of the event, everyone in attendance sang "Happy Birthday" and many students gathered to give Ms. Millie a hug and personally share birthday wishes.

"She's the best lunch monitor ever," said second grader Dahlia Diaz. "She keeps us safe."

This press release was produced by Levittown Public Schools. The views expressed here are the author’s own.