Community Corner
Crooked Billet Students Celebrate School's History During Annual Ceremony
The annual Crooked Billet Day ceremony, held May 2, celebrated the patriotic spirit that binds Americans and honors the fallen soldiers throughout U.S. history.
Crooked Billet Elementary School students donned their annual bonnets and tri-cornered hats in honor of the Revolutionary War heroes who fought for freedom on the school grounds 236 years ago. The annual Crooked Billet Day ceremony, held May 2, celebrated the patriotic spirit that binds Americans and honors the fallen soldiers throughout U.S. history.
Students, faculty and administration dressed in their colonial garb to commemorate the Battle of Crooked Billet, which was fought in Hatboro on May 1, 1778. To begin the outdoor ceremony, students raised the American flag and laid a tribute wreath at the monument located on school grounds.
Following this ceremony, four fourth and fifth grade students read their award-winning essays about the Revolutionary War and Crooked Billet. These students were fourth graders Sarah Schmon and Miriam Worley, and fifth graders Wadner Simon and Emily Miller. In traditional conclusion to Crooked Billet Day, fifth-graders danced the Virginia Reel as their peers and the community clapped to the beat.
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To end the day, students were treated to red, white and blue cupcakes from the Crooked Billet Home and School Association.
“Today was a wonderful day to commemorate and remember the heroes of the Battle of Crooked Billet,” Principal Kelli Sendel said. “It was great celebrating my first Crooked Billet Day with all of the students and staff, as well as so many families and members of our community.”
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The Battle of Crooked Billet occurred when revolutionist under the command of General John Lacey were attacked in the early morning hours by the British Redcoats, led by Lieutenant Colonel Ambercromby. The rebel troops had stopped on what is now school land to rest during their journey to deliver fresh food to troops at Valley Forge. Twenty-six of them died in the surprise attack, including John Downey, a young schoolmaster.