Jessup leaves lasting impact on Lincoln Trail Elementary

In a rapidly changing academic world, creating a program that lasts more than 20 years is rare.

But students at Lincoln Trail Elementary School learned about the history of the annual Veterans Day program on Friday as the school honored retired Lincoln Trail Principal Lee Jessup.

While at Lincoln Trail, Jessup developed the Veterans Day program — which is now a staple in four of the five Mahomet-Seymour schools — 23 years ago.

Jessup, who was principal at Lincoln Trail from 1981 to 2005, passed away Aug. 20, 2017.

Although many school districts give students and staff Veterans Day off, the Mahomet-Seymour School District has been honoring Veterans by staying in school and inviting the service men and women to a student-led ceremony since Nov. 4, 1994.

Described by loved ones as a “true patriot,” Jessup is the one who spearheaded the event.

With a grandfather, father, brother and children in the military, Jessup wanted students to know the importance of family, country and the freedoms people who live in the United States enjoy.

“We had family that was involved in Vietnam,” his widow, Beverly said. “We got to see all that growing up. He said, ‘If I’m going to be in school, these kids are going to learn how to treat the Veterans and the country.”

Each ceremony at Lincoln Trail includes members of the color guard displaying the flag, a speaker, patriotic songs and the opportunity for former and current members of the military to join students in the gymnasium.

“We could have taken the day off, but he just felt like the kids would learn more if we just stayed in school and did that program,” retired teacher Patti Stack said.

Prior to the ceremony, students are also encouraged to identify their hero, whether or not they served in the military, by including a picture and a small paragraph that is display in the hallway.

Lincoln Trail Principal Jeff Starwalt said that more than 20 years later, students still hold the Veterans Day Ceremony in reverence.

“We’re trying to get our students to understand how important these people are and the sacrifices they made so they understand what Veterans Day really is,” Starwalt said.
“The behavior is impeccable on this day,” he continued.

Even though Jessup retired in 2005, he continued to visit Lincoln Trail for the annual ceremony.

Starwalt said that Jessup either knew every veteran that came to the ceremony or immediately introduced himself if they were unfamiliar.

“He was the first one who would get up and shake a hand when someone talked about their service,” Beverly Jessup said. “He appreciated them.

He’d buy their meal if they were sitting behind us; he’d say give me the check.

“He didn’t have to know them, it was just part of his nature.”

Mahomet native and retired Navy Petty Officer Andy Harpst said the Veterans Day ceremonies are a very important part of the Mahomet community.

“It’s an opportunity to learn a little bit about military service, and the experiences and sacrifices of Veterans and their families,” he said. “If nothing else, it’s enlightening for the kids in that they may learn that someone in the community that they’ve known their whole lives is a Veteran, yet the kids never knew about that person’s service.

“Also, these ceremonies often spark an interest in military service in the students that may result in them serving; whether it’s for a short time, or an entire career.”

While Jessup was principal at Lincoln Trail, students got to know active military personnel on a more personal basis through a pen pal program.

Harpst received some of those letters in the late 1990s when he was stationed aboard the USS Wasp (LHD-1).

“Students began sending letters and care packages to Mahomet residents who were serving in the Armed Forces,” Harpst said. “I received many letters and packages from Lincoln Trail students while the Wasp was deployed to the Mediterranean Sea.

“It was great to hear from people “back home,” especially the kids,” he said. “I enjoyed corresponding them, answering their questions about what I did in the Navy, and sharing my experiences with them.”

In remembrance of Jessup, Lincoln Trail staff invited his wife and children to lead veterans into the Veterans Day ceremony on Friday.

Jessup’s son, Josh spoke to the students about his dad’s commitment to Veterans Day.

“My dad stood for many things and worked tirelessly to instill thosevirtues into his children, students, staff here at Lincoln Trail and the community of Mahomet,” Josh Jessup said.

“He was a man of personal integrity and fortitude, and he believed in and taught about the pillars of character: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship.”

Josh went on to say, “Like my dad, the brave men and women here today in uniform, and all those who served around the world, and those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice throughout history, they are doers, not viewers. Doers.

“I believe and my dad believed that this country was founded by doers, not viewers. People who believed in a cause and did something about it.”

Josh extended the challenge to the third- through fifth-grade students and staff in attendance to be doers, not viewers.

He encouraged them to make an impact, instead of an impression.

More than 40 current and former Mahomet-Seymour teachers recognized the impact Jessup made on the Mahomet-Seymour School District by donating a bench to Lincoln Trail in his honor.

Starwalt said the bench will be placed in front of Lincoln Trail.

“We all worked under him, so we wanted to honor him in some way,” retired teacher Nancy Mougey said.

Seven retired teachers gathered on Nov. 7 to present a plaque with Jessup’s favorite bible verse and the bench to his wife.

“We were a family,” Meachum said.

“You could be yourself and upfront with him,” she continued. “You could yell and scream at him one day, and he’d yell and scream right back, but everything was always OK. He always had our back.”

“Under him, there was a cohesiveness,” retired teacher Carole Chapman said. “He stood up for the teacher. Even when he talked to the students; you’re not going to treat my teacher this way.

“There was always that possessiveness. He was always on our side.”

Jessup also served the Mahomet community on the Cornbelt Fire Department, the Mahomet Chamber of Commerce, the Mahomet Area Youth Club, the Mahomet Village Board of Trustees and by volunteering his time at the Mahomet United Methodist Church.