Alum Frankie Ballard helps Lakeview celebrate 100 years of Spartan Pride

The extended Spartan family is joining its alma mater this week as Lakeview schools celebrates 100 years.

And one of its own is happy to help lead the charge.

"What an honor to be asked back for this," said Frankie Ballard, a 2001 Lakeview alum and country singer with eight singles on the country charts. "I  am back. I just think the community should celebrate a great high school like this. I am kinda double blessed, getting to spend time with the music department and the athletic department.

"It's really exciting to get to talk to the young guitar players and baseball players because you never know, maybe the next great talent will be a Spartan."

Ballard has come home to Battle Creek to be part of the weekend long Lakeview Centennial Celebration. He worked with Lakeview students in a high school guitar class on Thursday and told his story of how he went from Lakeview student to being a singer and songwriter in Nashville.

Ballard then helped the students learn the classic song, "Ring of Fire," which he will play with the group during festivities on Saturday. The former Lakeview athlete was also scheduled to throw out the first pitch on Thursday at a varsity baseball game as an honorary captain.

"The purple still runs through my veins, for sure," Ballard said. "It always will. This place gave me a great foundation and I will never forget that opportunity to dream here. That is what high school was to me, a place where you can dream about being what you want to be.

"I also get to see some old friends, old teachers. That is really, selfishly, one of the best parts of coming back for this. You never know who you get to see, or who I will see over the weekend. So it's kind of a surprise party for me."

Thursday's events were the start of an extended weekend celebration, highlighted by a Community Open House & Performance Showcase on Saturday. Students, staff, alumni, families, retirees and community members are invited to join the festivities from 1-5 p.m. at Lakeview Middle School.

"I think Lakeview has always strived for excellence over the years and this is a good time to show that and to show our diversity as a school," said Interim Superintendent Cindy Green, from the Lakeview Class of 1976. "Excited about the events this weekend. Just to be able to see people from the different decades that have gone to Lakeview and see how excited they are to be a part of this.

"I am just glad they are doing this. It would be really easy to put something simple out, but we are doing so much more to celebrate this. This is a way to let people come back and see what Lakeview is about today. Have them come back to see the newer school  and the newer facilities and to bring people back with some good feelings."

Throughout the festivities, guests will get a glimpse of the teaching and learning going on at Lakeview through displays of student work and interactions with various student clubs. The high school robotics team will be on hand to demonstrate its T-shirt-launching robot that will hurl centennial shirts.

Another Saturday highlight will be a performance showcase, starring current students and alumni. The Spartanaires, LHS Jazz Band and the Lakeview Spartan Singers will take the stage. The LHS Burmese Club will give a special performance of a traditional bamboo dance. Alumni performers will include the vocals of Alexis Ballard (Class of 2005), Altamiece Carolyn Cooper (1999) and educator Carolyn Ballard. Nick Davio (1999) will perform an original ballad commemorating the centennial.  Current Lakeview student Ada LeAnn, seen recently on network television on the "American Song Contest," and Ballard will complete the lineup.

Alums Rick Jones (1970), Martha Thawnghmung (1984) and Tha Par (2009) and community leader Talia Champlin will be recognized as part of the district’s Centennial Celebration as well. Jones, Thawnghmung, and Par will each receive a Distinguished Alumni Award. Champlin will receive the inaugural Community Spirit Award.  

Contact Bill Broderick at bbroderi@battlecreekenquirer.com. Follow him on Twitter @billbroderick