Another mission focuses on benefits for the students of today. Your Alumni Association awarded $4,000 in grants to teachers for instructional materials and equipment and $8,000 in student scholarships this past year. In addition, the Association published three issues of the Lincoln Log for members, assisted classes with reunions, dedicated 4 granite benches in Memorial Plaza, maintained a database of 37,000 graduates, arranged a Day at the Races, organized the Wall of Fame Banquet, sponsored the Sports Hall of Fame Banquet, constructed the Sports Hall of Fame display board, held a very Crab Feast in the school cafeteria, and assisted alumni looking for former classmates.

        We are busy! However, everyone does his/her share of the work and it ends up being very satisfying and fun. If you would like to volunteer, let us know. We can always use more assistance. The very successful President Abraham Lincoln Crab Feast was held on Saturday, February 8 at the school. The evening began with a tour of the campus at 5:00 p.m. conducted by the JROTC in their dress uniforms. Many alumni had not seen the campus since graduation. Needless to say, they were impressed with the facilities and condition of the school.

        The students presented a program in the auditorium (yes, for you early graduates, there is an auditorium now) at 6:00 p.m. Under the direction of first-year music teacher, Mr. Gunderson, the string orchestra played five musical selections. Latrice Holland, a student and award winning singer, sang "His Eye is on a Sparrow."

        The Visual and Performing Arts Department did three preview scenes from "Guys and Dolls." This show is the major production of the year and it will be presented in the school's auditorium on March 5, 6, and 7.

        The Abraham Lincoln Cheerleaders demonstrated cheers and synchronized dancing.

        And, of course, we all stood proudly and sang the school hymn. Not surprisingly, the alumni remembered the words.

        Everyone had a great time at the Crab Feast. The crab was delicious and everyone had all they could eat. In fact, the leftover crab was sold for "takeout" and the alumni enjoyed it later in the week.

        If you missed this wonderful event, plan now to attend the next one on the Saturday before Abraham Lincoln's birthday in 2004.

        The Abraham Lincoln boys basketball teams have been winners again this year. Having won the City Championship three our of the last four years, the varsity is now the big favorite to repeat for another year. Three games remain on the regular schedule and Lincoln has beaten all three of the teams already this year.

        The junior varsity is playing in the finals of the City Championship Tournament.

        Again, the officers and board thank you for your support. It is a proud feeling to be a Mustang today! Go Mustangs!