Gold Cards Will Admit Senior Citizens to District Events Free of Charge

	State Representative Elinor Z. Taylor holds up an enlarged replica of the senior gold card as she accepts congratulations from School Board President Rogers Vaughn and Superintendent of Schools Dr. Alan G. Elko.

Gold Cards named in honor of State Representative Elinor Z. Taylor are now available to retired senior citizens aged 60 and above who reside in the West Chester Area School District. Bearers of the cards will be admitted free if charge to all district events, including sports contests, high school musicals, and drama productions.

The cards may be obtained through the District Communications Office in the Spellman Administration Building at 829 Paoli Pike, West Chester. Interested seniors are asked to call the office at 484-266-1171.

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Alan G. Elko unveiled the Gold Card concept and presented Mrs. Taylor with Card #1 at the School Board meeting on September 25. He noted that Mrs. Taylor will retiring as the representative from the 156th district this year after almost 30 years of service. The 156th district covers much of the school district.

“She is a graduate of our West Chester Schools and she taught in the West Chester School District,” Dr. Elko reported.

“For many, many years as a State Representative, she has been a supporter of the School District,” he continued. “She has come into our schools to announce grants for playground equipment, has talked to students about Pennsylvania history and government, and has just been there for the school district in every way.

“But her legacy isn’t just her service to children. She has been a strong supporter of higher education and has also supported our senior citizens.”

In recognition of her service, the back of each card reads: “Gold Cards are issued in honor of the Honorable Elinor Z. Taylor and her service to senior citizens as state legislator from the 156th district, 1977-2006.”

Mrs. Taylor thanked Dr. Elko and the Board for the honor. She recalled that she began first grade on the second floor of the West Chester public library. She lived in West Goshen at the time and under ordinary circumstances would not have been able to attend district schools. However, her father – Harold I. Zimmerman, after whom the East High School Stadium is named – was a teacher and coach in the district. Mrs. Taylor was able to attend the schools for that reason.

She graduated from what was then West Chester High School and after college taught in the district for four years. She said she also coached hockey, basketball, and volleyball.

She recalled that her husband, the late William M. Taylor, helped rescue trophies during a fire that destroyed the former high school on North Church Street in December of 1947.

“So I just feel that this is the greatest school district, and I have been most privileged to represent all of you in Harrisburg,” she told the School Board, the administration, and the general audience at the meeting. “I thank you for your strong support through the years. I thank you for your encouragement. I wish you all well, and we’ll be seeing you at the games.”

 

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