David Emanuel Academy dedicates gymnasium to first headmaster David L. Beecher

On Wednesday, May 21, during their Honor’s Day Program, DEA’s Head of School Haylee Free presented family members of the late David L Beecher with a dedication plaque, naming DEA’s gymnasium after the former lifetime supporter and first headmaster. In the fall of 1970, Mr. Beecher became headmaster at David Emanuel Academy, a position he held for seven years. Mr. Beecher’s unwavering and principled guidance inspired his faculty and staff, but most importantly the hundreds of students that benefited from his example of an unshakable commitment to DEA and his constant concern for them as individuals. Mr. Beecher’s passion for and dedication to the fledgling school enabled it to thrive and add new classrooms, a football field and a gymnasium. Over the years, this gymnasium has served as a centralized location where families, friends and students have gathered and celebrated many occasions – from graduations, award ceremonies, chapel services, theatrical plays, pageants, proms, back-to-school open house meetings to basketball games. Like this gymnasium, Mr. Beecher served as one of the heartbeats of David Emanuel Academy. In addition to headmaster, Mr. Beecher also served on the Board of Trustees of David Emanuel Academy for many years, helping to supervise the overall direction of the school. His devotion to David Emanuel Academy for over half a century has made him one of the most beloved members of the DEA family.