Fantastic Fifty: Zeman alumni celebrate golden anniversary of school community

April 8, 2025

Scientists have discovered that no two zebras have the same pattern of stripes, which makes each individual a special and important member of the group.
 
Hundreds of students, staff and local residents have formed the same types of educational stripes at Zeman Elementary School over the past 50 years, as everyone there is special, important and appreciated.
 
A large group of teachers, administrators and students celebrated Zeman’s positive stripes this spring during a 50th anniversary open house. Named after longtime Lincoln Public Schools teacher and administrator Anna Zeman, the school opened in 1974 at 4900 S. 52nd St. It has served as a launching pad to success for hundreds of Zebras ever since.
 
The open house turned into a happy reunion for many Zeman alumni like David Douglas. He was a fifth grader in 1974 and had Judy Bartels as his teacher. He said it was exciting to see how Zeman’s floor plan had transformed since his time as a Zebra. The school’s initial open-concept design did not include any walls or doors in four large classroom areas. A renovation project in 2010-11 created a more-traditional look in the hallways.
 
“It’s a lot different,” Douglas said. “All this was open, and all we had were little dividers between the rooms.”
 
Longtime Zeman teachers Chelley Peterson and Eileen Schmeichel said the wide-open design was just one of many elements that made Zeman special over the past five decades. They joined a lineup of open house speakers that included Zeman Principal Rudi Wolfe, Lincoln Board of Education member Piyush Srivastav and Foundation for Lincoln Public Schools President Natalia Wiita.
 
Peterson and Schmeichel told an enthusiastic audience that the close-knit nature of staff and families was one of the biggest zebra stripes that set Zeman apart. Peterson has taught at the school since 1988 and Schmeichel began leading students in the 2000-01 academic year.
 
“Thank you, each and every one of you, for coming today,” Peterson said. “You’re here because you love Zeman, and you’re here because, as Ms. Wolfe said, we are a part of a family. We consider Zeman one of the best-kept secrets, and yet we love sharing our secret with the people who come through our doors.”
 
“We are in a very special place,” Schmeichel said. “You all know that because you’re all here, but thank you so much for coming. Thank you so much for celebrating with us in what I like to call the Goldilocks of schools. We’re not too big. We’re not too small. We’re just right.”
 
Wolfe said the school’s mission has been to continue the LPS legacy of Zeman, who began teaching at Clinton Elementary School in 1928. She became assistant principal at Havelock Elementary School in 1946 and began her 20-year tenure as principal at College View Elementary School in 1948. Zeman placed great value on providing an environment for all students to thrive in and develop their potential to the fullest.
 
“As our founding staff wisely noted, it’s the people – our scholars, our staff, our families – that truly makes Zeman a special place,” Wolfe said. “And today, we celebrate what truly makes Zeman special. We are a learning community that is dedicated and committed to seeing scholars succeed.”
 
Srivastav said staff members deserve the credit for helping Zeman graduates make positive contributions to society. Clothing styles, educational technology and the building’s layout may have changed since 1974-75, but the care and commitment shown to Zeman children have remained the same for 50 years.
 
“I want to thank our excellent staff here at Zeman for making Ms. Zeman’s vision come true every day,” Srivastav said. “We owe a debt of gratitude to our dedicated educators. You have poured your passion, expertise and tireless efforts into shaping the minds and hearts of our students. Your dedication to fostering growth, intellectual curiosity and connectedness have enriched our students’ lives and left an indelible mark on our community.”
 
The audience heard a special presentation of “Don’t Stop Believin,” a song that was written by Zeman students and music teacher Jenna Brookens. The mood in the room remained bright after Wiita shared that Zeman had been selected as this year’s recipient of an $11,000 Harley and Shirley Bair Playground Endowment Fund grant from the Foundation for LPS. The school will use the grant money for playground improvements and renovations. The community can continue to contribute to the Fund a Need campaign to help the school reach its goal.
 
Dozens of alumni like Douglas toured the building after the program. Several reminisced about what it was like to be at Zeman during the first year, and some carried old class photos with them to show to friends. Many gave warm hugs to teachers and classmates who shared the same pride in their school.
 
Wolfe said those moments showed why Zeman has been and will remain a special part of the lives of many LPS students.
 
“Fifty years is a testament to the dedication, the enduring spirit and the commitment of Zeman’s remarkable school community,” Wolfe said.
 
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