Member of first Apple-A-Day class returns to celebrate 30th anniversary

When Danna Gordon’s family moved to Newton in 1992, there were a lot of things that were up in the air. One of the most pressing issues facing Danna’s parents was finding a preschool for their young daughter. With the school year already in progress, they were struggling to find a school that still had openings when someone mentioned that Newton Presbyterian Manor new preschool in January.

And, just like that, Danna become one of the first students at Apple-A-Day preschool.

Three decades later, Danna returned to celebrate the school’s 30th anniversary as a guest of her nephew, Braxtyn—a current Apple-A-Day student.

“It was neat when my nephew Camdyn went through Apple-A-Day and now Braxtyn is there,” said Danna. “They both loved it!”

As for her own memories of the school, Danna said she is especially fond of the time she got to spend with her surrogate “grandma” at the community, which came as a result of the preschool pairing up students with PMMA residents.

“We were always so excited to get to hang out with our person,” said Danna. “We did things like arts and crafts, reading and snack time. I didn't have grandparents that lived close, so this was special.”

Now, looking at the unique atmosphere created by the school, Danna sees that it is not only a benefit to the children, but to the residents as well.

“It's really neat to see the residents interact with the children,” said Danna. “It was important to me as a kid, but now that I'm an adult I see how much the residents love the littles being around.”

After Apple-A-Day, Danna went on to attend Northridge Elementary and eventually graduated from Newton High School. From there, she attended McPherson College where she received a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Master of Education in School Counseling.

Danna is now back home in Newton—and back at Newton High School—where she works as a counselor.