Community Celebrates Heritage at 48th Annual Germanfest
“What’s unique here [in Klein], is that the people who grew up here are still here,” Klein Historian Steven Baird said.
On March 1, 2019, members of our community gathered for the 48th Annual Germanfest, where the deep roots and rich, German culture in Klein ISD is celebrated.
“This is always a partnership between the Klein Historical Foundation, Klein ISD, and Trinity Lutheran Church,” Klein Historian Steven Baird said.
Former Board Member and founding family member, Edwin G. “Butch” Theiss recognized during Germanfest.
The majority of the Klein ISD founding families are of German descent—a fact that is reflected by the homage paid to these families through many of our schools’ names.
“It’s actually really awesome to be here,” Klein Cain student Charise Edmond said. “My middle school, Ulrich, is named after all of these German people which I thought was really cool.”
A traditional German dinner prepared by Klein Nutritional Services left guests stuffed with homemade bread, roast beef and a slew of slides.
“We served hand-crafted, authentic German fare which represents the cornerstone of Klein ISD’s German heritage,” Klein Nutritional Services field supervisor, Steve Malveaux said.
Throughout the duration of Germanfest, guests learned about German culture by participating in children’s games, hosted by Klein Cain German students, and were treated to performances by traditional German bands, Das ist Lustig and the Texas Dutchman. Students from the Klein Cain Men’s Choir performed for the Germanfest audience along with 90 members of the Blackshear Elementary Children’s Choir.
“It’s something I look forward to every year,” Ehrhardt and Krimmel descendent, Mary Jane Tautenhahn Jones said. “I shared the tradition with my own children and with my grandson. I’m looking forward to them continuing this tradition with their families, as well.”
The main focus of Germanfest is to build community and celebrate the foundation that Klein ISD was built upon.
“What’s unique here [in Klein], is that the people who grew up here are still here,” Klein Historian Steven Baird said. “I think we need to know the history so we can continue to, not only thank those founding families that came here, but to instill those values that first started the community.”
In true Promise 2 Purpose fashion, Klein ISD is committed to celebrating culture and diversity while remaining gracious and joyful as we honor the families that established the foundation on what is now a community determined to ensure that every student enters with a promise and exits with a purpose.
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Klein ISD has an established 84-year history of excellence and innovation in education with unique pathways for EVERY student in our care to ensure learners are college, career, military, and life ready. With recognition for STEM, athletics, fine arts, and academics from highly-esteemed organizations, it is clear that Our Shared Vision of every student entering with a promise and exiting with a purpose is a reality for EVERY student who walks through our doors.
About Klein ISD
Klein ISD is a school district in Klein, Texas, located in northwestern Harris County. The district spans approximately 88 square miles and serves more than 53,000 students in 33 elementary schools, 10 intermediate campuses, one high school program of choice, and 5 high schools.
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