Courtesy Stewart Middle School, Tyler, Texas

The community and supporters of A.T. Stewart Middle School will gather this weekend to celebrate 50 years of history at the Tyler ISD campus.

Founded in 1963, the school is named after the Rev. A.T. Stewart, a distinguished teacher, pastor and author, whose family donated the land for the campus, according to a history of Tyler public schools compiled by Zella Lewis.

All past and present Stewart students along with community leaders, ministers and friends are invited to attend.

The event is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Holiday Inn Express, 5701 S. Broadway Ave., in Tyler. Tickets cost $30 each.

It will include lunch, a program with speakers who will reflect on the school’s history and a display of school memorabilia and photos.

Also, a surprise related to the school’s mascot, the gopher, will be revealed at the event.

Commemorative T-shirts featuring a picture of the school and its namesake will be sold as well.

Funds raised through the event will go toward scholarships for graduating seniors from Robert E. Lee and John Tyler high schools.

For more information, contact Gloria Washington at 903-747-3648 or Carl Johnson at 903-787-8033.