Lincoln Park Academy in Palm Bay, Florida, received an unexpected package on a routine school day: a TI‑83 Plus calculator that had been missing since the class of 2006 took it home. The device arrived with no note, no return address and a postage cost of almost $10, indicating the sender paid a premium to return the school‑owned equipment.
Principal’s reaction
Principal Michelle Herrington, herself an alumna of the academy, described the delivery as both surprising and touching. “We were really appreciative that somebody 20 years later actually thought of Lincoln Park Academy when they were cleaning out their stuff and found their old high school calculator,” she told WPBF.
Who sent it?
The return label simply read “the class of 2006,” offering no clue as to which former student mailed the calculator. School officials have reached out on social media, encouraging anyone who recognizes the item or remembers borrowing it to come forward. So far, no one has claimed responsibility.
Why the mystery matters
Herrington emphasized that the story is about more than a piece of technology; it highlights the lasting bonds formed in small‑class schools. “The people that graduate from here, the students that graduate from here, they generally form really tight bonds because we have smaller classes,” she said. The academy, founded in 1923, lives by the motto established in the 1950s, “We do right because it’s right to do right,” a principle she hopes guided the anonymous donor.
School policy and the calculator
Under school policy, students are required to return all assigned equipment before graduation. Herrington noted that the calculator was not meant to become a souvenir, but the student who returned it will face no penalties. “They will not. And there is no obligation list and no money that is owed,” she assured.
What’s next for the calculator?
Because the TI‑83 Plus model is no longer in use at the academy, Herrington plans to display the calculator as a piece of school history. “I think we should put it on display. I think it’s something that we’re going to keep sacred and special,” she said.
Community response
Alumni have begun tagging former classmates on social media, speculating who might have mailed the device. Some even suggested a class‑wide vote to guess the mystery sender. The school still has more than 20 teachers from 2006 on staff, increasing the chance that someone might recognize the former student.
Invitation to the mystery donor
Herrington extended an open invitation: “If you are the person from the class of 2006 that returned this calculator, we’d love to know who you are.” She added that the sender should feel free to contact the school without fear of repercussions.
Reflection on alumni ties
The episode underscores the importance of alumni engagement in fostering a supportive educational environment. As Herrington reflected, the act of returning a long‑forgotten calculator may seem small, but it reinforces the academy’s commitment to integrity, community, and the enduring value of education.
Original reporting: WPBF West Palm Beach — read the source article.
