People mill around at the grand opening ceremony of Sidney High School Friday afternoon as they enjoy refreshments at the new building’s unveiling. Several dignitaries including Gov. Heineman said a few words as several hundred people turned out for the event. (Wayne Bauerkemper/The Sun-Telegraph)
One For The History Books: SHS Celebrates Grand Opening
By Jessica Bauerkemper jessicab@suntelegraph.com
(Created: Monday, August 17, 2009 5:45 PM CDT)
SIDNEY - The third time is a charm. After two failed school bond issues, Sidney finally passed a $15.85 million school bond in September 2007 by a slim margin, preparing Sidney for a new chapter in the history book.
With the help of 53 percent of Cheyenne County voters, the Cheyenne County School Board of Education District No. 1 began work on a state-of-the-art educational center, breaking ground in May 2008.
More than one year later, several hundred people gathered at the commons area of the new Sidney High School to celebrate the grand opening of the new learning facility, a project more than seven years in the making.
Boy Scout Troop 90 carried flags and led the pledge of allegiance before SHS graduate Jordan Davis sang the “Star Spangled Banner” to begin the official dedication ceremony of the more-than-100,000 square-foot school.
A formal laying of the cornerstone was performed by the Grand Lodge Officers A.F. & A.M. of Nebraska.
“It is my distinct honor and pleasure to be here,” Steve Mattoon, school board member and Past Grand Master said. “This is the same ceremony used when George Washington laid the cornerstone at our nation’s capital.”
With the usual pomp and circumstance of traditional Masonic ceremonies, Grand Secretary Reg Kuhn read the list of time capsule deposits.
It contains two copies of The Sidney Sun-Telegraph, an issue of a 1927 Sidney Telegraph extracted from the old SHS building’s time capsule, a copy of the Star-Herald, a phone book, cell phones, a 2002 school calendar, a dollar bill, a 1971 silver dollar, a Nebraska football guide, a Colorado Rockies baseball card, a 2009 Fair handbook, CDs, a Cheyenne County Community Center schedule, a 1902 Indian head penny, a J.C. Penney and a Cabela’s catalog, a 2008-09 SHS yearbook, a 2009-10 Red Raider handbook and a program from the dedication ceremony.
The Masonic officials reminded the crowd about the importance and symbolism of cornerstone laying.
“This is a place that is ready to serve and a center for learning and growth,” Grand Orator Dennis Rix said. Sidney has “met the challenges of change and this school is a testimony to that.”
Sidney school Superintendent John Hakonson said the project “did not happen overnight.”
After the two prior attempts failed, Hakonson said the school board knew it needed to “focus of replacing just the high school” after winning the support of voters.
The deterioration of the mechanical system, insufficient power outlets, ADA shortcomings and no fire sprinkler were just a few reasons why Hakonson said a new building was needed.
After the public voted in favor of a new high school, Cabela’s donated $1 million to the project.
“It is rare to see a private sector donation to a public project,” Hakonson said.
In honor of that contribution, the gym was named the Cabela’s Athletic Facility.
In addition to a new gym, SHS boasts 32 security cameras, ADA approved elevators, air conditioning, 11 miles of data wiring donated by ADC Digital, smart board compatibility and a fire sprinkler system.
Hakonson said the board listened to the tax payers request to keep spending at a minimum, so the staff and volunteers worked hard to “salvage what we could.”
Much of the furniture, cabinetry, sound equipment and computers were saved and moved into the new building.
Sen. Ken Schilz congratulated Sidney on its impressive addition.
“Look at what happens when a community comes together,” he said. “This is quite an achievement in a rural community.”
He said a community’s most important job is to educate children.
Nebraska Commissioner of Education Roger Breed said he was honored to have been invited.
He directed his comments to students, asking them if they will be willing to make the same sacrifice in the future as was made for them with the building of a new school.
“One day you may be asked to do the unknown,” he said.
Gov. Dave Heineman followed with a few remarks on the benefits of being a Nebraskan and the quality of education in the state.
“My vision for Nebraska is to provide the best education and to create high-paying jobs to keep people in the state,” he said.
Heineman said Nebraska ranks second in the nation for unemployment and first in the nation on ACT scores.
He said Nebraska operates on a simple philosophy of ‘don’t spend it if you can’t pay for it.’
“You showed how much you care by how much you invested,” he said to the crowd.
Sidney High School will open tomorrow.
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