Upon entering the school’s auditorium, memories of packed class meetings, crowded halls and the dreaded SATs flooded back to a group of four 1978 grads who returned to get one last look at the building.
“We were a really big class, I think we graduated 218. Remember having three to a locker?” recalled Mary Sue Dyer-Akin.
“This is really bittersweet,” said Helen Hoye-Gonzalez. “I graduated from here, both my kids graduated from here. There are a lot of memories in this building.”
Like most in attendance, M-CHS assistant principal David Robinson said that saying goodbye to the old building was a bit surreal, but notedthat most students and faculty were ready to start a new chapter in the 152,000 square-foot, $41 million, state-of-the-art high school, set to open in August.
In November 2012, Cortez voters in Re-1 School District approved a $21.7 bond issue to help build a new high school on 35 acres near Walmart. The remaining cost is covered by a state Building Excellent Schools Today (BEST) grant.
“There’s a high level of excitement for the new school. It’s been very cool to see the community involvement and see them get behind this project,” said Robinson. “(Seeing the old building close) is a mixed bag for a lot of people – it’s been a huge part of their lives.”
Stacey Hall, activities director for M-CHS, remembers playing in the halls of the school as a child in the early 1960s. Her father was hired on as football coach for the school in 1958 and stayed on until 1981. She attended M-CHS, as did her children and grandchildren. She’s worked for the school district for 31 years.
“It’s hard. I played in this building, I remember them building it. I remember coming back down to the office with my dad and watching film after games. There are a lot of family memories here, but at the same time, I’m so excited about the new building. The opportunities it’s going to give our kids and grandkids are incredible,” she said.
The new M-CHS, at 418 S. Sligo St., opens for classes on Aug. 26. There will be a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Aug. 14, with back-to-school nights Aug. 10-14.