Over the last few years, several things have disappeared from this school that once gave it character and made it a welcoming and unique asset to our community. Pictures, paintings and trophies previously decked our halls and cafeteria. The renovations to our school were much needed and appreciated by all, but some would have liked to keep the traditions of our school, in our school. There are the people who argue that the ceilings are too high or that the tiles are too extravagant, but the community members and students alike notice the lack of character that once adorned our halls.

The new school hallways are designed for aesthetics, prompting natural flow and movement of our growing student population. The old halls were renovated, repainted and set off to begin their new life of handprints and pencil marks. There used to be murals painted on the hallway walls leading to the band room that were painted over and forgotten. I understand the need for work to be done in a building that has stood the test of time, almost 100 years old, but “in with the new and out with old” is not our school motto.

Some may remember the senior class pictures that formerly hung on the third floor near the old auditorium. These pictures were replaced by the newly acquired “Great Lakes” art. I’m not saying I do not like the new art, because I do. The idea is nice to decorate our halls with natural wonders that we are partial to in this area. However, there are past students that would like the class pictures to take their place on the walls of the third floors. Many tax paying alumni are proud to have this impressive school and all that it holds but wish that these walls would hold memories of all its students, new and old.