Many say that when one door closes, another one opens. This is true for Standard School which will be holding their last graduating ceremony on Friday, May 27.
Standard School is closing their doors to prepare to send their students to the new Wheatland Crossing School that is opening next school year. This new school will house students in grades K-12 from across the county with improved facilities and equipment.
Standard School has been a central hub to many since its early beginnings in 1959. Students from surrounding areas such as Rockyford and Hussar have attended Standard School for their education.
The small town population has resulted in small classes which have made strong connections between classmates.
Former grad of 1961 and teacher of Standard School for 20 years, Alan Bragg, reflects on his time as a graduating student, “We used to have a rule that no one was allowed to talk about grad until second semester because that was all anyone would ever talk about.”
Bragg also mentions the upside of having a small population.
“I am very proud of attending Standard. We try and make the best out of our small classes. You really get to know each other. There are probably students graduating this year whohave been together since they were in kindergarten. That is a very unique situation.”
Bragg hopes that the new school will work out for everyone involved.
The graduating class is not dwelling on the fact that they are the last to graduate from Standard School. According to grad coordinator, Tiffany Phillips, "The students are treating it like a normal grad year. The students next year will all still be graduating together.”
Wheatland Crossing School will offer more opportunities and equipment for students.
Valedictorian of Standard School 2016, Catrin Thomas says, "It is kind of sad to be leaving because I grew up there but the new kids are going to get to use all the new technology. I have to admit, I am a little jealous.”
Wheatland Crossing is also going to be housing a lot more students from the surrounding area.
“I am very excited to go to the new school. I am most excited about using all the new technology and meeting all of the new kids coming from different places,” says current Grade 11 student EricaLynn Skibsted.
