Among the guest speakers was School Board Vice President Janet Garrett. She said, “The students of Oberlin are our most valued asset and are the beneficiaries of this new facility. Thank you, Oberlin, for never failing to support our children.”

Sixth grader Hazel was among four students invited to give remarks. “Today we honor generations of students, educators, and community members who built the foundation long before the first shovel touched the soil,” she said. “The bricks may change, the classrooms may look different, but the mission remains the same: Inspire young people to think deeply, live courageously, care for others, and believe that they can make a difference in the world.”

Kaira joked that she was looking forward to attending a school that had doors on the bathroom stalls and proper air conditioning. “I also hope that the new middle school will be a place of comfort, and a place where students feel safe.”

Jayla reminisced about her first day at school and shared the personal impact a school building can have on students, but she said what made it special were the people. “Friends are one of the best parts of school because they’re the people who made me excited to come every day.”

Alyssa spoke about the future responsibility of being an eighth grader in the new school and how to be an example to the younger students. “We want to lead by showing kindness, respect, school spirit, and pride in our community. We want future students to walk into the new middle school and immediately feel supported.”

All four girls will be attending the new school as eighth graders when it opens.