Newcomerstown will celebrate middle school's 100th anniversary on Sept. 1 and beyond

NEWCOMERSTOWN − A celebration is planned to mark Newcomerstown Middle School's 100 years of service from 1 to 5 p.m. Sept. 1. Principal Brian Collins said the festivities will include an open house and tour of the historic building, as well as a car show followed by a small parade into the auditorium where a proclamation ceremony will take place at 5 p.m.

The school was completed in 1923. Its doors opened to students in 1924, and it was officially dedicated on Sept. 4. It was the high school until 1967 when a new school was built, and has since housed the village’s middle school students.

In 2001, the school underwent a significant renovation and expansion, enhancing its facilities to better serve the community. Over the past century, the school's auditorium has hosted a variety of events including the follies, dance recitals, and concerts, showcasing its vital role as a gathering place for the community.

“We decided to host this event to honor our community's dedication to educating its youth and commitment to traditions," Collins said. "The fact that Newcomerstown has a building still in operation after 100 years highlights the stewardship the district and community have shown in preserving our heritage. Newcomerstown Middle School holds thousands of memories for our community members, and this event is a chance for us all to celebrate those memories together.

The goal is for families to connect over the long history of the building," he continues. "We will have students help conduct our building tours with the dual goal of explaining our current learning spaces and listening to community members describe what the building looked like when they were in school. Throughout the year, students will participate in projects and activities designed to connect who they are as Newcomerstown Students with their past."

The Arts Center of Newcomerstown is also taking part in the celebration by designing the logo for the event, as well as creating souvenir T-shirt graphics. The shirts should be available for pre-order in the coming weeks.

Michael Wise of the arts center said they are raising $10,000 to pay for various free concerts and shows the arts center will sponsor throughout the school year via its outstanding Arts for All Program. Groups booked so far are Black Box Ensemble Theatre, Trumpet in the Land Players, Little Theatre Original Productions, Dover High School Steel Drum Band and Jazz Band, and a professional orchestra that will recreate an original Manuel Yingling concert with period uniforms will be the grand finale of the series.

Collins said the hard work and dedication of the maintenance staff has kept the school going throughout the years. That includes Cody Hadley, Terry Sproat, Tracy Bourne, Mike McKibben, Jess Arth, and Mike and Amber Patterson.

Committee members who helped organized the 100 year celebration include Michael Wise, Rachel Sindlinger, David Branch, Allen and Linda Collins, David and Karen Archer, Corey and Debbie Rehard, Shawn Dakin, Caleb Bradley, Cathy Ringer, Shelley Cline, Terri Miller, Ronda Kenney, Donald Stevens, Wendy Rummell, Jennifer Baker, Marilyn Kramer, Abby Collins, and Newcomerstown Superintendent Jason Peoples.

More information on future activities as well as ways community members can share their memories of the school will be posted to its Facebook page throughout the year.

This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: Newcomerstown will celebrate middle school's 100th anniversary on Sept. 1 and beyond