Wrightsboro Elementary School holds centennial celebration

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — A New Hanover County School is celebrating its centennial anniversary. A ceremony held Friday was an exciting time for both current and former students of the school. 

Although Wrightsboro Elementary School celebrated 100 years in existence in 2009, its current building, off Castle Hayne Rd., is now hitting the century mark. 

More than a hundred students, teachers, school board members, and Wrightsboro alumni were in attendance. Students in the Wrightsboro Chorus performed the National Anthem and second graders in the Safari Squad performed a spirit routine. 

Michelle Faison is the Principal of Wrightsboro Elementary. She said she’s most proud to see how students led Friday’s celebration.  

“Our school is about our students. They’re the reason that we do everything, everyday. So, having them involved and letting them lead such a momentous celebration is so important,” Faison said. 

Zoe Barnhart is a 3rd grader at Wrightsboro. She said she’s looking forward to learning more about her school and its history through a guided tour offered at Friday’s celebration.  

“Mostly the tours because some of the stuff I didn’t get to see. My favorite thing about being a cool cat is, well, I like cats,” Barnhart said. 

Former student, Susan Herring, said Friday felt like a reunion for her, her classmates, and teachers.  

“To see all these people, it’s like homecoming, the retired teachers. But the biggest thing to me about this school was the family atmosphere. It always felt like family,” Herring said. 

Herring said family like Bland Chadwick, who was her teacher in the 1970’s. 

“I started school here in 1947 and then I ended up coming back in ’72 and working as a teacher’s assistant in kindergarten and stayed here for 28, almost 29 years,” Chadwick said. 

After the celebration, attendees strolled down memory lane by looking at artifacts and pictures of the historic school that were put on display for Friday’s special event. 

The Wilmington Tree Commission also dedicated and planted a tree in the school’s front lawn to mark Friday’s Celebration.