Honoring the past while building for the future
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Groundbreaking on new ALAH High School
Students, staff, alumni, board members, and community supporters gathered last Thursday morning to witness the beginning of a new chapter in Arthur history as officials broke ground for the district’s new Arthur Lovington Atwood Hammond High School.
Superintendent Shannon Cheek opened the ceremony by recognizing the significance of the former high school building that stood on the site for more than 100 years.
“For more than 100 years, the previous building served as a cornerstone of education in our community,” Cheek said. “Within its walls, thousands of students learned, grew, competed, performed, and prepared for their futures.”
He noted that generations of families created lasting memories in the building through classrooms, athletic competitions, performances, graduations, and everyday school experiences.
“While saying goodbye to a building with such a rich history is not easy, we recognize that the true legacy of a school is not found in its walls,” Cheek said. “It is found in its people—in the students, staff, families, and community members who have made this district what it is today.”
Cheek said the district is not leaving its history behind but instead building upon it.
“As we stand here breaking ground, we are not leaving that legacy behind,” he said. “We are building upon it.”
The superintendent described the new high school as a facility designed to provide students with modern learning spaces, enhanced technology, improved safety features, and opportunities that will prepare them for college, careers, military service, and life beyond graduation.
“Today, we honor the past, celebrate the present, and invest in the future,” Cheek said.
Cheek also thanked the Board of Education for making what he described as a difficult but necessary decision focused entirely on students.
“I would like to thank our Board of Education for the courage and dedication it demonstrated in making a decision that was completely based on what is best for students,” he said. “The decision that you made will have a lasting positive impact on our teachers, students, and communities for many years to come.”
He also recognized former board members Kristie Mechling and Suzi Berkich, who were serving when the decision was made to pursue construction of a new high school.
Board President Beth Wiley followed by thanking the many people who helped move the project from concept to reality.
“Today has been a long time coming,” Wiley said. “We know that today is the result of countless hours of conversations, meetings, planning, second guessing, questioning, debating, compromise, and so much more.”
She described the groundbreaking as an investment in the future of the district and praised Cheek for his leadership throughout the process.
“Despite the challenges, despite the critics, you kept moving us forward through it all,” Wiley said. “Your impact will be felt for generations to come.”
She then highlighted several features of the new facility, including a gymnasium seating approximately 1,100 spectators, three science laboratories, expanded agricultural and technical education spaces, a new greenhouse, additional parking, enhanced security features, maker spaces, collaborative learning areas, and expanded staff workspaces.
She also drew applause when mentioning a feature many students and staff have anticipated for years–“And of course,” Wiley said, “there will be air conditioning.”
President Wiley emphasized that the project extends beyond the physical building.
“Today, we are not only providing for the future for our students, but for our staff and our communities as a whole, and for that we are beyond proud,” she said.
Student Council President Brynlee Moore represented the student body and spoke about what the new school means for current and future Knights.
“Today, we are not just celebrating the construction of a new building—we are celebrating the future of our school district and the beginning of an exciting new chapter for every Knight who will come after us,” Moore said.
While acknowledging the importance of the school’s history, Moore focused on the opportunities that lie ahead.
“The students of ALAH have incredible potential,” she said. “They deserve a school that matches that potential, a school that inspires them to dream boldly and gives them the tools to turn those dreams into reality.”
Moore said the new building represents much more than classrooms and hallways.
“This new high school represents opportunity,” she said. “It represents classrooms built for innovation, spaces designed for collaboration, and facilities that will better equip students for the future.”
She added that the project sends an important message to students.
“It sends a message to every student who walks through its doors: You matter, your dreams matter, and this community believes in your future,” Moore said.
Looking toward the future, Moore noted that generations of students will benefit from the decisions being made today.
“Years from now, students will walk these halls without realizing that this very moment was when their future began,” she said. “They will compete, create, discover, and achieve things we can only imagine today.”
As shovels turned dirt and construction officially began, Cheek, Wiley and Moore repeatedly returned to a common theme: honoring the district’s proud history while preparing for the next century of educational excellence.
“Over one hundred years ago, this community built a school that would serve generations of Knights,” Moore said. “Today, we have the privilege of doing the same. We are honoring our past, embracing our present, and building a future filled with possibility. And I cannot wait to see all the incredible things that future Knights will accomplish within these new walls”
With construction now underway, district leaders said the new high school will stand as both a tribute to the past and a promise to future generations of ALAH students.