Ribbon cutting marks Desert Wind Middle School’s official completion

School staff, students and community came together Wednesday evening to celebrate the completion of Desert Wind Middle School.

During the standing room only ceremony in the school’s new gym, masters of ceremonies Kylie Ormrod and Allen Wilburn welcomed the crowd to the ceremony and guided them through the festivities.

The Tiger cheer squad performed, rallying the crowd with their chant: “We’re fired up to win. We’re fired up to fight. Everybody’s cheering for orange, black and white.” Student Body President William Huggins led the Pledge of Allegiance followed by “The Star Spangled Banner” played on the saxophone by student Vaughn Kosmatka.

Choir teacher Michelle Scott led her students in “We’re All In This Together” from the original “High School Musical.” The choir changed the lyric from Wildcats to Tigers, making the song more for Desert Wind.

The school band, conducted by teacher Kevin Floth, played two songs. The sixth and seventh grade band played “African Folk Trilogy” while the eighth graders played “Halo 3.” They ended their performance with the Desert Wind Fight Song, which they wrote themselves.

Several key speakers offered remarks. Mark Snider of McCarthy Construction told the crowd, “It takes a lot of people working together to make this happen. Thank you for letting us be a part of it.”

Don Brubaker from Gilleland Brubaker Architects said that the tradition in his family on Thanksgiving is to say at least one thing they are thankful for. Extending that sentiment to the ceremony, he said, “I’ll tell you what I am thankful for. I am thankful for the Maricopa Unified School District; you are great to work with. I am thankful for the governing board, Dr. Flores and Burnie Hibbard, but I am most thankful for the students. Thank you for your cooperation and support.”

Superintendent Dr. John Flores began by introducing current governing board members Jim Chaston and Tracy Davis, along with newly elected members Lori Glenn, Geoff Goddard and Carrie Vargas.

Flores thanked the facility team who spent roughly 400 hours on the process of designing the school and both McCarthy Construction and Gilleland Brubaker for everything they did, as well as for their patience. He thanked teachers and staff for all their accomplishments, saying, “We did it well.”

He encouraged students to go home and, “Use a four letter word. Tell your parents ‘I love you.'” Flores thanked the parents for their support of the administration and, above all, for the support of their students. “Without our parents, our teachers are not as successful. Without you, excellence in education is almost impossible,” said Flores.

Principal Isaac Perez addressed the group, “Good Evening, Tigers!” The student body returned his greeting with an enormous “roar.”

“I appreciate everyone being here,” said Perez. He asked for a round of applause for McCarthy Construction, who provided food for everyone. He thanked Dr. Flores, Hibbard and the parents, telling them, “You send us your best every day.”

Perez also recognized the Desert Wind staff. “No significant learning takes place without significant relationships. That’s what our teachers do,” explained Perez.

Assistant Principal Joe Veres and school board members held the ribbon, which Perez cut, as the band played the school’s fight song.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, students took groups of guests on tours of their new campus.

Submitted photo