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FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- More than a period of past was connected show Thursday greeting arsenic students, unit and families gathered astatine Heaton Elementary successful Central Fresno to observe the school's 100th anniversary.
The cafeteria was filled with students, parents and educators marking the milestone, which included reflections connected the school's past and hopes for the future.
School leaders spoke astir the campus's bequest and continued success, highlighting generations of students who person passed done its classrooms.
"Where they person gone, what they person accomplished and the quality they person made successful the world, which makes maine deliberation of the future," said Heaton main Cindy Purves, encouraging students to ever springiness their best.
Fresno High School main Amy Smith besides addressed the crowd, reflecting connected Heaton Elementary's relation successful students' lives.
"Heaton has been a spot wherever young minds travel to beryllium nurtured and find who they are," Smith said.
Superintendent Misty Her and different territory leaders shared remarks arsenic portion of the ceremony.
Students besides took the stage, performing with the schoolhouse set and choir arsenic portion of the celebration.
A centerpiece of the day lawsuit was the unveiling of a large-scale creation installation titled "100 Years - 100 Faces," led by creation teacher Tamela Ryatt.
The task features much than 100 photos and portraits placed passim the campus, showcasing students, staff, families and alumni dating backmost to the 1950s.
Ryatt guided attendees done the installation, explaining the stories down the images.
She said the show covers much than 2,000 quadrate feet and includes photos dating backmost astatine slightest 80 years, disposable crossed the school.
"One of the parents came to prime up their kid earlier this week and they could spot their girl and they lit up, it brings everyone together. Our walls are filled with parents, aunts, uncles, students, assemblage members and they emotion it, it brings radical together," Ryatt said.
The task took respective months of enactment and dedication, Ryatt said, but the effect has made the effort worthwhile.
"What I emotion seeing is the effect from the students and the staff!" she said.
Ryatt said she is thankful to everyone who participated successful the task and is already looking guardant to celebrating again adjacent year.
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