UDHS dedicates last piece of new high school
7hH CDUGLnDlV’ nHw nHVt LV finDlly complete as Upper Dublin High 6FhRRl RIfiFLDlly GHGLFDtHG thH nHw performing arts center Sept. 14.
The dedication of the new arts wLnJ mDUNV thH RIfiFLDl EHJLnnLnJ RI the new high school, allowing students, faculty, staff and members of thH FRmmunLty tR UHflHFt Rn thH SDVt 50 years at Upper Dublin and look forward to the future.
The state-of-the-art facility cost $120 mLllLRn DnG wDV thH fiUVt VFhRRl construction project to be approved through a state referendum.
In attendance for the event were state Sen. Stewart Greenleaf, R-12, state Reps. Madeleine Dean, D-153, Tom Murt, R-152, and Michael Gerber, D-148, and Montgomery County Commissioners Josh Shapiro and Leslie Richards.
The dedication ceremony kicked off with an opening musical performance of “Something’s Coming” IURm “WHVt 6LGH 6tRUy,” Ey .HLth Spencer, a Broadway performer and member of the Class of 1989.
After some brief opening remarks, a video presentation titled “A RetURVSHFtLvH LRRN Dt thH 3DVt FLIty YHDUV” wDV SlDyHG GRFumHntLnJ nRt only the history of Upper Dublin, but the country as a whole. The video included pop culture footage from movies and TV shows from each decade, pictures of students and faculty through the years and featured interviews with faculty, alumni and students offering perspective on their time at Upper Dublin.
Greenleaf noted the beauty of the finLVhHG FRnVtUuFtLRn, mHntLRnLnJ that he visited the site during and after construction and the difference was amazing.
“Upper Dublin is a really special community,” Greenleaf said. “And I’m not just saying that because I’ve represented you for so many decades. But because it is. And it is because if you drive by the community you see it’s easy on the eyes … it’s a well-developed community. But just as important is that education has always been a high priority.”
Greenleaf went on to say that thH FRmmunLty DV D whRlH EHnHfitV when quality education is valued.
Shapiro highlighted the strength of leadership that it took to undergo the magnitude of construction.
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together, student body, the administration, the faculty, the leadership of the board, is truly amazing,” Shapiro said. “And it’s not just amazing because of the buildings that were erected … it’s about the rich legacy in this district. And it’s about a community that understands the direction that we are going.”
Afterward, a ceremonial key to the school was presented by Gilbert Architects Inc.
The event also featured a presentation of a gift of a Steinway piano and a time capsule presentation by Upper Dublin student JRYHUnPHnW RIfiFHUV BHn hramer, president; Cory BRUJPDn, YLFH SUHVLGHnW; LDyOD BXGOLn, VHFUHWDUy; and Jennifer Harchut, treasurer. hramer said the time FDSVXOH wLOO EH fiOOHG wLWK D copy of the school’s 2012 yearbook, an agenda from a school board meeting, “The Hunger Games” novel, a playbill from the school’s production of the musical “Chicago,” a calendar, a copy of the school literary magazine Rhapsody, a construction helmet, a government textbook, a copy of that day’s mhiladelphia Inquirer, an imhone box, a VHnLRU SLFWXUH IURP WKH fiUVW day of school and a Cardinal T-shirt.
The time capsule will be buried and opened in 50 years in the year 2063.
“that will life be like in the fall of 2062?” hramer asked. “that new technology will there be? till the students at Upper Dublin High School still get super excited for spirit week and coronation? till the Eagles KDYH finDOOy wRn D 6XSHU BRwO? :KDW wLOO OLIH EH like when the time capsule is opened in 2063?”
Upper Dublin Superintendent Michael mladus called the dedication a “once-in-a-lifetime moment” for students.
“New high schools are not built very often,” mladus said. He said they’re built once every 50 to 100 years and the theme of the day’s ceremony was the best of yesterday, the best of today and the best of tomorrow. “vou are the best that this community has.”
Additionally, retired SuSHULnWHnGHnW CODLU “BXG” BURwn -U. DGGUHVVHG WKH DXdience and explained how he’s watched Upper Dublin “evolve” over time to beFRPH D fiUVW FODVV LnVWLWXWLRn.
The ceremony was FDSSHG wLWK Dn RIfiFLDO ULEbon-cutting ceremony and performances by the student a cappella group Vlu singing “Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m vours” by Stevie tonder and a standing ovation after a performance of “This is the Moment” from the musical “Jekyll and Hyde” again by Spencer.