Principal John Bach said, "This is a special moment, a rare and very satisfying moment."
By John Tredrea
School and community spirit were at their peak for dedication ceremonies of the new gym at Hopewell Valley Central High School on Dec. 10.
The gym and a new auditorium are the main items in a nearly complete $10 million expansion of the high school.
Several hundred residents turned out for the event, as did many public officials, past and present, including former schools Superintendent Robert Sopko and former HoVal Athletic Director Steve Timko.
As the crowd gathered in the gym, the CHS cheerleaders danced to Kool and the Gang’s "Celebrate" under hundreds of black and gold balloons that were suspended from the ceiling in a net. The school’s mascot, Bulldog, entertained the crowd with comical antics.
Master of ceremonies was CHS Principal John Bach, who said, "This is a special moment, a rare and very satisfying moment." Mr. Bach said the gym was "the school’s largest classroom," where students will "learn valor, discipline and teamwork. This is where people can learn lessons that will stay with them the rest of their lives."
Superintendent Nick Lorenzetti hailed "the foresight and dedication of Bob Sopko and former school board President Sally Turner, who led the effort to take the proposal for this new gym and auditorium to the voters in a referendum."
Moments later, Ms. Turner beamed as Mr. Bach told the crowd to "keep the mood festive." The principal then led an improvised cheer of his own devising, as the crowd spelled "S-A-L-L-Y" in response to Mr. Bach, who began by crying "Gimme an S!" as he shaped the letter "S" with his arms. Shades of the Village People at the CHS gym.
With the drums’ street beat creating a deafening, raucous echo, the CHS marching band then entered the gym to play "Soul Man," "I Don’t Wanna Work" and other tunes. Then all the winter teams were introduced. Their members filled the bleachers on the east side of the gym.
Enthusiasm seemed to reach its peak when the cheerleaders threw rolled-up commemorative T-shirts into the bleachers as music roared over the P.A. and the Bulldog ran around and around, working the crowd. Some of the T-shirts were sent into the crowd with a slingshot so big it took several cheerleaders to hold it in position for Bulldog, who did the honors with the elastic.
Banners heralding the state championship of the school’s 2002 girls cross country team and the 1997 state Tournament of Champions title of the golf team were unveiled on the wall.
Then, at a signal from Mr. Bach, the balloons were released from the net. The black and gold spheres obscured much vision for a few moments as "Celebrate" came on the P.A. again and happy students stomped out the balloons on the floor of their new gym.