There was a buzz of excitement in Penhold last week after Chinook's Edge School Division trustees officially approved the name for the new high school.
“It's been a while coming,” said Mark Crawford, current vice-principal of Penhold School and soon to be principal of Penhold Crossing Secondary School.
“We had just been calling it the ‘new Penhold school' so now that we have a name we can move on and start a contest for the logo, mascot and colours,” he said.
Collecting suggestions for the school name was opened up to students and the community. Crawford said it was important to involve the students.
“I don't know if there has been a high school in Penhold before,” said Crawford, who speculated if there was, it was likely a long time ago when the town was still a village.
“The kids here are used to travelling outside of Penhold to Innisfail and Red Deer so it was important to engage them and let them take ownership.”
He said it was equally important to engage the students of River Glen, a kindergarten to Grade 12 school located in Red Deer, who will transfer to the new school next year as River Glen will close.
“If you're a student in Grade 11 (in River Glen) you want to know where you are going and have a sense of pride for the new building,” he said as an example.
The name, approved during the Dec.11 board meeting, reflects the history as well as the geography, explained Sherry Cooper, trustee.
“Traditionally the crossing was how settlers referred to the low part of a river which allowed them to cross more easily,” said Cooper. “That's what I found rich about this name. It speaks to a key link to join people from different communities and a vibrant gathering place. Our new school is like that: a meeting of students, a meeting of geography and a meeting of history.”
Other submissions made mention of the historical significance of the area and included references to the C&E Trail, the CP Railroad and Waskasoo Creek.
“It's inclusive,” said Crawford of the name, noting that the school will serve more than just Penhold students but the county and former River Glen students as well.
The new school will open in September 2014 and is being constructed adjacent to the Penhold Multiplex that will provide the school access to the arena, gym and library.
“There's so much to do between now and then,” said Crawford, who said in addition to being built, the school will also need to be outfitted with furniture and resources.
“I'm excited,” he said.
