From Justin Whiteford:
Our motto at Grand Junction is honoring the past and embracing the future, which so perfectly represents the situation that we are in with our brand new high school. We have such a strong and unique history in this valley and it is important that we understand the shoulders that we rest on. We really look forward to moving into a brilliant future knowing that our tradition and legacy is the very core foundation of everything that we do. I would say that it's a good day to be a tiger!
Following are remarks from the Grand Opening Ceremony held on Saturday, August third, 2024 at the entrance to the new school building.
From Principal Jory Sorensen:
This Grand Junction High School is going to be a game changer for our students and our community. Thank you for your trust. My staff and I do not take it lightly. We are committed to doing our part to provide the best high school experience possible for all of our students. This new school will allow us to do this in ways that we only dreamt of in our former school. Our Academy Model at Grand Junction High School is exceptional. We work everyday to intrinsically motivate our students to work toward their post-secondary goals … the academy model and this new school will allow us maximize our vision - providing our students with an exceptional learning environment and experience. The traditions and history that exist for Grand Junction High School are rare. I have no doubt, that this new school will continue and amplify the great traditions and Pride that exist at Grand Junction High School.
Speeches were also given by local elected officials, D-51 Superintendent Dr. Briann Hill and Senior Class President for 2024-2025 Dermot Lynch along with comments from co-student body presidents Addie Boss amd Maycie Sinicki.
Addie - Good morning everyone. My name is Addie Boss and I am one of your student body co-presidents for this coming school year. I am honored and excited to lead the student body this year as we embark on a new journey in a new school. I am so thankful to be a part of this giving community and to be the first graduating class with the new school. Thank you to the Junction staff, faculty, and everyone who had a part in making this happen. When us students get a grant to build a state of the art school, the only word that comes to my mind is grateful. We are grateful for your trust and we are grateful and honored for your support. However we will continue to earn your trust by treating the building with respect and by reminding students to take care of their surroundings. As we begin this new school year in a new school building we will remember to be kind, to be thoughtful, to be genuine, but most of all to be grateful.
Dermot -
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Since the school has opened there has been 68 graduating classes, that means roughly 68 homecomings, 68 football seasons, 68 proms, and more memories than we could count.
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It is our promise as a student body to not let these memories die with our building! All of you and many more spent four years of your life to build up the legacy and traditions we uphold to this day. I would like to personally thank you all for keeping alive the Junction spirit we like to call tiger pride. This feeling of tiger pride is something we strive to only multiply with the introduction of the new building and share the love for the school with many generations to come. I thank you all for coming out today. And don’t forget, GJ ALL DAY
Maycie - Good morning I'm Maycie Sinicki. I serve as a student body president, alongside Addie. As we begin this incredible chapter let us keep in mind that education is the foundation of a brighter tomorrow. We aim to build an environment that values creativity, critical thinking and a genuine passion for learning. We are highly confident that this school will evolve into a place where students not only excel academically but develop into empathetic, accountable and innovative individuals. A huge thank you to all who have helped bring this dream to life we are incredibly grateful. We are excited for the journey and the many achievements that will come from these halls, stadiums, courts, fields, and more . Welcome to our school, where the future starts now! Go Tigers.
Honoring the past has included rescuing and even repurposing some remarkable artwork, signage, and even the center-court section of the original gymnasium. The future includes innovations unlike any school in the country has ever seen. Engineers indicate that this building is so efficient is can be heated and cooled, lighted and powered for about ten percent of what a structure this size would normally require in cost and energy expenditure.
Another remarkable addition is the bronze mascot on the cover of this issue. This sculpture was funded by generous local donations outside the construction budget and is the largest high school mascot in Colorado. Its unique structure allows the sculpture to be in contact with the ground in only one spot and still be immensely strong. The iron reinforcing its form runs throughout the body and is anchored to an I-beam that is driven between 12 and 15 feet into the earth. Students who got to travel to the foundry for the casting of the sculpture were invited to sign the inside of the body before it was covered in bronze. It's sure to endure much like the legacy of this school has for nearly seven decades.
Our motto at Grand Junction: "Honoring the past and embracing the future". It's a good day to be a tiger!