Prince William elected officials assembled Monday, with teachers and community members, inside The Nokesville School's gymnasium to celebrate the opening of the new K-8 school.
“Progress is only possible through teamwork,” said Principal Eric Worcester, who acknowledged those who made the school a reality, including elected officials, associate superintendents from the school division, school board members, teachers and staff members, parents, community members, representatives from PWCS Office of Facility Services, various Prince William Business Partners and representatives from Mosely Architects and V.F. Pavone Construction Company in Manassas.
Superintendent Dr. Steven. L. Walts said that the school would not have existed if the School Board and County Board of Supervisors had not worked together.
Walts said he is always excited to start the school year by opening a new school, and this year he has the honor of opening the 16th and 17th new schools since he joined the district, The Nokesville School, and Haymarket Elementary School, respectively, this week.
Walts also spoke about the unique character of Nokesville,
“Each community [in Prince William] seems almost small because each school is a tightly woven community, and I certainly don’t need to say this in Nokesville.”
He also noted that having a K-8 school is a nice option for parents, which he realizes more now as his daughter prepares to enter middle school.
Congressman Robert Wittman of the 1st Virginia District called Nokesville a “spectacular place,” where “everyone knows everybody,” and said it takes a community to make a special school like The Nokesville School.
Del. Rich Anderson (51st District- Prince William) said he wasn’t originally planning on attending, but “couldn’t stay away.”
Anderson said that while celebrating the opening of the new school, he also wants to find ways to preserve the old Nokesville School, which has existed in the community for 85 years.
School Board Chairman At-large, Milt School, said he offers congratulations on behalf of the entire School Board, most of whom, who were in attendance. He offered another congratulations for the school being built both within time frame and budget.
He said there are many logistical challenges with meeting the needs of Prince William’s growing communities in building new schools, additions and replacement schools.
Johns said The Nokesville School offers a “beautiful learning environment” but the heart of the school will still depend on the efforts of the students and teachers.
Board of County Supervisors Chairman Corey Stewart noted how fortunate Prince William County was with everything that is happening in the country and the world. He said the county was blessed with job growth, and it has now surpassed Virginia Beach as the second largest region in the Commonwealth.
He said he wants to take a look at working with the school board to preserve the Nokesville Elementary School in perpetuity.
“It will happen; we are going to make it happen,” Stewart said.
[/caption] "It is pretty clear that some of the kids, and some of the parents are ready to go back to school," School Board representative for the Brentsville District Gil Trenum said. "The new school is exciting as it offers new halls and corners to explore."
He said that while the community may feel “wistful” about the old building, the tradition will continue and one day one of these students will come back to teach in Nokesville as Mr. Webster did.
Webster's son, Walker, who is moving up to Brentsville District High School, plans to stop occasionally to enjoy for Ms. Peggy’s cooking.
“We can all feel the Tiger pride, and you’ll be able to smell it on this side of the street,” Brentsville District County Supervisor Wally Covington said.
Covington quoted President John F. Kennedy: “Let us not think of education only in terms of its costs, but rather in terms of the infinite potential of the human mind that can be realized through education. Let us think of education as the means of developing our greatest abilities, because in each of us there is a private hope and dream which, fulfilled, can be translated into benefit for everyone and greater strength for our Nation.”
Before the ribbon cutting, Principal Worcester ended the ceremony by thanking his staff of teachers and telling the parents, “you are welcomed and needed at Nokesville.”
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