Packed House For School District's Centennial Celebration Event

Superintendent of University City Schools Joylynn Wilson Pruitt found herself at a loss for words Monday night.

After watching students from  re-enact the meeting 100 years ago, that officially organized the school district, Wilson Pruitt said she was overcome with emotion.

"I could only imagine the chills that Luther T. Ward, the first superintendent, felt when he took the helm of the school district and that's the chills I'm kinda feeling right this minute," she said.

Dozens of people packed the McNair Board Room for the school district's centennial kickoff celebration. 

School Board President Tom Peters said the re-enactment highlighted the meeting 100 years ago that brought together neighborhoods with the education of children to start what has become the primary focus of the district -- community schools.

He thanked residents for supporting the 53 million dollar bond two-years- ago that allowed the school district to build two brand new schools and renovate four other schools. But he acknowledged a bumpy road awaits.

"As we continue our celebration throughout 2011, 2012... we will be making some hard transitions but our district has been through hard transitions before and we will make it though this as we have before, and with planning, open communication and your community support we will start our next 100 years stronger for every child and their academic future in our district."

According to the school district, other spring centennial events include the ribbon cutting and dedication for the Barbara C. Jordan Elementary School building and the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Pershing Elementary School building.