Bentonville's West High School opens

The grand opening of Bentonville's West High School in Centerton.
The grand opening of Bentonville's West High School in Centerton.

CENTERTON — Nearly 1,000 people packed the performing arts center at Bentonville's West High School to celebrate the school's grand opening Friday morning.

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Arkansas' newest collaborative learning environment, Bentonville West High School," Principal Jonathon Guthrie said to open the ceremony, a remark met by heavy applause from the audience.

Students, parents, teachers, school administrators and politicians were among those who attended the ceremony. A custom-made yellow ribbon featuring West High School's logos was cut by several people on stage to symbolize the school's opening.

Speakers at the event included Gov. Asa Hutchinson, Superintendent Debbie Jones, former Superintendent Michael Poore and School Board President Travis Riggs.

"I'm here as governor to underscore one point," Hutchinson said. "All that we want to accomplish as a state, all that we want to accomplish in terms of economic growth and success, begins with the foundation of education. And we cannot accomplish our goals if we are not successful in the education environment."

The West High School band played the national anthem and the school's fight song. The school's choir sang the school's alma mater.

West High School will open to about 1,200 students in grades nine through 11 on Aug. 15.

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