With an official proclamation from West Mayor Tommy Muska, October 8 marked the Official West Rise Above Day.
Friday and Saturday kicked off a weekend dedication to the opening of the brand new middle and high schools in West. The original schools were damaged so severely after the April 2013 explosion they were deemed unsafe to occupy.
Saturday consisted of several events, including tours and a special presentation of a documentary about the explosion.
In the evening, West ISD hosted a ceremony commemorating the support of the community. Superintendent David Truitt acknowledged the efforts of both students and teachers at overcoming the struggles of that April day.
Michele Scott, West Middle School Principal, was working at the elementary school when the explosion happened. Her home, like many others was completely destroyed. She said despite the adversity staff banded together in order to help students get a little bit of normalcy.
"I had several teachers who lost their homes as well and they didn't miss a day of work they were there they showed up and shed a few tears before the day got started but they were ready to get going and continue with the teaching and learning,” Scott said.
Texas District 55 Representative Molly White and Sheriff Parnell McNamara were just some of the public figures at the ceremony. Former Texas Education Agency Commissioner of Education, Kyle Kacal was in attendance. West administrators give credit to Kacal for securing some of the funding for the rebuild.
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