News
Community turns out
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| Jaw dropper: Cheyanne Keith reacts while being served by the BHS Future Farmers of America at Friday's celebration. (Thelma Grimes/photo.) |
Celebration lauded as first-class affair
Thelma Grimes/San Pedro Valley News-Sun
It was a community reunion Friday night, as nearly 1,000 people gathered to celebrate the new construction taking place at Benson Schools, and to be thanked by the district for voting in favor of the bond issue that made construction possibe.
Superintendent David Woodall said the $6 million construction to improve the football stadium, classrooms and a new dining auditorium continued throughout the summer, the district worked on planning an event where they could thank the community for making it possible.
Last year, voters in the Benson School District approved a $6 million bond override, allowing a property tax increase to make the needed improvements at the school possible.
In an opening address Friday night, Benson Middle School teacher Dan Barrera said while most bond overrides failed throughout the state last year, 73 percent of Benson voters said yes.
Earlier in the night, Barerra said the event wasn't about a football game or free food, but a community reunion. While Benson students attended, so did alumni, city officials, former administrators, teachers and citizens.
The last six mayors for the city were also in attendance. Present Mayor Mark Fenn said he was impressed with not only the ongoing improvements taking place, but also with how the community came together to celebrate.
"This is something that has been needed for a long time. Something to truly bring this community together," he said. "I've never seen this many different groups of people in this community come together for one event like this. This is great. I really thank Dr. Woodall and the school district for putting this together."
While waiting for the football game to begin, residents were entertained by the band After Burn, and treated to free food prepared and served by the district cafeteria staff and members of the Future Farmers of American organization.
Residents were served shredded beef, potato salad, coleslaw, beans, tortillas and free drinks.
Woodall said all the food was donated by Core Construction and ME2 Architects.
Woodall said the turnout was great for the event, and continued to thank residents for their support as improvements continue to be made at the school. The final stages of a new locker room at the football field are ongoing, and the new dining auditorium that can be seen from Union Street is closer to completion every day.
Those in attendance got to see the obvious improvements Friday night, with a new parking lot behind the stadium, a new building for the snack bar and restrooms, new stands with a press box and many landscape and sidewalk improvements.
Game referees were also impressed with the upgrades to the stadium.
After taking advantage of the free food, Mike Maleski said the improvements are "first class."
"This place is absolutely beautiful," he said. "The people here are fantastic, and I have nothing but good things to say about this administration, the coaches and what they have done here."
After refereeing in Benson for the last 17 years, Judy Mungen also said she was impressed with the upgrades and by the turnout for the night's game.
Arizona Ranger Lindsey Jackson said he was very impressed with how the community came together to support such an event.
"This is good; we needed something like this," he said. "We are really giving back; the kids need something like this because they are our future."
To end the festivities and prepare for kick off, the district honored local law enforcement before the national anthem, which was also a pre-game ceremony in honor of the Sept. 11 anniversary.
To start the game, Healthcare Innovations landed a helicopter on the field, delivering the game ball to referees.
To make the night even better, the Bobcats' football team fought through a tough game to beat Canyon State 7-0.
Thelma Grimes/San Pedro Valley News-Sun
It was a community reunion Friday night, as nearly 1,000 people gathered to celebrate the new construction taking place at Benson Schools, and to be thanked by the district for voting in favor of the bond issue that made construction possibe.
Superintendent David Woodall said the $6 million construction to improve the football stadium, classrooms and a new dining auditorium continued throughout the summer, the district worked on planning an event where they could thank the community for making it possible.
Last year, voters in the Benson School District approved a $6 million bond override, allowing a property tax increase to make the needed improvements at the school possible.
In an opening address Friday night, Benson Middle School teacher Dan Barrera said while most bond overrides failed throughout the state last year, 73 percent of Benson voters said yes.
Earlier in the night, Barerra said the event wasn't about a football game or free food, but a community reunion. While Benson students attended, so did alumni, city officials, former administrators, teachers and citizens.
The last six mayors for the city were also in attendance. Present Mayor Mark Fenn said he was impressed with not only the ongoing improvements taking place, but also with how the community came together to celebrate.
"This is something that has been needed for a long time. Something to truly bring this community together," he said. "I've never seen this many different groups of people in this community come together for one event like this. This is great. I really thank Dr. Woodall and the school district for putting this together."
While waiting for the football game to begin, residents were entertained by the band After Burn, and treated to free food prepared and served by the district cafeteria staff and members of the Future Farmers of American organization.
Residents were served shredded beef, potato salad, coleslaw, beans, tortillas and free drinks.
Woodall said all the food was donated by Core Construction and ME2 Architects.
Woodall said the turnout was great for the event, and continued to thank residents for their support as improvements continue to be made at the school. The final stages of a new locker room at the football field are ongoing, and the new dining auditorium that can be seen from Union Street is closer to completion every day.
Those in attendance got to see the obvious improvements Friday night, with a new parking lot behind the stadium, a new building for the snack bar and restrooms, new stands with a press box and many landscape and sidewalk improvements.
Game referees were also impressed with the upgrades to the stadium.
After taking advantage of the free food, Mike Maleski said the improvements are "first class."
"This place is absolutely beautiful," he said. "The people here are fantastic, and I have nothing but good things to say about this administration, the coaches and what they have done here."
After refereeing in Benson for the last 17 years, Judy Mungen also said she was impressed with the upgrades and by the turnout for the night's game.
Arizona Ranger Lindsey Jackson said he was very impressed with how the community came together to support such an event.
"This is good; we needed something like this," he said. "We are really giving back; the kids need something like this because they are our future."
To end the festivities and prepare for kick off, the district honored local law enforcement before the national anthem, which was also a pre-game ceremony in honor of the Sept. 11 anniversary.
To start the game, Healthcare Innovations landed a helicopter on the field, delivering the game ball to referees.
To make the night even better, the Bobcats' football team fought through a tough game to beat Canyon State 7-0.
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