Construction complete, time to celebrate

Suzie Harrison

It had been years in the making, but well worth the wait.

Thurston Middle School and Top of the World Elementary School have

finally completed their improvements.

The schools received a portion of the $67 million in funds

appropriated between the four schools in the Laguna Beach Unified

School District to pay for work the work.

School officials, community members and city officials were on

hand to mark the occasion. The standing-room-only audience in the

newly built gymnasium regularly erupted with applause and cheers at

Thurston’s dedication.

“Are you glad the construction is over?” school board President El

Hathaway asked before thanking teachers, students and staff for their

patience while they endured the two and a half years of construction.

“None of this would have happened without Bob Whalen.” Hathaway

said. “He started the bond issue.”

In June 2001, the bond issue in the school district received an

81% vote in favor. Long-time Laguna Beach resident and chairman of

the bond committee, Bill Steel, was lauded for his hard work.

“Bill Steel raised hundreds of thousand for our school,” Hathaway

said. “He’s a very special guy.”

Each site was allocated a set amount and these dollars could not

transfer to another school.

“When we started planning this, sixth-graders were in second grade

at the time,” Whalen said. “It gives a sense of how long it takes to

plan this.”

Under the direction of Roxana Ward, the Thurston chorus performed

a heartfelt rendition of “Ode to Joy.”

Former Thurston Principal Chris Duddy, who is now at El Morro

Elementary School, endured the brunt of construction disruption at

Thurston. He received a standing ovation when he spoke to his former

students.

Following the ceremony, the Peer Assistant Leaders committee of

students gave tours of the new campus.

Board member Betsy Jenkins recalled that Top of the World school

was built in the ‘60s, and by the ‘90s she said it was funky and

outdated.

“Now the atmosphere is electric and you can feel the magic in the

air, the excitement,” Jenkins said.

Following the grand finale of bubble blowing by the students, the

student council gave tours of the campus, proudly smiling as their

school spirit shined through.