Parents, students and community members turned out Saturday for the official dedication of the new Meadowdale Middle School, which opened to students this fall. A special guest at the dedication was Edmonds resident Ruby Smith, widow of the first Meadowdale Middle School principal Gordy Smith. Principal Smith helped open the original Meadowdale Middle School and was principal until 1971, at which time he received the Viking statue from his staff.

Ruby Smith had kept the statue in their living room since that date and donated it to the school as part of the dedication to bridge the old with the new.

The new two-story facility, which houses 750 seventh and eighth graders, includes personalized learning communities, wireless Internet, gymnasiums with separate community access, and a manufacturing shop and drafting lab. Exterior features include an outdoor learning area, multi-use field, trails, amphitheater, student gardens and a plaza. The building was funded through a voter-approved 2006 construction bond.

MS Principal Christine Avery is pictured with Edmonds resident Ruby Smith, widow of the first Meadoedale Middle School principal Gordy Smith who helped open the originals school and was principal until 1971, at which time he received the Viking statue from his staff. Ruby has had it in their living room since that date and donated it to the school as part of the dedication to bridge the old with the new.

In the second attachment, Kathy Miller directs the MMS Choir, which performed following the formal ceremony as tours continued.

In the third attachment, in the first row are: Ruby Smith, Harry Melnes (first assistant principal at the original MMS and still an Edmonds resident), and Principal Christine Avery. Standing behind them(l to r) are: School Board president and Edmonds resident Susan Paine; Brian Carter of Integrus; Superintendent Nick Brossoit; Eric Temp of Skanska; School Board members Patrick Shields and Gary Noble.