Southwest Fresno dedicates new middle school

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Friday was a momentous day in Southwest Fresno as the community dedicated its new middle school.

With voices raised high, the Gaston Middle School choir kicked off the dedication of Rutherford B. Gaston Middle School with a message of community.

It's been a month since the doors opened for the new school year and Friday, hundreds came together for the official dedication.

"Our kids love being here, so in week five, it's proving to be everything we thought it would be when we were planning it," said Fresno Unified Superintendent Michael Hanson.

More than 800 seventh and eighth graders, many of them wearing the Bengal orange and black took part and listened to speakers.

Co-principal Felicia Quarles Treadwell says everyone is a part of school history.

"We talk about that, every day is a first, and this celebration is definitely an awesome opportunity," said Treadwell.

The school is named after Fresno Unified's first African-American principal Rutherford "Bud" Gaston. His family flew in from across the country for the dedication.

The two-story state-of-the-art building has a special focus on science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

"Every day we remind them of the honor of being in such a beautiful facility, and we model the respect for this beautiful facility, and they're following along," said Treadwell.

At the end of the dedication, a portrait of Rutherford was unveiled and will now hang in the school entrance as a reminder of his legacy.

With this dedication in the books, officials say it's the now the start of a new educational chapter for the entire community.