EDS NOTE: This is the second in a series of stories about the recent Greenville City School building open houses.
GREENVILLE — People said goodbye to Greenville South Middle School, aka South School, on Saturday.
The halls echoed memories, as folks passed through sharing stories of their school days. Principal Rhonda Schaar felt good about the day.
“It’s like a party, and I feared people wouldn’t show and they did,” she said. “I’m glad we are offering this outreach to the community, and providing them a chance to relive memories before the natural process of change happens. We are really looking forward to the 21st century and the state — of — the — art facility. People are getting to live their dreams. However, we can’t lose the consciousness of the past and the feelings of the people who created it for us.”
Sixth-grader Tyler McKinniss is a member of the Wave Leaders. The club offers leadership activities and service — learning opportunities. During the Farewell to the School event, Wave Leaders members greeted people, helped show people around and helped with the general organization. We will also help the teachers pack everything, McKinniss said. McKinniss was in a room displaying past yearbooks and photographs. He was in charge of playing a video, showcasing memories of the school. He is reflective and thoughtful about the school closing.
“I’m happy because we’re going to a good school and sad because this one is closing,” he said. “It’s pretty cool to be here – to look at the yearbooks and the past. Sadly, I’ve only got to be here 1 1/2 years. It is a fun and good school. I get to hear stories from teachers here. I like it the most because it’s old – I like the old smell.”
According to the Greenville City School District’s 2015 Audit Report, in 1911, South School was built at the corner of Sater and Washington Streets. This “modern” facility contained eight classrooms with a basement and two large playrooms. With some updates and additions, the school continues today serving grades five and six from Greenville City and the adjacent townships and villages and is now known as “Greenville South Middle School.