In a swirl of sweet emotion, joyous memories flowed in a wistful stream of time gone by.
Through hugs and tears Friday, Maxdale Elementary School celebrated birthday, anniversary and family reunion all in one to mark 25 years since the school opened.
School staff members and family past and present stepped into the school on Westwood Drive, and walked into the cafeteria where 25 school years merged into one.
As longtime friends reunited, many perused the displays of yearbooks, class photos and other artifacts marking time from 2001 to 2026.
Principal Bobbie Evans promised the audience members more time for fellowship as she called them to seats facing a stage decorated with colorful school T-shirts and a huge “25 Years” cutout.
“Family” was the word that permeated the evening.
After Evans welcomed guests “back home,” a school choir sang We Are the World, then a pair of former principals reflected on memories of the school’s past.
Maxdale’s first principal, Minerva Trujillo recalled the school’s dedication and first day of school when Charles Patterson was superintendent and the west Killeen neighborhood was still developing.
“We had such a family,” said Trujillo. “We could not wait to meet the children. The houses back here started creeping up as the school was being built.”
Trujillo spoke of dedicated school staff members who taught with care and compassion. She spoke directly to students in the choir still seated on the stage, assuring them of their inner beauty and value as people.
“You will remember Maxdale Elementary,” she said with emotion. “You will always have a little piece of Maxdale with you just like we oldies do. We take you with us wherever we go. I love you guys. You make the difference here.”
Another former principal, Paula Finnessey Blasko also addressed the crowd. She thanked Trujillo for hiring her and paving the way for her to become the school’s third principal following Tina Cole and preceding Ronald Knight and Evans.
After Blasko read Scripture passages of hope for the future over the school, Evans called up three special staff members for a unique honor.
Maxdale secretary Maria Flores, PE teacher Darla Stone and interventionist Penny Young all remain at the school from the inaugural year. Evans presented them with “Lifetime Meerkat” medals, which the school awards to students who attend the school from kindergarten through fifth grade.
“It’s the family and the community,” Young said, explaining why she has remained at Maxdale since it opened in 2001.
“Even on the hardest days you know you have your family behind you. The community comes together whenever you need them. All the principals have made us feel like this is our home. Every principal has had that philosophy.”
During the ceremony, Evans read the names of 13 former school staff who have passed away. She ended the formal event with a prayer of blessing, then called on the choir to finish with singing Happy Birthday to Maxdale Elementary School.
In the library, photos of the remembered staff members made up a section labeled “Memory Lane.”
A small group held an official dedication of a mural in a corner honoring library assistant Charlotte Anderson, who passed away December 8, 2023.
“Twenty-five years matters,” said Evans, explaining the driving motivation to host a special celebration.
“Every year matters. To have the opportunity to honor our history, to honor those who paved the way for us to be here today, to honor all the students who have come through here and to acknowledge what they have become, and their future is a blessing,” she said.
“We wanted to include our community because it takes all of us. It’s about partnership. There is so much good, and we need to stop and slow down and take the time to highlight the good things that are happening because of the people.”
While the speeches, songs and blessings gave structure to the evening, it was mainly about connecting and reconnecting. It was mainly about love.
“We’re better together. It was a privilege to have the former principals come and speak to the staff and students and community. That was very inspiring,” said Evans.
“What makes it great is the people. We could have just come and have fellowship. It’s really about that, the people. It’s about love.”
Photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/killeenisd/albums/72177720332781753