When Mesa Elementary first opened its doors in the Fall of 1971, there were no preschool, kindergarten or art classes and it was known as a modified, open-space school. 50 years later, students are now learning about the history and sharing their own stories, “Many of our current Mesa students have grandparents, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles and cousins that attended Mesa, making Mesa a truly community school,” said Janelle Stastny, principal at Mesa Elementary.

On November 3, students and staff gathered outside to take a drone photo with a number 50 that was painted on the lawn. In attendance was Wendy Metcalf, once a student at Mesa, she is now teaching in the same community that she grew up in. She says that her favorite memory as a student was when her 4th-grade teacher made butter with a churn in the classroom. Now her favorite memories as a teacher are all about the kids. “The best memories I have of teaching here are all the special, kind, funny, interesting and wonderful children I have worked with over the years,” said Metcalf.

Check out the video above and click through the photo gallery to see how excited the school was to celebrate such a significant anniversary.