Hasty Elementary Celebrates 10 Years Educating Students

William G. Hasty, Sr. Elementary School opened its doors 10 years ago, and while some things about the school have changed over the past decade, the school’s sense of family and community has remained the same.

The school, located on Brown Industrial Parkway in Canton, held a 10-year anniversary celebration this week, complete with alumni, special guests, cake, commemorative t-shirts, prizes — and actual huskies.

Hasty opened in 2005 to serve students in kindergarten through sixth grade, and now it serves pre-k to fifth grade and was selected to become one of the Cherokee County School District’s Fine Arts Academies in 2012.

Principal Izell McGruder welcomed a gym full of students and guests, and gave a special recognition to the 24 teachers and support staff who have worked at Hasty since its opening.

Speakers during the assembly included Deputy Superintendent Dr. Brian Hightower, several Hasty parents and teachers and William G. “Billy” Hasty Jr. and his son, Will Hasty.

The Hasty family sold the land to the school district for the facility to be built, and it was named for William G. Hasty, Sr. who served as Cherokee County School Superintendent from 1952 to 1959, as well as serving in the State Senate.

Key partners for the event were Hasty PTA, Soleil Tennis Charity from Laurel Canyon, Rack Room Shoes and United Community Bank.

Photo 1: Principal Izell McGruder helps pre-kindergarten student Joe Ramirez blow out the candles on the celebratory cake for Hasty Elementary School’s 10th birthday. All the students wore party hats and commemorative t-shirts for the occasion.
Photo 2: Music teacher Dr. Rita Frady leads the students in “Once a Husky, Always a Husky.”
Photo 3: Jeni Paul with Mush Rescue brought her huskies to visit the Hasty Huskies.
Photo 4: Billy Hasty, Jr. and his son, Will Hasty, share memories about their father and grandfather, in whose honor the school is named.
Photo 5: School Council member Millie Cline speaks about their family’s great educational experiences at Hasty ES.
Photo 6: Student Mateo Pascual Gomez shared his experience at Hasty ES with the audience. Mateo came to Canton from Guatemala, and could not speak English when he arrived. Mateo began his speech through a translator, Abby Hernandez, and finished it in English, telling Mr. McGruder what a great principal he is and how he loves the school.
Photo 7: Students were excited about the 10th year celebration.
Photo 8: Billy Hasty, center, speaks with his son, Will Hasty, right, as they wait for the ceremony to begin. Seated between them is Martha Hasty, and to the left is Deputy Superintendent Dr. Brian Hightower and School Board member Patsy Jordan.
Credits: Cherokee County School District