Ankeny Residents Check Out Their New High School

Mark and Jean Schmitt wanted one more look at where their daughter, Marissa, will spend her last year in high school.

The Ankeny couple — in addition to Marissa and their other daughter, Alicia — grinned proudly at a Sunday open house held at the new Ankeny High School as they spoke about they had seen so far.

“We really wanted to see the new auditorium,” Mark said. Marissa, who is in show choir, will be using it frequently, he added.

The Schmitts were one of numerous families and individuals who attended the open house and ribbon cutting held Sunday afternoon at .

Although they both saw the inside of the school previously, the couple wanted to be there to support their daughter, who was chosen to participate in the ribbon cutting.

“We helped them move (equipment) from the music department from the old high school to this one,” Jean said. “We're hoping to take a tour of the classrooms today.”

Molly Myers’ sons, Cole and Cory, both seniors at Ankeny High School, also were chosen to help cut the ribbon. She, too, was there to support her boys.

“I’d only seen this area before today,” Molly said, motioning to the commons area in which she sat Sunday.

Both her sons play basketball, so Myers said she was most excited to see the 20,000-square-foot gymnasium.

Both Myers and the Schmitts agreed they were impressed with the new school.

“It’s so spacious,” Jean said. “It’s nice the kids won’t be bumping shoulders on their way to class anymore.”

In the midst of the open house, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held for the new high school. Those attending included school officials, city leaders, state legislators and members of Ankeny’s business community.

A short program was held leading up to the ribbon cutting. Ankeny Superintendent Matthew Wendt was met with applause when he welcomed everyone to the new high school.

“Today is a celebration of your deep commitment to our community,” Wendt said. “Thank you for taking the time to see what we now offer you.”

Ankeny school board president Leslie Petersen thanked her fellow board members for their determination in making the school a reality, as well as residents for their faith in the district’s plan.

“There will be bumps in the road, but hopefully we never lose sight of what it takes to provide opportunities (for our kids),” she said.

Ankeny Area Chamber of Commerce President Randy Munson and Ankeny Mayor Steven Van Oort also addressed the crowd gathered in the high school cafeteria.

Van Oort spoke of how Ankeny has grown and used the high school as an example of the city’s growth.

“Today is a testament of our investment in future generations,” he said. “Welcome to the future of Ankeny.”