'Bittersweet' End for Old Junior High School

"By next Friday, it will be rubble," said Terry Sullivan, chairman of the board of directors for the Southern District YMCA, at the close of Friday's ceremony to say goodbye to the old Exeter Area Junior High School.

Demolition of the building has already begun to make way for a new YMCA, and within a week's time, the school will be gone.

But on Friday, nearly 80 former students, faculty members and YMCA employees and volunteers gathered in the parking lot of the old school on Linden Street to share their memories of the 45-year-old building.

Among those former students was Exeter Town Manager Russ Dean, who ticked off the names of some of his former teachers, several of whom were in attendance. Teachers like Ann Douglas, Kate Wheeler-Smith and Donna Cronin. Also in attendance was Thomas Meehan, who served as principal for 21 years, and the family of former Principal Frank Kozacka.

"We're really here today to honor the past," Exeter School Superintendent Michael Morgan said, "and celebrate the strong tradition of educational excellence" at the school. "The new tradition really begins today, in a lot of ways."

Jeff Hillier, a former assistant principal of the school, said the junior high was a school noted for "high standards, academic excellence and respecting the kids."

Sullivan pointed out that the old school flagpole will remain at the new building, as will the plaque commemorating the opening of the school in 1967. They will serve as a tribute, he said, to all of the teachers who graced the halls of the school. Bricks from the school will also be made available as mementos to anyone who wants one.

TELL US: Did you attend or work at the Exeter Area Junior High School building on Linden Street? Share your memories in the comments field below.