'Evening of celebration.' One Triway takes shape as district breaks ground on new school

WOOSTER TWP. − The new one-campus preschool- through 12th-grade building on the site of the existing Triway High School and Junior High is well on its way to reality.

A ceremonial groundbreaking on April 20 in the new parking lot heralded its progress.

A crowd of about 500 attended the program, which featured comments from Superintendent Nate Schindewolf, school board President Ryan Gilbert, Triway High School teacher Rick Gatliff, and sophomore Addi Hudson.

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Hammond Construction project manager Derrick Semilia gave an update, and the high school marching band performed.

Groundbreaking participants were members of the board and administration, and student representatives and staff.

"Everybody did a fantastic job," highlighting the milestone, Schindewolf said in a follow-up conversation this past week.

People crowded around at the end of the program to get their photo taken with a ceremonial shovel and to collect a bit of dirt in keepsake vials with a logo provided by Hammond Construction, he said.

Having planned the day so far in advance, yet being able to enjoy an 80-degree day amid colder ones, Schindewolf said, "We lucked out."

"Everybody coming together is an exciting thing for our community," he said. "It was an evening of celebration."

"Our schools have always been separate," Schindewolf said, but the new building initiates the concept of one Triway.

"Seeing it take shape is exciting and invigorating for all of us," he said.

"Now the walls are visible, and it has created quite a buzz here," he said, calling the new building "a mix of the past, present and future."

Upcoming Triway students will "enjoy (it) for their entire educational career."

Schindewolf recognized retirees, who "paved the way for us and future generations."

Cherry pie takes on special meaning at Triway groundbreaking

A special guest was Nina Miller, whose late husband, Hank Miller, served on the Shreve school board and was an original member of the Triway school board.

He broke a 2-2 tie to vote in favor of consolidating Wooster Township, Franklin Township and Shreve when the Triway district was created in the early '60s, Schindewolf said.

Nina Miller had made three cherry cream pies for a celebration back at her house following that meeting, but no one stopped by, Schindewolf said.

On Thursday he commemorated her effort by giving her and her family a cherry cream pie, although "not as good as the ones homemade by you."

On display representing Triway's history was an original photograph of the groundbreaking for Triway High.

Gatliff, who has taught computer courses to the district's middle school students for 33 years, told the crowd the new building "will be amazing by anyone’s standards, and it will definitely help us better educate our kids."

But beyond the benefits of the state-of-the-art building, "It’s the student body, staff, administration, and community members, like you, that will adorn the walls with beauty and the halls with life’s precious energy.

"We’ve cultured a true learning community, thanks to a complete team effort," Gatliff said, and the district is "fully prepared to enter the new school and help our kids and families thrive like never before."

"We’re more than ready for a new building and new challenges," Gatliff said.

In her remarks, Hudson said she was honored to be part of the interview process and design team, which included a group of students and teachers who got together to discuss what they would like to see in the future school.

Students' opinions were valued, and their ideas were incorporated as "different insight into what future generations would need," Hudson said.

"I am just extremely excited to see this school come to life and see the impact it makes on Triway as a community," she said.

Despite supply chain issues and the pandemic, "we're on pace," Schindewolf said on Monday. "The weather has helped."

Sixth- through 12th-grade students are on schedule to move into the new building during winter break in December of 2024.

Preschool through fifth graders will follow them the following fall, Schindewolf said on Monday.

"We made some tough decisions to stay on track," he said. "I'm proud of our team."

In his prepared remarks on Thursday evening, Schindewolf said, "As we gather here today, it is important to reflect on the journey and the people that have brought us to this moment."

The new campus will be "a hub of activity and learning, a place where students can explore their passions and pursue their dreams."

"It will be a central gathering place for our community — a place to celebrate, a place to learn, a place to grow," Schindewolf said.

"It represents a commitment to the future of our district and our community.

"It is a testament to the dedication of our teachers, staff, and administrators who have worked tirelessly to make this vision a reality," he said.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: One Triway takes shape as district breaks ground on new school