Former alumni, current students, parents, members of the community and faculty all came together Thursday at Huey Field to celebrate and reflect on Central Kitsap High School before moving into their new building next fall.

Just after the bells rang to signify the end of the school year, a community event was held with guest speakers Anne Huey, daughter of former CKHS Principal James Huey and the former governor of Alaska and CKHS alum Bill Sheffield. Central Kitsap School District Superintendent David McVicker and CKHS Co-Principals Gail Danner and Craig Johnson also spoke at the event.

“Our community has a long tradition of educating students on this campus,” McVicker said. “From the first eight-room school building, to the amazing facility that stands behind us (the new Central Kitsap Middle School), one thing over that time has never changed and that’s the value our community places on education and its youth.”

Sheffield spoke of his early days in Silverdale and attributed those times to the success he had throughout his life. He also offered up some advice for the current CKHS students.

“You can do just about anything you want to do in this country,” Sheffield said. “You just need to stay focused to the extent of what you want to be or do.”

McVicker continued to reflect on the legacy left by the old building, as well as the new memories that will be made at the new high school.

“The current CK High School, the one you’ll say goodbye to today, has been a special place to many people for a long time. Each of my five children went through those halls. Former students and staff will always cherish the memories they made here.”

“This fall when we celebrate the grand opening of the new Central Kitsap High School, we will do so with great respect and gratitude for this school’s nearly 100 year history of excellence and community support. Then, we will get down to the work of making some new memories in the new building.”

CKHS Co-Principal Craig Johnson offered some closing words aimed at future students who will be the first to set foot in the new building.

“To our returning students sitting on the field; no pressure, but the baton is being passed to us to see how far Central Kitsap High School Cougars can go. No matter the classrooms, the field, or what the parking lots looked like when you went to Central Kitsap, the people, you, us, past, present, and future are what makes one Cougar nation such a special place.”

—Tyler Shuey is a reporter for Kitsap Daily News. He can be reached at tshuey@soundpublishing.com