KINGSTON — After Kingston High School Principal Christy Cole cut the ribbon signifying its grand opening at 12:54 p.m. Saturday, a rousing round of applause emanated from the colossal crowd in attendance.

“This is history, and we’re all part of it,” Cole announced.

Kingston resident Bill Reynolds knows all about the history of the town. Reynolds, who attended the grand opening ceremony, has lived there since 1929.

“We needed something here. I think this school is outstanding,” he said. “From what I’ve seen today, this far surpasses anything that most schools have.” Reynolds, who was an engineer before he retired, took special notice of the high-end materials used throughout the KHS complex.

“Being an engineer I am amazed with the type of quality equipment they have. It’s very superior to what I had while I was in high school,” he said. “It looks great to me.”

North Kitsap School District school board member Catherine Ahl, who helped see the project through to completion, said she couldn’t keep the smile off her face.

“My jaws are tired from grinning,” she said. “This is something we all have been waiting for for a long time. It’s a wonderful day. This building is beautiful. What more could you ask for?”

Kingston resident Kay Peiguss has granddaughters attending KHS this year. She said she was blown away by the grandeur of the facility.

“My expectations have been met in every capacity,” she said. “This is the culmination of a whole process.”

The process began in April 2001 when a $60.1 million capital bond was passed by voters in the NKSD. After several delays, construction on the 113,000-square-foot facility began in June 2005.

Peiguss said the school will build camaraderie in Kingston.

“The perfect example was the first football game. It was packed,” she said. “That’s inspiring to everybody and was very meaningful. Having a high school in Kingston is exciting.”

Juliet Deggendorfer was impressed with the greenery surrounding KHS buildings.

“It seems like the school is stuck here in the trees. I come from California and it isn’t remotely close to this,” she said. “They kept the natural surroundings intact here. which is different from most schools.”

Washington State Supt. of Public Instruction Terry Bergeson made an appearance at the grand opening festivities as well.

“This is such a beautiful school. It’s a beautiful learning space for children,” she said. “I came here three years ago and saw the site in which the school was built on. This is an environmentally wonderful site that focuses on sustainability.”

KHS has set a benchmark future schools in Washington will be hard-pressed to follow, she said.

“It’s such a wonderful example for the entire state,” Bergeson said. “This school is going to change the lives of each high school student that comes through here.”

NKSD Supt. Gene Medina agreed.

“We’re not only celebrating the opening of a school, we’re giving a gift to children in future generations,” he said.