KINGSTON — Kingston High School ASB President Aaron Bilbao and Vice President Kendal Peiguss made a beeline for a Kingston High School landmark shortly after it was delivered Wednesday afternoon. The duo climbed to the top of a massive granite boulder with their hands in the air celebrating the arrival of a gift that will last eons, and weighs in at more than nine tons.

It’s a huge show of support, said North Kitsap High School principal Kathy Prasch, whose school purchased the sizable present.

When asked Thursday how long before the rock — which is larger than its counterpart at NKHS — would be painted, she chuckled before replying, “It’s already been painted.”

In fact, she added, the boulder was sent to KHS with a few buckets of garnet and gold paint to boot.

“It’s meant to be painted,” Prasch said.

The 18,400-pound rock is visible upon entry to the student parking lot at KHS, located along Siyaya Avenue just past the baseball field.

The granite originated from Fred Hill Materials in Poulsbo and was transported to the campus by Kingston A & L Topsoil driver Steve Bynum.

“I had to take down the tailgate off the back of the truck to get it in there,” he said. “It took about 1 1/2 hours to load it in there with an excavator.”

Bynum, who is no stranger to big boulders, said he was nonetheless enthusiastic about delivering the huge rock to the newly opened KHS.

“I was excited about bringing the rock here today,” he said. “Everyone knows what the rock means to North Kitsap High School. Now everyone will know about the rock at Kingston.”

Prasch said she was happy NKHS was able to donate such a significant gift to its sister school. The rock cost close to $55 per ton, resulting in a total price of $508.75, which was donated by NKHS parents.

“For their first newcoming week ever, we wanted to make sure we gave them a significant gift,” she said. “We thought it would be nice to give them a rock similar to the one we have at North. The rock is meaningful at North Kitsap High School and we hope the rock is meaningful for Kingston High School.”

“It feels good to be able to give something to our sister school that’s so special,” she added. “I’m delighted staff and students from both Kingston High School and North Kitsap High School were here today to be part of this.”

Prasch presented KHS Principal Christy Cole a plaque commemorating the moment which read: “As you begin your new traditions this is a gift to keep the old traditions alive from your sister school.”

Cole couldn’t wipe the smile off her face.

“The school is rocking with school spirit this week,” she said. “The kids are pretty excited. It’s a lot of fun.”

NKHS ASB Vice President Matt Cordell was on hand for the arrival of Kingston’s newest landmark, and shared in the festivities.

“I’m excited to be here. All of my friends are from Kingston. There’s no bad blood between the schools,” he said. “We have one of these, so we wanted to give them one of their own.”

Peiguss was flabbergasted by the combined show of school spirit.

“I feel like this is the start of a legacy,” she said. “Having this rock here is so cool and it’s even better, especially since North decided to give it to us.”