It’s a celebration 100 years in the making. On April 2, Fairview Elementary held a Centennial Celebration, marking a century of the school’s service to the community.
Students and teachers past and present joined for an assembly that included the presentation of a time capsule. It included the latest edition of The Fairview Town Crier, student works, and a photo of everyone in attendance for the celebration.
“Many things have changed over the years,” said principal Dr. Bonnie Bolado, addressing a crowd that included students decked in outfits from the last ten decades. “One thing has always been the same. It’s the people of this school who have always made it so special.”
Buncombe County Schools Associate Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Reed, who served as Fairview Elementary’s principal from 2011 to 2017, echoed those sentiments.
“Saying ‘Good Morning, Cardinals’ was an amazing way to start the day,” she told students, sharing stories of one of their favorite spots - the playground that opened during her time there, with help from the entire school community.
The celebration also included a special video from Holly Headrick of WLOS-TV. She shared memories of her time as a Fairview student, as well as notable stories the station has covered at the school over the years, including when it was named a National Blue Ribbon School in 2023.
The day concluded with a special reception for retired teachers who returned to visit, and a chance for everyone to visit the “Memorabilia Room” filled with yearbooks, pennants, diplomas, and photos from a century of Fairview School, curated by teachers Jennifer Gortney, Katie Cheatham, and Emma Stephens.
Students created one-of-a-kind Cardinal lapel pins to share with visitors who attended the celebration.
Earlier in the day, students participated in heritage stations. Special guests came to help share about daily life in the school's earliest years of existence.
Congratulations, Cardinals. Here’s to the next hundred years! Click here to see more photos from the celebration.
