On Friday, Aug. 29, Newark Memorial High School hosted its ribbon cutting ceremony to recognize the officially completed track and turf construction project at the school’s first home football game of the year. Many alumni returning for class reunions and future students attended the event to celebrate the venue—a new source of school pride.
Kicking off the event, Newark Memorial High School principal Michael Murphy recognized alumni and all contributors to the construction project. Newark Unified School District school board president Katherine Jones followed up with words of gratitude as well, recognizing that the project was made possible by Measure G bond sales.
“We can’t wait to see all the ways that it will benefit our athletic program here at Newark Memorial,” said Jones. “The board and the staff continue to look forward to the many more successful projects as we begin to enhance facilities funded by the [recently-passed] measure of school bond sales.”
For future projects, the school board recently formed the Citizens Bond Oversight Committee, which will work toward allocating taxpayer money for school construction projects.
Class of 2001 alumnus Barry Taimani acknowledged the valuable purpose the track and turf will be dedicated to. “Athletics here has always been about more than just wins and losses. It’s about building leaders, champions for life, young people who carry lessons of discipline, teamwork, respect and perseverance far beyond the field, court, mat, pole or track,” said Taimani. The new infrastructure will bring about high quality training and inspire countless memories and life lessons that will stick with each athlete for a lifetime.
Closing off the ceremony, athletic director Rachel Kahoalii lifted a pair of scissors to cut the ceremonial blue ribbon. “A ribbon cutting symbolizes new beginnings, success, growth and community engagement for businesses, projects and organizations,” said Murphy. “It marks an official opening or milestone, signifies unity, and creates awareness while acknowledging those who helped achieve the goal.”
With the successful completion of the track and turf project and many more potential projects to come, the future of Newark Memorial athletics looks bright.
