Wednesday afternoon students, staff, alumni and community leaders gathered under a clear sunny sky for a ceremonial ribbon cutting that ushered in the start of a year long birthday celebration. Mishawaka High School saw its first students cross the threshold of the main doors in August of 1924. Indiana State Representative Dale DaVon, Mishawaka Mayor Dave Wood and MHS honorary senior, sharing a centennial birthday with MHS, alum Van Gates spoke to the students gathered at the clock tower on the front lawn of the school.
MHS principal, Chad Brugh began the ceremony, “ in 1924, the original building of Mishawaka High School was constructed at a cost of $800,000, a significant investment that spoke to the community’s unwavering commitment to providing its young people with the tools and resources necessary to unlock their full potential, empowering them to become the leaders, innovators, and change-makers of tomorrow.”
Mayor Wood told the crowd,“I know of really no other buildings, no other school corporations, that can boast of having a building not only of this beauty, but of this age in their community.” He said,” It is in many ways the heart and soul of Mishawaka.” As a gift to the school and community, Mayor Wood declared August 14, 2024 as “Mishawaka High School Centennial School First Day of School Day” in Mishawaka.
Class of 1942 member and successful community business owner, Gates said,”When I was a student I lived two blocks away from the school and thought,what a beautiful school. I was happy to go here.” Gates, who donated $10,000 to the school for signage around the campus and in the building, continued, “It's been a chore for the principals and superintendent and the city and all the people involved who do the improvement over the years that made it necessary for what it is today…This school is so big now with the additions that it is hard to know where to go. This [signage and donation] will help people get around the building.”