The older you get, the more distant childhood becomes. Childhood memories, however, seem to cling a little stronger than most. I have a hard time remembering what I did last week, but I have vivid memories of being four years old and walking with dad from our parking spot near what is now Citizens Tri-County Bank to the Park Theater to see "Superman The Movie" in 1978. I remember my Pa taking me to a rodeo at the Warren County Fairgrounds and buying me a cowboy hat when I was very young. I remember going with my parents to the Civic Center in 1979 to see the Harlem Globetrotters featuring “Sweet” Lou Dunbar, Geese Ausbie and Curly Neal, among others. And I have strong memories of Eastside Elementary School.

I attended Eastside from kindergarten all the way through sixth grade, which is as far as Eastside went at the time. I didn’t live in the Eastside area but my dad taught there for 30 years and my mom served there as a substitute teacher for 12 years and then as a teachers assistant for 8 years. So, I rode with dad on the nearly 20-minute trip to school every day. 

Being the child of a teacher meant I probably spent a little more time at the school than the typical student. I arrived earlier and stayed later than most students who weren't keeping teacher's hours and, much to my chagrin, part of my summer vacation was cut short every year by having to go with dad to help him get his classroom ready for students.

I say all of that to say I'm very familiar with the Eastside School building. Because of my history with the place, I jumped at the chance to attend the school's open house last Thursday held to showcase the new classrooms and offices that have recently been added. My wife and I also brought my mom along so she could see her old stomping grounds and could see dad's former classroom. 

My first thought walking the halls was the core part of the building I attended seems a lot smaller than I remember it. I guess being a couple feet taller will change your perception of the size of a building. After getting over feeling like I was now the Incredible Hulk striding down the once-huge halls, I was impressed by the investment and work Warren County Schools has put into Eastside to ensure many more generations of students will have the great school experience I had. 

After reminiscing with fellow former Bulldog Michael Bell about which teachers were in which rooms when we were there, we ventured into the new additions and left with a sense of pride in our old school and the new environment created by the recent construction. 

So thank you and congratulations to Director of Schools Dr. Grant Swallows, the Warren County School System, the Warren County School Board and the Eastside faculty and staff for all the work that was done to improve Eastside Elementary. Dad would have been proud to see what's been done at the place he spent his entire teaching career.

Go Bulldogs!

Standard Managing Editor Seth Wright can be reached at (931) 473-2191