An idea that started in 1954 and drew community support in 2013 came to fruition Thursday night at Lockwood High School.
The band marched into Lockwood Stadium and Superintendent Tobin Novasio was the first to say, "Welcome to Lockwood High School."
The Lockwood Boy Scout Troop 42 presented the colors and Principal Gordon Klasna and choir director Q Staton sang the National Anthem.
Others speaking included Lockwood School Board Chair Tim Sather, former State Sen. Taylor Brown, Rep. Sue Vinton, R-Billings, state Sen. Duane Ankey, R-Colstrip, and Lockwood Education Commitee Chair Chad Hanson.
The school's CTE building was named the Don Reed Center.
Novasio said Reed, who died in 2017, was instrumental in the formation of the high school.
The celebration started at the newly built Lions home field and finished with a ribbon-cutting in front of the high school.
"It's honestly amazing," said Novasio. "I honestly don't know if it's all settled in quite yet. I think one of these days this winter, I'm going to take a deep breath and say holy cow, look at what we've accomplished. The support we've had from our community out here is amazing."
"This is about government saying yes to local communities to be able to build something that they firmly in their heart believe, " said state Superintendent Elsie Arntzen.
Lockwood High school will have freshmen and sophomores this year, and school starts on Aug. 26.
