McCOMBS: Looking Back to the Past and Ahead to the Future
Members of the McCombs chorus perform at an event to re-dedicate the middle school after its $6.8 million renovation.
Wednesday was a blast from the past and Thursday was a tour of the future at the newly renovated and now rededicated McCombs Middle School.
The theme this week has been Re-Newell, as in Newell McCombs, the school’s namesake and former Superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools between 1941 and 1956.
McCombs first opened in 1974 as McCombs Junior High and Wednesday was a nod to the historical context of the school’s origins. Students and staff dressed in 70’s garb. Bell bottoms, tie-dyes, big hair, headbands and peace signs were everywhere and a 70’s trivia quiz piped over the intercom throughout the day in the guise of a ham radio broadcast, a nod to Newell McCombs’ avocation. Was that Vice Principal Connie Sloan or “Marcia, Marcia, Marcia” Brady coming over the air? And who knew School Improvement Leader Greg Grylls’ alter ego was “The Fonz”?
Thursday’s main event was an after-school rededication ceremony to mark the recently completed multi-million dollar renovations, the highlights of which were the addition of eight new permanent classrooms to replace the mobile ones formerly in use and the installation of a geothermal HVAC system that’s expected to cut the building’s energy costs by 35%.
Four generations of Newell McCombs’ descendants were present as well as some members of the school’s original faculty and staff. Dignitaries on the program ranged from 99 year-old Virginia Deuben, secretary for “Mr. Mac” during his tenure as superintendent, to current Student Council President Daniel McLaughlin sporting a fresh, two-toned haircut styled in the school colors of maroon and gold.
Principal Nancy Croy was the master of ceremonies for the rededication and music was provided by the McCombs band and newly formed choir. The choir opened the program with a spirited rendition of the Star Spangled Banner after a color guard from nearby Fort Des Moines presented the flag and closed the show with “Magic,” a hit song by Pilot in 1974 recently re-released by current teen pop sensation Selena Gomez. A reception and open house followed during which the big crowd in attendance was free to tour the new facilities.
At the age of 38, McCombs retains the adolescent energy and spirit of the population it serves. And now it’s rebuilt for a long haul into the future. One slight change to the Eagles’ school cheer may be called for though, highlighted as follows:
“Motivated, motivated, downright REdedicated.
We’re McCombs Middle School – hoorah!”
This story is part of ”Around the District in 180 Days,” a project by the DMPS Community Relations office to share stories about events, programs and people from each and every school in Des Moines during the 2012-13 school year.
