End of an era: Bend High students say goodbye to old building on last day of school

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) - Today marked the final day of classes for many schools in the Bend-La Pine district, including Bend Senior High School. For students at Bend High, this last day carried extra significance as the school's old building is scheduled for demolition.

The occasion was the last time students would walk through the school's Commons area, a central gathering spot with a long history in the community.

Students shared their memories of the school with KTVZ News, reflecting on the building's role in their lives.

Wyatt Holmberg, a junior, expressed the changes he witnessed during his time at the school. “It's pretty crazy. I mean, my freshman year, we had the whole building, all of it. And then slowly since then, stuff is gone away and it's definitely different. But I'm excited for the new building. It's big. It's cool. And I'm happy to get in there.”

Another junior, Sofia Matrisciano, recalled her long-standing connection to the school's Commons. “I have done things in the Commons since I was like 6 years old. It's really a community place, not just for our school. It's just memories, even throughout my childhood and then throughout high school, it's going to be an interesting experience to just not have that anymore.”

As the final bell rang, the school principal delivered a special farewell message to the original school over the public address system. The principal then played the song "Don't You (Forget About Me)" by Simple Minds.

A portion of the new Bend High School building is expected to be finished by the fall. However, the entire construction project will continue through the upcoming school year and beyond.