Topping off ceremony held for Wynne High School rebuild

WYNNE — Yesterday marked an important point in the rebuild of Wynne High School following the March 31, 2023, tornado.

A topping-off ceremony was held on the high school campus, marking the placement of the final steel beam for the project.

Wynne High School principal Dusty Meek said it has been a long journey to get to this point.

“It’s another point in the journey,” he said. “We start with the rebuilding part, the planning and then the groundbreaking, concrete being poured and the steel erecting. This is just another point in that journey. Hopefully, the next one is to see it enclosed and then eventually finally being able to open the doors and go in.”

High school students have been attending classes on the temporary campus at the site of the old Raley mobile home park since soon after the tornado. In fact, students in the district missed only one day of class despite the loss of the high school.

Stephanie Lyons, assistant superintendent of the Wynne School District, is a 1989 graduate of Wynne High School. She said yesterday was a major day toward students returning to their rightful campus.

“It is such a blessing to see a new school going up for our students. A new place to start but all the great memories on this beautiful land are still here. It’s a big part of my life and I’m so glad to have an opportunity to have a chance to start a new future here in Wynne, Arkansas, with our students.”

The new Wynne High School is set to open with the start of the 2027-28 school year.