By Molly Seales

Riverdale Academy has begun the process of a building and grounds facelift as it begins its next 50 years. The first of many exciting projects happening at Riverdale is painting the outside of the annex building. This building includes the computer lab, junior high classrooms, and the pre-k classroom.  On Thursday, June 18, junior high teacher Brenda Rushing and her husband Michael Rushing power washed the building to prepare for the painting.  The painting began on June 19, and a total of fifteen people, which included faculty, board members, students, parents, and grandparents, came out to help better this school. The students who came out to help were Hana Catherine Huddleston, Ally Kate and Ellie Reese Hillman, and Makayla and Kaleigh Pickett. The adults who participated in painting were David Campbell, new principal Danny Rester, Debbie Johnson, Jodi Hodge, Lauren Hillman, Celeste Huddleston, Jeremy and Jennifer Pickett, and Brenda and Michael Rushing.  This project is not finished all the way but has already improved Riverdale’s campus, and we are excited to see what other projects are to come. 

I asked several people their thoughts on this project of beautifying our campus.  Our new principal Danny Rester said, “Project Rejuvenate Riverdale is an effort to improve and beautify the campus of Riverdale Academy.  A list of needed projects to help in this effort has been compiled.  All Riverdale families are invited to participate in the project.  Any completed projects will count toward the required hours in the Parent Participation Program.  In addition, any member of the community is invited to help us as we endeavor to make Riverdale an even more inviting and beautiful campus.  If you would like to participate, call the school, and we will be more than happy to point you in the right direction.”

Teacher Brenda Rushing, who will have one of the newly painted classrooms said, “I’m so excited about this.  I think it will be a much-needed facelift.” 

Riverdale graduate Celeste Huddleston said, “I am more excited than ever about the future of Riverdale Academy.  As a graduate of RA, and now a parent of students there, I have been around for a long time.  We are experiencing growth in our enrollment for the upcoming school year like I’m not sure I have ever seen.  But not just that; we are sprucing up our grounds, and we are focused on making the next 50 years even more amazing than the first 50 years.  Mr. Danny Rester will be the principal this year, and I’m super excited about many new ideas he has for the school.  When I was asked what I thought about ‘rejuvenate RA,’ all I could really think to say was that I want the children currently enrolled to experience this place like I did-all of it; to love it and to take pride in it; for it to feel like a safe second home to them.  As I watched the children paint and clean the other day in preparation for the new year, I saw that they understand what it means to have the ‘heart of a Riverdale Rebel.’  Seeing them take pride in their education and to be servant leader makes all of our hard work and sacrifice well worth it.  If you are looking for academic excellence offered in a small family atmosphere, we would love to take you on a tour of our campus.”

Stay tuned for pictures of the finished annex building and more upcoming projects!