Photo By Charlie Maib | Mr. Lee Seeba, Chief of Construction for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Japan...... read more read more
The word on everyone’s lips seem to be “extraordinary” during a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Robert D. Edgren Middle High School on Misawa Air Base, Nov. 4.
“The Edgren staff and I feel privileged to serve our military-connected students as they develop academically, socially, physically, and emotionally in our extraordinary 21st century school – because Edgren is extraordinary,” proclaimed Jason Sheedy, EMHS principal, at the start of the ceremony.
The high-profile event was attended by distinguished visitors including Col. Jesse Friedel, commander of 35th Fighter Wing, Misawa Air Force Base; Capt. Paul Hockran, Naval Air Facility Misawa Commander; Lois Rapp, Department of Defense Education Authority Pacific director of student excellence; and Thomas Brady, director of the DODEA, who flew in to attend the event from Alexandria, Va.
“This $33 million dollar renovation is a remarkable, or perhaps an even extraordinary investment of behalf of the Department of Defense,” Brady said. “These schools and renovations will be around for the next 75 to 80 years, and that underscores the strategic alliance with the country of Japan.”
EMHS has been under heavy renovation for several years. The project saw the students and faculty relocate for a large portion of the work, returning to the building recently for the 2021 – 2022 school year. Work done on the building included a complete overhaul of the school’s heating system — critical in the snowy areas of Misawa— new lighting fixtures, and a renovated gymnasium featuring one of the largest, most powerful celling fans in northern Japan.
“We are proud to see this significant investment in the community, evidenced by the facility we now have available,” remarked Capt. Hockran during his address to students and faculty. “This newly-renovated facility will be a huge addition [to excellence in education] and an additive ensuring the mission can be achieved of being able to engage, educate, and empower military-connected students to success in a dynamic world.”
The Japan Engineer District decided that such a lofty undertaking by their Misawa Resident Office and their partner NES Pacific deserved matched recognition. This was represented by a full-color plaque presented to EMHS principal, Jason Sheedy, from Lee Seeba, P.E., JED’s chief of construction.
“We want to present the teachers and the students this plaque to be displayed [in the entryway to the building],” Seeba said — gesturing to the newly-replaced doors of the school. “Not every project gets this. This is extraordinary. And because it was an extraordinary accomplishment and this school really represents the Misawa Edgren school spirit… it’s my honor to present to you [this plaque] on behalf of Col. Gary Bonham, JED commander.”
Although the ceremony marked the official opening of EMHS, the facility itself has been in use since the school year began with students, JED teammates, and NES Pacific contractors — balancing the students’ educational time with ongoing construction efforts day and night. The EMHS Project is anticipated to be fully complete by spring 2022.
| Date Taken: | 11.04.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 11.08.2021 02:41 |
| Story ID: | 408850 |
| Location: | AOMORI, JP |
| Web Views: | 82 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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