New DHS: It was all worth it

District architect Paul Lunsford stood on the sidewalk nearby as Tuesday's dedication the new Du Quoin High School unfolded.

In a quiet and reflective mood about the 10-year funding journey and four-year construction journey, he said, "I really think it was Divine Providence" that allowed the construction of the 180,000 square foot campus.

In financial terms, it has been a $20 million journey, some of it paid for through the support of Du Quoin taxpayers who approved a half-cent sales tax to fund the local share of bonding.

It is a capital development program that has been through four Du Quoin High School principals, a mountain of success and only a handful of miscues along the way. "It was all worth it," said Supt. Dr. Gary Kelly.

Pastors Dan McKinnies of the Pentecostal Church and Rev. Lon McPherson of Liberty Church, both prayed that God's hand galvanize the moral fiber of the students and staff as well as the community as learning becomes front and center in this new campus.

It was an especially meaningful afternoon for John Vancil, a Du Quoin board member since 1968 and the longest serving board member in Illinois. He has seen the complete transformation of a district from old to new.

"We have a beautiful new school," said board president Mike Ward. "There are a lot of great memories of the old school which will remain in our hearts."

Dr. Gary Kelly and architect Paul Lunsford took the 200 in attendance through a brief history of the journey.

The senior class of 2014 have endured construction in every year and through it all their test scores have risen. a tribute to how resilient they have been.

Mayor Rex Duncan commented it is a campus of "entrepreneurial students and innovation" and that "The advantages of a well-educated people here will echo for decades."

In recent weeks, several classmates here for reunions have toured the building and were overwhelmed. A reception and tours followed the ribbon-cutting.