By Jackson Schneider
MANHATTAN, Kan. — USD 383 Manhattan-Ogden officially opened the newest addition, Oliver Brown Elementary, to its roster of schools Saturday with a ribbon cutting in front of staff, students, families, and members of the community.
The opening ceremony took place in front of the school's main entrance with speeches from USD 383 Board of Education President Jurdene Coleman, Oliver Brown Principal Erin Lopez, and others. From there, a ceremonial ribbon cutting officially opened the school for the public to explore.
"It's a dream come true," said Erin Lopez, the first Principal of Oliver Brown Elementary. "When I started education, I never thought I would be here. It's an opportunity for change, it's an opportunity for me to support and impact my community and I couldn't ask for anything better."
Lopez, a native of Manhattan, grew up just miles from the school she will now have the pleasure and responsibility to open. "I've been holding back tears all day, but it's exciting, it's people. The students that will come here are the kids of people I grew up with and they're people that I will continue to be part of this community with and so it's very personal to set this up and be a positive impact," said Lopez.
The school, which will sport the mascot of the Bisons, is named after Oliver Brown, who was a plaintiff in the 1954 Supreme Court Case of Brown v. the Topeka Board of Education, fighting, and eventually winning the battle to desegregate schools in the United States.
Oliver Brown teachers and staff have been in their new building for just three days prior to the grand opening, but will have just over a week to continue preparations for back-to-school, when students arrive on August 18th.
