High school students commemorated their last day ever in the old Vashon High School building by leaving their mark, literally, on the school. On the last day of the term, Friday, Dec. 20, most teachers allowed and even encouraged students to write and draw in the classrooms and hallways. Walls became impromptu student art projects filled with names, quotes, jokes, doodles and more than one “YOLO,”  or “you only live once.” At the end of the day, Principal Danny Rock came on the intercom system and led a school-wide countdown to the final bell.

Students will return to classes on Monday in the new high school building, which will be unveiled to the community Sunday at an open house event (see story, page 4). The new school has been under construction next to the old one for more than a year, since the fall of 2012, and district and VHS staff spent more than a month packing supplies and preparing for the big move over winter break. Crews will begin demolition of the main building as well as building B and the maintenance building in mid-January.