Howard County Elementary School Celebrates 100th Anniversary

WEST FRIENDSHIP, MD — The oldest continuously operating school building with the Howard County Public School System has turned 100 years old.

School leaders recently held a schoolwide celebration for its 100th anniversary. West Friendship Elementary was formally dedicated as West Friendship High and Consolidated School on Nov. 11, 1925, originally serving students in grades first through ninth and expanding to add grades 10th through 12th, but has served as an elementary school for most of its existence, according to the school district.

Howard County Executive Dr. Calvin Ball presented WFES Principal Dr. Debra O’Byrne with a proclamation declaring April 4 as West Friendship Elementary School Day in Howard County. In addition to students and staff, HCPSS Superintendent William Barnes, U.S. Rep. Sarah Elfreth, Howard County Executive Dr. Calvin Ball and County Councilman David Yungmann were on hand to celebrate along with former WFES principals and staff.

“It’s amazing to reflect on the countless lives that have been impacted at West Friendship over the past 100 years,” said Barnes at the ceremony. “While this building has undergone many changes, the one thing that has remained consistent is providing students with high-quality education.”

First graders sang revised lyrics to Katy Perry’s “Roar” song during the celebration.

“This school is more than just a building,” said current WFES Principal Dr. Debra O’Byrne. “It has been a place of inspiration, belonging and opportunity, full of rich traditions that carry on today. Generations of students have walked these halls, supported by dedicated educators, caring families and a community that believes in the power of education.”

Students from every grade were part of the centennial celebration and began by singing a new school song written by WFES music teacher Christen McCoy. Over the course of the afternoon, kindergartners shared 100 things they love about WFES; first-graders sang along to Katy Perry’s “Roar” with additional lyrics; second-graders shared acrostic poems about WFES; third-graders served as a talking timeline from the 1920s to present day; fourth-graders looked ahead 100 years; and fifth-graders served as emcees throughout the event and also helped open a time capsule from 2000 and created a new time capsule for students to open in 2050, the school district shared.