Hundreds Gather for First Look at Fort Meade's Newest School

About 50 minutes before Tuesday’s 5.8 magnitude earthquake, several hundred students and parents sat on the edge of their seats, eager to enter Pershing Hill, the newest elementary school at Fort Meade.

The $22.5 million facility covers more than 87,000 square-feet, almost double that of its predecessor. The new focal point for childhood development features an advanced computer lab, a rock-climbing wall in the gym and interactive white boards in every classroom.

At 1 p.m., parents, students and political figures gathered in front of the school to celebrate its ribbon cutting and hear from key individuals like Maryland Senator Ed DeGrange (D-District 32), County Councilman Jamie Benoit (D-District 4) and Superintendent of Public Schools, Dr. Kevin Maxwell.

“Our goal is to make Pershing Hill a place students hate to leave,” said Principal Tasheka Green.

“This event is more than just the opening of a building, it’s a new start for the community,” Maxwell said.

An emphasis on community was a resounding theme as speakers addressed the crowd. DeGrange said he was glad to see some of the $250 million available for Maryland school projects go towards Pershing Hill.

“[Pershing Hill], a gathering place for students to be better and more productive,” DeGrange said.

Eruptions of applause filled the air outside the school as parents and students expressed their excitement to look inside the facility. Councilman Benoit said Pershing Hill is a school that meets the needs of the younger generation but acknowledged there was competition when it came to seeing the community’s dream of a new school become a reality.

“It was not easy to get this school built,” he said. “There’s a lot of competition for school construction and development.”

Benoit also said the school will make it a bit easier to live at Fort Meade during the rapid growth due to BRAC.

To conclude the event, as those in attendance shuffled to the edge of their seats anticipating their chance to enter the school, new Installation Commander Col. Edward Rothstein expressed his pride in being connected to Fort Meade.

“It’s really cool, being able to be here and share in this event,” Rothstein said.

“My priorities are family, faith, honesty and integrity,” said Rothstein, all attributes that can be applied and connected to an excellent new school like Pershing Hill.

Upon cutting the ribbon, the font doors were opened and the community was allowed to finally see their new school.