Students at Burns Elementary School react to photos of themselves and friends which were part of a PowerPoint presentation

Excitement ruled the day Tuesday as the Burns Colts played host to Laramie County School District No. 2, state and local dignitaries and community members as the ribbon was cut officially opening the new Burns Elementary School.

"I like it a lot," sixth-grader Celeste Jackson said of the new digs as she greeted visitors to the festivities. "I like the library the best — it’s big and open and you can see outside."

Waiting on the activities to begin, principal Jerry Burkett said the move from the West Elementary buildings went "as smoothly as can be expected for moving midway through the year."

He said students have written stories about how they love the new school and its playground.

"They like that they don’t have to go outside during the day for classes, especially when it is so cold," he added.

Fifth grade teacher Diane Wedl welcomed everyone to the ceremony and students helped lead the Pledge of Allegiance before singing "God Bless America."

District facilities manager Troy Decker introduced a host of special guests from board members and town and state officials to engineers and others who got their hands dirty creating a brick and mortar learning environment from a pasture.

Board chairwoman Esther Davison addressed her remarks to the students, asking them for input on what the most important thing in the new building was. "Friends," "family," "equipment, technology," and "books," were some answers given.

"You’re still missing something really important," Davison encouraged. She was rewarded with "teachers who will teach us."

"You have to have people," Davison affirmed. "Teachers who care about teaching, kids who care about learning, parents who care about learning. Everyone has a part in learning. We need to make Burns Elementary the best ever!"

LCSD2 superintendent Jack Cozort noted in his remarks that the new building should serve as a model for multiple concepts in future school design, but "the true excitement will exist when teaching and learning are being completed, but completed using all the physical and technological aspects offered and incorporated into this building and as a brick and mortar building becomes a place of influence and love.

Cozort challenged the students and staff to begin creating a history that includes a love of reading, math and literature, "but most importantly that this building serve as a place that provides students a starting point that will lead to graduation and lead students toward a positive future."

"Do great work and do great learning and do great deeds!" he encouraged. "Be proud, be positive and be the best you can be. You have a great opportunity placed before you, so use the resource as wisely as possible."

Students, faculty and guests were treated to a PowerPoint detailing the move from old to new, from being West Elementary School Tigers to Burns Elementary School Colts. The students then joined in singing, "This Land Is Your Land."

The ribbon was then cut by Cozort, Davison, Burkett and student council president Matison Mikesell.

Closing the ceremony, Burkett took the stage, thanking everyone for the hard work put into the project. He reminisced about the process, of looking at pictures and drawings of what could be and worrying if the right decisions were made.

"Anytime there is change, it can be difficult," he said, adding his staff put many hours of "planning, preparation, packing, moving, unpacking and getting rooms set up so that the students did not miss opportunities to learn."

He specifically thanked the staff and students for their hard work, then thanking the Wyoming School Facilities Commission, board of education and the town of Burns, opened the building for tours.

After the festivities, Burns mayor Phil Oakes noted the opening of the building had been a long time coming and it is a huge step forward for the town.

"What a great thing for the kids," he said. "The future starts here!"