MARYSVILLE — Its first day of school was Sept. 7, but the Marysville Getchell High School campus conducted its official dedication ceremony in its gymnasium Sept. 18.

Marysville Getchell High School Planning Principal Tracy Suchan Toothaker described the new school as forward-thinking facility that would support students’ needs well into the future, while Marysville School District Assistant Superintendent Gail Miller named a host of city and school district officials, Tulalip Tribal members, area elected officials and local community members who helped bring about the school’s completion.

“The word ‘impossible’ was never heard in our conversations,” Suchan Toothaker said. “Because we dared to dream, we made this school a reality.”

Jim Hazen, an alumnus of Pilchuck High School, praised the school district for restoring the Pilchuck Chargers.

“I’m thrilled to see the green and gold back,” said Hazen, while wearing colors to match. “The district kept its promise to us. I guess all I can say now is ‘Go Chargers.'”

Marysville School Board President Cindy Erickson acknowledged that the district has needed another high school campus since her own children started school 20 years ago. She expressed the belief that Marysville Getchell and Marysville-Pilchuck High School will push each other to achieve more, academically and athletically, through the spirit of competition.

“I have a lot of red in my closet, but I did find a green tie,” Superintendent Dr. Larry Nyland laughed, before turning serious. “This school is designed for learning. It’s a monument to learning.”

Nyland noted that each school building includes unique features specific to its Small Learning Community — a forensics lab for the Bio-Med Academy, a construction lab for the Academy of Construction and Engineering, a student store for the School for the Entrepreneur and a TV studio for the International School of Communications — as well as flexible configurations that will allow each school to adapt to future needs.

Nyland and John Bingham, capital projects director for the district, credited a number of people with helping complete the school under budget and a year ahead of schedule, including the architectural DLR Group and general contractor/construction manager Absher Construction.

“You don’t just wake up one morning to find it’s done early,” Nyland said. “There were times when they had 100 workers and 50 pieces of equipment on site, working literally around the clock, with backup machines and backup workers available in case the plans changed, which they did.”

Nyland and Bingham also cited the city of Marysville’s assistance in the permitting process, while Nyland added his thanks to the school district’s voters, patrons, parents, students and staff.

Before the ceremonial ribbon was cut, Craig Mason of the DLR Group and Curt Gimmestad of Absher Construction presented Nyland and Erickson with a mounted key to the school campus and a photo of one of its walkways as a tribute to the district’s vision, which Mason and Gimmestad described as inspiring.