Sixth Street Prep celebrates 100th anniversary of historic building in downtown Victorville
Vintage cars were on display in front of Sixth Street Prep as the community celebrated the 100th anniversary of the school's building in a historic part of downtown Victorville.
Victor Grammar School opened in 1922 as Principal Walter Feree, and his staff welcomed students to the new building nestled between Forest Avenue and A Street.
On Friday, Interim Principal Angela Bishop Cupp welcomed dignitaries, community leaders, parents, and children to the centennial celebration of the historical site.
"What an honor to be here to celebrate the 100th anniversary of this remarkable piece of history," Cupp told the Daily Press. "It's an amazing building with a lot of history."
Cupp added that there is an endless list of people throughout the decades to thank for getting the school and building to its milestone birthday.
A 'hub' of education
Representing the City of Victorville, Mayor Debra Jones told the audience, "Throughout the years, Sixth Street Prep has been known to provide a rich education that enables students to reach their full potential. You are known for excellence in education."
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The contributions to education by the school strengthen the entire city and the High Desert, Jones told the crowd.
Victor Elementary School District Superintendent Lori Clark said the district has been honored by the decades of work accomplished by those associated with the school.
Clark praised current and retired school leadership and staff's commitment to the school's success, which is seen as "a hub for this community."
She also applauded parents' dedication, who have demonstrated leadership throughout the community and outreach to serve the students at the school and across the VESD.
Clark spotlighted one parent who helped facilitate the English Learner Advisory Committees for the school and the entire district.
Living time capsule
Former Sixth Street Prep Principal Joan Blech called her 93-year-old mother, Dorothy Valentine Blech, a living time capsule as she moved to Victorville in 1935 and began attending the K-8 grammar school.
Dorothy Blech and her family lived in a home on A Street, between the grammar school and Seventh Street, where she watched the construction of a future Sixth Street Prep building adjacent to her home in 1939.
In 1957, student Joan Blech started kindergarten at Sixth Street Prep and was later transferred to Del Rey Elementary just before the original school ceased classes in 1960.
In 1982, the school was in danger of being sold or demolished, but strong public outcry led city leaders to preserve and later renovate the building.
"It's wonderful to see this building being restored," Joan Blech said. "So much of the old buildings and of course the people that we knew are long gone — history hasn't been preserved. So this is a remarkable feat."
Cupp thanked representatives of the city, the VESD School Board, cabinet members, former district superintendents and principals, as well as past and present staffers and students.
With a bouquet of flowers, Cupp recognized the school's Bilingual Instructional Assistant, Veronica Venegas, on her 22nd anniversary at the school.
As people enjoyed food, music, and conversation outside, visitors toured the historic building, including a long hallway that showcased a "100th Anniversary Timeline" of the "Escuelita," or little school.
The timeline included hundreds of old photos, yearbook pages, newspaper articles, awards, plaques, and other memories. A summary of the timeline featured milestone dates:
1922: Victor Grammar School opens
1960: Classes cease, and the building is used for storage.
1982: Renovation of the building begins. This came after the school district decided to sell or demolish the property. Strong public support led the city to negotiate the preservation of the building with the goal of a Historic Site nomination.
1985: The renovation process is completed, and an open house is held to celebrate the opening of the building.
2000: The VESD occupies the building, and Victor Primary becomes a charter school. Dr. Ralph Baker names it Sixth Street Prep under the leadership of Conny Ridgeway.
2001: Linda Mikel serves as principal. She designates and adopts the 10-A-Day Model, which results in the school garnering various awards and recognitions under her leadership. The awards include California Top Ranked Public School, Title 1 Academic Achievement, Blue Ribbon School, California Distinguished School, and Honor Roll School.
2003: Most parents request that the school adopt a uniform dress code.
2010: Linda Rueter serves as principal until 2014.
2014: Mariette Craig serves as interim principal until 2015.
2015: Collin Rowe serves as principal until 2021.
2021: Cupp becomes interim principal.
Renovation discoveries
When the city began renovating the school, many would stop and inquire about the large, boarded-up old building.
As the renovation continued, treasures — including textbooks, desks, old pictures and a hardwood floor hidden under many coats of paint — were discovered.
One dusty old gem was the large bell rung to call generations of children to school.
Footsteps echoed through the hallway as plans were made to move the city's Recreation Office into the building in September 1985.
As alums and the curious continued to visit the property, stories were told about the old school. There were also many small reunions as people came in to register for recreational programs.
According to school historians, one of the most heartfelt reunions was between Catherine Sapp Hutchins and Donald James.
James, who had been out of the Victor Valley for years, drove through the area and noticed the school. As he stepped in the door, Hutchins was leaving the building.
As the two met face-to-face, tears were shed as the duo embraced. Their laughter could be heard throughout the school as they shared stories of people, classmates and teachers.
As the recreation staff watched this scene, someone said, "Wouldn't it be nice to have a reunion of all the people who ever attended Old Victor School?"
On Sept. 20, 1986, approximately 200 alums, former administrators, teachers, friends and relatives gathered on the green lawn for the Old Victor School Reunion.
Sponsored by the city, the classes of "43- 48" Reunion Committee had guest speakers Jean Campbell and Harvey Irwin.
100-year old neighbors
As Sixth Street Prep celebrates its 100th anniversary, its neighbor is also celebrating its centennial year.
Located on Sixth Street, St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church's multi-day celebration began Thursday and continues through Oct. 31, the Daily Press reported.
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In 1922, St. Joan of Arc began as a mission with visiting priests from Barstow and San Bernardino celebrating Sunday Mass.
St. Joan of Arc became an entire parish in 1927, with Reverend P.J. Barry as the first pastor. The first church was built on the corner of Sixth and A streets.
Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at 760-951-6227 or RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on Twitter @DP_ReneDeLaCruz.