Wachusett welcomes first day; Renovation is completed.

Byline: Lisa D. Welsh

HOLDEN - Wachusett Regional High School students applauded and cheered when Principal William P. Beando welcomed them to the first lunch of their first day back at school yesterday.

That kind of response might typically be reserved for the last day of school, but not for students who had to eat lunch in the gymnasium during the $82 million renovation of a school that went over budget by $12 million and over deadline by two years. Of the school's 390,000 square feet, 230,000 are new.

Yesterday was the first day of school for all students in the Wachusett Regional School District, which serves Holden, Paxton, Princeton, Rutland and Sterling. Superintendent Thomas Pandiscio said that, beyond the inevitable bus problems, school was off to a great start in the district.

There was a new principal at Glenwood Elementary School with Anthony A. Gasbarro, but it was the high school where the biggest changes could be found, such as no more eating while birds flew overhead.

"We had to eat lunch in the gym our freshman year and there were birds flying everywhere," said Scott McKenna, a senior from Rutland.

Mr. McKenna was eating yesterday at one of the cafeteria's spacious round tables in what could double for a set in a "High School Musical" movie. He and some of the 124 senior class members wearing the black and green polo shirts of the "Wachusett Freshmen Mentors" were taking a break from assisting new students and incoming freshmen.

"Every year, the first day of school for us, as freshmen, sophomores and juniors, would be like coming to a new school because another area would be open or rerouted," said Matt Hoch, also a senior from Rutland. "We'd come in and wouldn't know where to go."

"We went through all of the progressions of the renovation," said Ben Frechette, a senior from Holden. "This is the first year that the whole school has come together."

The cafeteria is a central location used by all students and the place where students such as Samantha Bolivar, Cassie Driscall and Kelly Werme, all juniors from Holden, and junior Allyson Duval of Sterling exchanged hugs and laughs on the first day back at school.

"It's much easier to get around," said Miss Duval.

"There's no more excuse to be late to class," said Miss Werme as the others laughed at the memory of renovation-era rerouting.

With the renovation complete, students no longer travel outside to one of 10 temporary trailers for class. Instead, they have new, state-of-the-art classrooms and every room is stocked with a projector and screen.

Duncan Leith, chairman of the building committee, said a lot of work on the grounds was finished during the summer. He said members of the school's athletic teams helped spread stone and wood chips at the fields.

"It's 99 percent finished," Mr. Leith said. Unfinished work includes sink and toilet installation at the facility for outdoor games.

"It's really aggravating that these things should have been done a long time ago," he said. "But the views from the higher elevations are spectacular."

In fact, the renovated high school looks more like a new, well-lit school with an open design.

"The best part about the design is there is so much light," said Mr. Beando, watching students in the halls between periods as they looked thoughtfully for their classrooms.

Meanwhile, Mr. Beando couldn't resist buffing skid marks off the hallway tile.

"The students are respectful," said Mr. Beando. "You can see it. It's not just the school that is different. Student behavior is affected by their surroundings. There was a gloominess throughout the building before and the kids reacted to that. Now students can sense that this is a special place"

Staff and faculty were sensing it, too.

"The whole music wing is magnificent," said Mariam Jensen, co-band director who teaches in the art and music wing, which boasts 16 practice rooms.

With a broad smile, Mrs. Jensen recalled the music department was "the first to go" during the renovation process. There were numerous inconveniences, like the time that scaffolding was installed, sparks from a welder melted through the roof, and rainwater ruined a timpani.

"But this is fabulous. It's a state-of-the-art music department" she said. "It was well worth the wait. Way worth it."

ART: PHOTOS

CUTLINE: (1) Wachusett Regional High School Principal William P. Beando stands in the hall as students pass by on the first day of school yesterday. (2) A big welcome awaits those entering Wachusett Regional High School.

PHOTOG: T&G Staff Photos/CHRISTINE PETERSON