Approximately 400 staff, students, families and alumni gathered on Saturday, October 12, to celebrate 30 years of excellence at Heritage Middle School. The day began at 9:00 a.m. with a 5K Fun Run/Walk on the beautiful Westerville North High School cross-country course. Proceeds from the Fun Run will help fund outdoor or library equipment for students at Heritage.
From 10:00 a.m. to noon, families were invited to enjoy free games, entertainment, a History of Heritage memorabilia table, tours of the school and food, which included birthday cake! This event was made possible by a collaboration between the members of Lifepoint Church, the Heritage PTSA and staff members.
Throughout the year, students and staff will continue to celebrate their 30th anniversary with monthly trivia, a writing contest, and the creation of a new time capsule. Heritage thanks the following community supporters for helping them celebrate 30 years of educating Westerville youth – Hoover Gardens, Jersey Mike’s, Keller Williams Realty - Michael Bean, Kroger, Liberty Bank, Lifepoint Church, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Rising Moon, Shirck Orthodontics, and Titus Graphics.
History
On November 4, 1986, a building bond was passed that allowed for the construction of Heritage Middle School. The 100-acre tract of land, where Robert Frost Elementary School, Westerville North High School and Heritage now stand, was purchased from Mrs. Una Day in 1973.
Heritage, Wilder Elementary School and McVay Elementary School were all dedicated on Sunday, October 15, 1989, at a Grand Re-Opening Ceremony.
The name Heritage, as explained by Westerville citizen Dave Coffman, was selected for the school because of the strong educational emphasis and support from the City of Westerville, its residents, and Otterbein College. It honored Westerville’s many “Heritage Families,” whose members attended Westerville Schools for multiple generations.
Enrollment in October 1989 was 1,046 students. The first principal was Robert Schultz, and Henry Clark was the first assistant principal. The building also housed 63 staff members and two secretaries.
Today, Dr. Dru Tomlin is the principal at Heritage Middle School, and Stuart Gartrell and Anitra Simmons are assistant principals. Some 100 staff members serve approximately 900 students.