Final Aloha: Larson Elementary Celebrates Decades of Memories with Luau

Brightly colored leis, food, music, and an outpouring of community pride took over Larson Elementary School on May 19 as generations of students, staff, and families came together for one last, vibrant Luau—a bittersweet farewell to the place that held so many memories. Laughter mixed with tears as the Larson community gathered in celebration as they said goodbye to their beloved school.

Though there has been no official notification, the school, along with Glacier View School and Meadow Lakes Elementary are being shuttered for “consolidation” as the school district tries to reconcile a budget shortfall and are shutting their doors forever this week.

The school administration, supported by students and the Family Teacher Association (FTA), hosted a memorable milestone luau for the student body. Attendees enjoyed a festive Hawaiian buffet and live music from the Jerry Wessling Band. A highlights of the event featured current and former teachers gathering together to sing the Larson Elementary School song.

FTA President Alyson Coffman reminded the community that while the building may close, the spirit of Larson never will. "We want to say thank you to our teachers and our staff, and of course all of you. You always come out, you always support us. We might not get to roam these hallways next year, but we’re all going to be Eagles forever.”

For Librarian Taylor Rajek, Larson wasn't just a place of employment; it was a sanctuary where she watched her kids grow and found her own purpose. What started as volunteering blossomed into a return to teaching, driven by the tight-knit family atmosphere. “It’s a family,” she says, grappling with the heartbreaking prospect of leaving it behind. The uncertainty of the past few months has been a quiet crisis, and her heart aches for the students. Despite her worry over the emotional toll this will take on them, saying the staff remains focused on the children. She worries deeply about the trauma they are enduring, driving her to maintain a brave face for the kids.

Visiting a table filled with memories, original Larson student Amanda Mangum felt the devastating reality of the school's closure. Reminiscing over the first mascot, the first yearbook, and gathering together after 9/11, the nostalgia quickly turned to heartbreak. "It’s sad to see the school, where you spend an important time in your life, a part of your community, close down," Amanda said. For a place that held so much of her history, the final goodbye was simply heartbreaking.

Schleich also paid a visit to his former school, recalling the memories of the first few years establishing the school as he flipped through a scrapbook he helped create that documented the first year of the school, recalling the work to get a bond passed, the ongoing construction at the time, and his fondest memory--playing football with the students during recess, often taking up the position of quarterback for both teams. “If we did it right, we would be tied when the bell rang,” he laughed. “It was so good.”

When thinking about the looming school closure, Schleich said he was sad to see it happen, but not surprised. “It’s sad. I appreciate what’s happening. We live in Anchorage, and that’s what’s going on there-we close elementary schools because we’re losing population.” He was later gifted a picture of him as a fifth-grader that had hung in a place of honor at the school.

Students had an opportunity to leave thank-you notes to the teachers and staff. Fourth grader Darbee had a simple message that seemed to sum up the feelings of most people at the luau: “It’s so sad that Larson is closing, but as Larson always says, ‘once an Eagle, always an Eagle.’

For Darbee, the school’s talent show stage is where her heart lives—a final, joyful dance shared with her best friend. But when asked what she’ll miss, her answer is a heartbreaking 'everything.' This sentiment is echoed by her mother, Caity, who is facing an uncertain future with a heavy heart. Describing the school closure as 'pretty tough,' Caity mourns the loss of a tight-knit community where friends and families grew together. 'Not seeing all those familiar faces coming back next year... it’s just going to be different,' she says, navigating the anxiety of leaving behind a second family."

As the luau drew to a close, school secretary Kelly O’Malley tearfully took a moment to thank everyone for coming out and paying tribute to the laughter, friendships, learning and love that filled the school hallways for 25 years. “As you know, Larson was never just a building. It is a family, it is a home, and it is a place where so many memories were made. Though today is the end of an era, the spirit of Larson will live on.”

With a heavy heart, she the rang the bell one last time, summoning everyone for one last walkthrough of the school that has meant so much for so many.