"It was a very outstanding school. And I hate to see it close," said former superintendent Bill Everett.
Generations of Tye students were out to celebrate one hundred and seventeen years.
"We wanted to celebrate with as many people as we could to come back," said Tye mayor Nancy Moore.
Some were remembering times when school was let out so students could help out on the farms.
"We used to, they'd turn school out so we could help gather the crops. It was alright, hard work," said former student Elmo Moore, who started at Tye in 1936.
Others were telling stories about practical jokes that former principals used to play, including hiding a former teacher's class.
"I went into my classroom one time and nobody was there. And i didn't know where they were and i looked around, went to the office they didn't know," said former teacher Marjorie Pulder. "I went in the library and they weren't there, I couldn't see them there but he had them hidden behind the counter."
And it was the small size of the school that made an impact on many students.
"These children had a lot of good things happen to them here because it was a small school. And they developed a lot of leadership while they were here in elementary school," said Everett.
Every former student was sad to see Tye close, but they were glad that it was a part of their life.
"It's sad, it really is. Because a school is a vital part of your community. But anyways, we're going to make it work, and they're going to enjoy going to Merkel to school," said Nancy. "And that's just what we have to do."
Generations of Tye students were out to celebrate one hundred and seventeen years.
"We wanted to celebrate with as many people as we could to come back," said Tye mayor Nancy Moore.
Some were remembering times when school was let out so students could help out on the farms.
"We used to, they'd turn school out so we could help gather the crops. It was alright, hard work," said former student Elmo Moore, who started at Tye in 1936.
Others were telling stories about practical jokes that former principals used to play, including hiding a former teacher's class.
"I went into my classroom one time and nobody was there. And i didn't know where they were and i looked around, went to the office they didn't know," said former teacher Marjorie Pulder. "I went in the library and they weren't there, I couldn't see them there but he had them hidden behind the counter."
And it was the small size of the school that made an impact on many students.
"These children had a lot of good things happen to them here because it was a small school. And they developed a lot of leadership while they were here in elementary school," said Everett.
Every former student was sad to see Tye close, but they were glad that it was a part of their life.
"It's sad, it really is. Because a school is a vital part of your community. But anyways, we're going to make it work, and they're going to enjoy going to Merkel to school," said Nancy. "And that's just what we have to do."
