Juneteenthperspectives

in the United States. My favorite part of Juneteenth is the street dance on Friday night and the parade on Saturday.

--BETTYE LOFTON

Why is it important to celebrate Juneteenth? As Black Americans we have a very rich heritage, we experienced some good bad and ugly. We celebrate this day we call Juneteenth so our future generations will understand that a lot of blood sweat and tears paved the way for them to be free and enjoy what they have achieved and obtained today. The struggle is real. Juneteenth is every day for us. --

REVEREND RONALD W. & LADY CAROLYN CARTER

What I love about Juneteenth is why we celebrate it and the beautiful history around it. It is also a time where beautiful African Americans can get together and truly celebrate freedom and how far we have come.

CHARLES “BAM” WILSON

It is important to celebrate Juneteenth in order to keep the memories alive. I’m

BISHOP MAYES

part of four generations that celebrated Juneteenth. Because of Juneteenth, the history, stories and traditions related to Juneteenth and life were passed down to younger generations. --

My favorite part of the Elgin Juneteenth festival is the street dance, parade, the food and seeing all my old friends and family. --

DEACON J.C. WILLIAMS JR.

District breaks ground on Harvest Ridge Elementary School to open in 2024

Elgin Independent School District on April 5 broke ground on its fourth elementary school, Harvest Ridge Elementary, within the Harvest Ridge master planned community. The construction marks a significant milestone in projects funded through a voter-approved 2021 Elgin ISD Bond Referendum. The bond package included funds for two new elementary schools, the first of which will be Harvest Ridge. Just over $38.4 million was set aside in the bond issue for the elementary school. “This is such an exciting moment for the Elgin community,” said Elgin ISD Superintendent of Schools Dr. Jana Rueter. “Harvest Ridge Elementary will provide a safe and nurturing environment for students to learn and grow, fostering a sense of community and collaboration. Future staff and students will benefit from the school’s overall design, which reflects Elgin ISD’s commitment to providing high-quality education for its students. We are excited to celebrate this investment in our community, and our children, and to see this new facility come to life.”

Homes, an Austin-based homebuilder and community development company, marks the first time in the school district’s history that residential developers have donated land for a public school. “We are honored to donate the land for Harvest Ridge Elementary and to partner with Elgin Independent School District on this exciting project,” said Brohn Homes co-founder Adam Boenig.

Harvest Ridge Elementary will be located on Harvest Ridge Boulevard, just northeast of Elgin High School.

“We look forward to how this new elementary school and the Harvest Ridge development will positively impact the City of Elgin, Elgin Independent School District, and the community as a whole. In addition, we look forward to seeing students, staff and community members thrive in their new learning environment.”

The 12-acre land site, donated by Brohn Homes, an Austin-based homebuilder and community development company, marks the first time in the school district’s history that residential developers have donated land for a public school.

The 12-acre land site, donated by Brohn

Harvest Ridge Elementary will be located on Harvest Ridge Boulevard, just northeast of Elgin High School. The new school, designed to accommodate between 800-900 students, will be built on the principles of creating a caring space, a sense of community, collaboration at the center, and a connection to the outdoors. The school is scheduled to open in Fall 2024. More information on Harvest Ridge Elementary School may be found online at www.elginisd.net/Bond