NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. — There’s remodeling in the media center, classrooms are being gutted, and the Ridgewood Rams logo is even gone from the center of the basketball court.
“The fact that it’s not going to be Ridgewood anymore is really sad,” said junior Alexis Stephens. “It’s really upsetting, because I have a lot of school pride.”
Alexis and her friend Sarah Scalisi are both coming back for their senior year, but it will be a much different place.
“I honestly thought they were ruining my life at first,” said Scalisi.
The Pasco School Board decided to convert Ridgewood High School in New Port Richey to Wendell Krinn Technical School.
There will be programs including biomedical, cyber security, and robotics.
Joshua Sass will concentrate on automotive technology.
“I don’t really know what I want to do after high school. But automotive is really one of those skills you really need to pick up and it helps a lot in the future,” he said.
Principal Chris Dunning has the job of transforming this school in less than a year. He says that’s why they’ve started the construction now. They’ve moved a couple classes.
And some teachers have transferred, leaving students to finish those courses online.
“It’s kind of disruptive but we all understand. But it’s just sad to see all these changes happening and knowing it’s not going to be Ridgewood next year. It’s not going to be the pride of Pasco like it used to be,” said Scalisi.
“I know a lot of my teachers, and sponsors of my clubs are leaving. And my peers are leaving. It’s going to be a different environment. It’s going to be different which is kinda scary,” said Stephens.
Ridgewood is planning a closing ceremony on May 22.
They’ll welcome alumni back and even give pictures and trophies away, all clearing the way for a new school and a new identity.
