At the invitation of Roger Robinson, board of education member for USD 112 Central Plains, the I-R was invited to document, with pictures, the final few hours of operation for Wilson Jr./Sr. High School.

A newspaper serves many functions in its community. One of the most lasting ones is to document history. Mr. Robinson, the son of the owners of the Wilson World newspaper, who also worked at the paper, knew that all too well. We are thankful for his invitation to watch the final minutes and seconds of the school year.

It wasn’t just any school year. It was the final one for the junior-senior high school in Wilson.

Please, Wilson-area residents, know that these words are not easy to type. Our assertion that it is the final school year is not a validation of the board’s actions, but rather a reflection of the current state of affairs.

We have held back much of the year, trying to let events unfold. To see where inquiries would lead. To let bills be voted into law.

Yes, change has happened, but not in a timely manner that alters the closing of the school.

Is it possible the school will re-open following a vote to disorganize/dissolve USD 112? Perhaps.

We don’t know the future. All we can do is report on the present, even if we don’t like it.

The comingling of laughter and tears on May 19 was expected. The hugs doled out to grade schoolers, also expected. The sendoff by the community in front of the gymnasium? Yup, we expected that, too.

If we’ve learned anything since the initial vote in April 2022 to shutter the school, it has been the ferocity of affection for the Wilson Dragons.

Support for the school spans the ages in the community. Young and not-so-young alike tirelessly supported the students and teachers through the year.

Thank you to the communities of Wilson and Dorrance, who have opened your hearts to us and trusted us to tell your story.

We know there is more story to tell, and as your community newspaper, the I-R pledges to continue to document the history of your community.

Karen Bonar Publisher