Fine Arts Showcase features renovations at Sadler, MHS

Oct. 14—Manual Training High School graduate Margaret McIntosh Taylor saw an old school photo of herself while touring Sadler Arts Academy on Friday.

Sadler, originally MTHS, was part of Muskogee Public School's Fine Arts Showcase. During Friday's showcase, Taylor joined dozens of other Muskogee residents touring the newly renovated Sadler, plus Muskogee High School's newly renovated fine arts area and office.

Sadler's overhaul included dedicating part of its gymnasium as MTHS Alumni Center. The center features part of the bleachers. One wall features Manual Training yearbook photos superimposed over the school song.

"I was in Future Homemakers of America and I was band queen," Taylor said, pointing to the wall. "That's a ninth grade picture of me over the flag, with the crown and the flowers. It's overwhelming to see the logo and the wording of our school song.

Perline Boyattia-Craig, a 1969 MTHS graduate, said the alumni center brings back all sorts of memories.

"This is where we had our learning," she said. "It's memories of the games we had here and everything that took place in the gym."

The Sadler tour also featured renovations to the entry, auditorium and throughout the building as well a tribute to Sadler's recent recognition by the U.S. Department of Education as a National Blue Ribbon School.

Sadler Principal Ronia Davison told visitors she wanted to show what teachers and students do to help Sadler earn Blue Ribbon status.

"It's a very rigorous process," she said. "They examine everything that we do, not only academically, but socially and emotionally. Attendance is measured, everything we do. To be nominated for this accolade is amazing, but to actually repeat this honor is a very big deal (Sadler earned the award in 2016)."

The Muskogee High School tour focused on additions and renovations in the fine arts area, including a new band room and storage area. Visitors heard from the MHS band, the MHS choir and from theater students.

Visitors also passed through the newly renovated B-unit, where the main entrance and offices were relocated.

Retired teacher Lori Martin, MHS Class of 1982, said she was impressed "to see where the English department used to be, it's all office space."

Lori Ragsdale, a 1976 graduate who taught at MHS until 2009, said she was impressed with how well the students behaved in the renovated areas.

"They seemed real proud of their school, they're not tearing it up," Ragsdale said. "Because back in the day, that's what they used to do, tear it up."

Renovations to Sadler and MHS were funded mostly by a bond issue passed in 2019.