Ok, Pine Hills. This is it. Here is your chance to join a community-wide celebration of the recent opening of the new campus of Maynard Evans High School:

On this Saturday, January 21, at 10 a.m., school and government officials, students, residents and community leaders will march in a parade, starting at the intersection of North Powers Drive and Silver Star Road and ending at the new campus (4949 Silver Star Road).

In addition to the parade which will disperse at the school’s stadium, plans for Saturday’s celebration include campus tours, food and entertainment, as well as a dedication ceremony.

There is good reason to celebrate.

The original Maynard Evans High School stood near the corner of Pine Hills and Silver Star Roads for more than 50 years. In recent years, Orange County School District officials said the school was rundown and needed to be rebuilt.

The problem basically had to do with where to rebuild it, either farther west on the site of Evans 9th grade center near Ocoee or on the original site. Heated debates sparked. Eventually, officials decided to demolish the old campus and rebuild on the original site.

The newly rebuilt campus is the focal point of interest in the overall effort to revitalize Pine Hills, a densely populated area in west Orange County. The new campus opened to students on January 3.

© Orlando Community News, 2012