DELTA -- Nicki Beshears is proud to be among the first seniors at Delta High School to graduate from the district's newest addition.

"I expect that there will be a lot of pride in the school this coming year," said Beshears at the grand opening of the new, 19,900-square-foot high school building Sunday. "I'm really excited about all the changes going on around here."

Beshears sat in the new, air-conditioned cafeteria selling bricks from the old building to pay for library shelves in the new school.

"When the old building is torn down at the end of this month, we're going to give people who donate $1 a brick as sort of a keepsake," she said. "There are so many people in this community went to school in that building, graduated from it and have attended functions there for years. It's part of our community, and it's kind of sad to see it go."

Sunday, nearly the entire population of Delta turned out to see the result of an April 1993, $1.05 million bond issue passed by its citizenry.

The new high school building, which connects to the middle school, contains a library, cafeteria, a multipurpose area, administrative offices, and classrooms for special education, business, home economics and science.

The old high school, erected in 1922, will be razed at the end of July. School officials hope the demolition will be completed by Aug. 24, when classes resume.

"Today is an opportunity to see old friends and to bid farewell to a building that has served us so well, for so long," said Superintendent Larry Beshears, prior to the ribbon cutting ceremony, unveiling the new building. "As a community, we worked to get here today, to give something to our children, investing in their education."

Martha Nothdurft, president of the Delta Board of Education, agreed.

"The successes of a high school doesn't just depend on teachers and students," she said. "A school system cannot be considered to be truly successful without the support of the community. This community has again and again shown support for its schools and a commitment to its children."

Student safety and the structural integrity of the old building came into question in January 1993 when classes were canceled for two days after bricks began to crumble and fall. Four months later, by an overwhelming majority, the bond issue was passed by district voters.

The old building was heated by coal, and had no any air conditioners. Its replacement has climate control heater-air conditioning units in each room.

On Sunday, the cool air was a refreshing break for curious citizens and alumni who came to browse the building.

"The air conditioning is great," said Jennifer Rooker, a seventh grade student who will eat lunch, and use some of the classrooms in the new building in the coming year. "It was so hot in the other building in the fall and the spring. It really got uncomfortable."

Amy Wyckoff, also in seventh grade, looks forward to the time when she will take all her classes in the high school building.

"I think its really nice," she said. "It could use some decorations, but its a good start."

Co-Ann Below, who teaches fourth grade in the recently-renovated elementary school, said she has noticed a difference in her students' demeanor and attitude since the renovation.

"The cooler, atmosphere-controlled environments are more conducive to teaching and learning," said Below. "My students are more apt to listen and pay attention when they're not too hot or too cold."