West Friendship Elementary Celebrates 100 Years

May 6th, 2025

WFES 5th graders who researched different decades throughout WFES history for their Gifted and Talented Instructional Seminar.

On Friday, April 4, West Friendship Elementary School (WFES) hosted a schoolwide celebration for its 100th anniversary.

While many schools in Howard County have hit significant milestones over the years, West Friendship is the school system’s oldest continuously operating school at 100 years. The school was formally dedicated as West Friendship High and Consolidated School on Nov. 11, 1925, originally serving students in grades 1 through 9 and expanding to add grades 10 through 12 but has served as an elementary school for most of its existence.

Howard County Executive Dr. Calvin Ball presented WFES Principal Dr. Debra O’Byrne with a proclamation declaring April 4 as West Friendship Elementary School Day in Howard County.

In addition to students and staff, HCPSS Superintendent William Barnes, U.S. Rep. Sarah Elfreth, County Executive Dr. Calvin Ball, and County Councilman David Yungmann were on hand to celebrate along with former WFES principals and staff. Dr. Ball issued a proclamation declaring April 4 as West Friendship Elementary School Day in Howard County.

“It’s amazing to reflect on the countless lives that have been impacted at West Friendship over the past 100 years,” said Superintendent Barnes. “While this building has undergone many changes, the one thing that has remained consistent is providing students with high-quality education.”

First graders sang revised lyrics to Katy Perry’s “Roar” song.

“This school is more than just a building,” said current WFES Principal Dr. Debra O’Byrne. “It has been a place of inspiration, belonging and opportunity, full of rich traditions that carry on today. Generations of students have walked these halls, supported by dedicated educators, caring families and a community that believes in the power of education.”

Students from every grade were part of the centennial celebration and began by singing a new school song written by WFES music teacher Christen McCoy. Over the course of the afternoon, kindergartners shared 100 things they love about WFES; first-graders sang along to Katy Perry’s “Roar” with new lyrics; second-graders shared acrostic poems about WFES; third-graders served as a talking timeline from the 1920s to present day; fourth-graders looked ahead 100 years; and fifth-graders served as emcees throughout the event and also helped open a time capsule from 2000 and created a new time capsule for students to open in 2050.

Third graders presented a talking timeline from the 1920s to present day.

Additionally, this year, more than 20 fifth-grade students took part in a voluntary Gifted and Talented Instructional Seminar where they worked collaboratively to research a decade from West Friendship’s history. Those projects were on display throughout the school and during a celebration the WFES PTA held on April 5.

Seminar students Brooke, Genevieve, Humayl and Mason spent time at lunch and recess meeting with G/T teacher Nathan Haskins to work on their projects. All four agreed this was a one-of-a-kind opportunity to participate in.

“I wanted to be part of celebrating this unique thing,” said Humayl. “I don’t think I ever thought of going to a school that turned 100.”

“Your school only turns 100 once,” said Brooke. “I just wanted to be a big part of it to help when it happened. I think this is a really unique opportunity. Not a lot of kids get to do this.”

A 5th grade student holds up “What’s Popular in the Minds of 5th Graders in 2025?,” which was an item added to the time capsule to be opened in 2050.

Humayl and Mason both researched the 1950s and were interested to learn that some of the toys that were popular then are still popular today such as Mr. Potato Head, hula hoops and Slinky.

Brooke and Genevieve researched the 1990s and were able to turn to their parents for first-hand information and were surprised to learn about events like the passing of Princess Diana, and movies and bands that came out of that decade.

One thing all four students made clear was how special WFES is to them.

“This school is really special to me,” said Mason. “Because [the school is] small, it means we get to know everybody. I have a relationship with almost everybody in the grade.”

Geneveive, who has been at West Friendship since second grade shared, “West Friendship is such an amazing school and we’re so lucky to be in it. I feel like I’ve been here my whole life. I have so many friends, the teachers are nice and everyone cares about each other. It’s amazing.”

Items from the 2000 time capsule, including a letter from then President Bill Clinton.

The teachers share this sentiment as well. Samantha Mathis was once a student at WFES and is now a third-grade teacher and team leader. “West Friendship feels like home to me. The community is so supportive and inviting. I can’t imagine being anywhere else,” Mathis said. “When I first started, my second- and fifth-grade teachers still worked here. It was such a unique experience working alongside people who inspired me to become a teacher.”

Second-grade team leader and teacher Cathy Peterman has been at WFES for 24 years. “The community and connections with staff and students are the most special to me. I have built wonderful relationships with staff, students and families,” said Peterman. “Living near the school, I frequently run into former students and families, and we reconnect by sharing updates about the school and our families. I also am fortunate to stay in touch with retired, long-time staff members from years past. Like the saying, ‘There’s no place like home,’ there’s no place like West Friendship!”

Photos from the celebration are available in this HCPSS Flickr album.