"Topping off" ceremony held at new school

On Monday, more than 500 students and staff from Holton’s Colorado and Central elementary schools and other invited guests left their mark on the new Holton Elementary School by putting their signatures on the final steel beam to be put into place in the new school building.

Jon Pahl, executive vice president of operations for Nabholz Construction, which is building the new school, and other Nabholz representatives were on hand for the “topping off” ceremony on Monday afternoon, and he was pleased to note the students’ enthusiasm for the new school, which is slated to be ready for the 2016-17 school year.

“Who’s excited for a new school?” Pahl asked the congregation of Colorado and Central students gathered for the ceremonial placement of the final beam on the new building. Students responded with cheers, as did their teachers and others present for the ceremony.

After students, teachers and other guests signed their names to the white steel beam with multi-colored permanent markers, Holton Superintendent Dennis Stones explained to those present what a “topping off” ceremony is. A rite of many construction projects, Stones said, the ceremony is often held when the last beam, or its equivalent, is placed atop a structure during construction.

However, that doesn’t mean the new school is anywhere near completion, he said.

“Putting the last beam on doesn’t mean the building’s finished,” Stones told students. “It just means that the structure is becoming complete.”

Following short speeches by Stones and Pahl, a crew from Doherty Steel of Paola attached the signed beam to a crane and lifted it into place, while construction workers atop the structure prepared to fasten the beam to the building. Students chanted “Raise that beam! Raise that beam!” as it was being lifted and erupted in cheers again when that was done.

Next, a small U.S. flag and a cedar tree were mounted on top of the beam. Stones said that as part of the tradition of the “topping off” ceremony, the placement of the cedar tree was traced to an ancient tradition of appeasing the “tree gods” who were angered by the removal of trees for the construction of a new building. He added that a new cedar tree would be planted somewhere on the school grounds when construction is complete.

Stones also told students that they would not actually be able to see the beam they signed after the new school is ready for occupation. However, it will be the first beam they pass under each day they go to school via its main entrance, he added.

“It will always be sitting right there, and hopefully it’ll be there for the next 60 to 100 years,” Stones told students. “You’re part of a time capsule. You’re name’s on this beam, and it will always be there with your name on it.”

Those present for the raising of the beam expressed their elation at the progress that has been made on the new school building, including former Holton Superintendent Nancy Meyer, whose work during her time as superintendent here played a major role in getting the new school built.

“It’s looking so good,” said Meyer, who is currently serving as interim superintendent at Riley County USD 378. “I’m so excited at the progress that’s being made.”

Noe Turrubiartes of Nabholz Construction concurred, saying that construction of the new building is “right on schedule.”

None, however, were apparently happier to see the last beam go up than the students.

“If you’ve been at Colorado School, you’ve been able to watch things as they come out of the ground and start up,” Stones said.