8/19/17 Van ISD School Dedication by Chelsea Purgahn
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Board president Scott Thomas speaks during a grand opening ceremony for J.E. Rhodes Elementary in Van, Texas, on Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017. The elementary school was rebuilt after it was demolished in May 2015 due to a tornado. (Chelsea Purgahn/Tyler Morning Telegraph)
Van High School junior Jane Palma, far right, plays clarinet with the band during a grand opening ceremony for J.E. Rhodes Elementary School in Van, Texas, on Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017. The elementary school was rebuilt after it was demolished in May 2015 due to a tornado. (Chelsea Purgahn/Tyler Morning Telegraph)
Van Superintendent Don Dunn speaks during a grand opening ceremony for J.E. Rhodes Elementary School in Van, Texas, on Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017. The elementary school was rebuilt after it was demolished in May 2015 due to a tornado. (Chelsea Purgahn/Tyler Morning Telegraph)
Two men hold a framed Texas flag that once flew over the state Capitol that was donated by a state elected official to Van ISD during a grand opening ceremony for J.E. Rhodes Elementary School in Van, Texas, on Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017. The elementary school was rebuilt after it was demolished in May 2015 due to a tornado. (Chelsea Purgahn/Tyler Morning Telegraph)
The daughter of Robert Rhodes speaks on his behalf during a grand opening ceremony for J.E. Rhodes Elementary School in Van, Texas, on Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017. The elementary school was rebuilt after it was demolished in May 2015 due to a tornado. (Chelsea Purgahn/Tyler Morning Telegraph)
Relatives of J.E. Rhodes hold up a quilt made in the 1930's that will be displayed in J.E. Rhodes Elementary School during a grand opening ceremony for the school in Van, Texas, on Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017. The elementary school was rebuilt after it was demolished in May 2015 due to a tornado. (Chelsea Purgahn/Tyler Morning Telegraph)
Van Superintendent Don Dunn cuts the ribbon during a grand opening ceremony for J.E. Rhodes Elementary School in Van, Texas, on Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017. The elementary school was rebuilt after it was demolished in May 2015 due to a tornado. (Chelsea Purgahn/Tyler Morning Telegraph)
Laura Stephenson smiles as she walks into the new school library with her daughter Everli Wells, who will be in kindergarten this year, during a grand opening ceremony for J.E. Rhodes Elementary School in Van, Texas, on Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017. The elementary school was rebuilt after it was demolished in May 2015 due to a tornado. (Chelsea Purgahn/Tyler Morning Telegraph)
John Wilson holds Austin Wilson, 2, on his shoulders as they check out the new school during a grand opening ceremony for J.E. Rhodes Elementary in Van, Texas, on Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017. The elementary school was rebuilt after it was demolished in May 2015 due to a tornado. (Chelsea Purgahn/Tyler Morning Telegraph)