Families, former students, staff and neighbors packed the halls of Bountiful Elementary for a special farewell celebration as the school prepares to close the doors to the old building after more than 70 years of service. The building, a fixture in the community since 1950, will be replaced by a new facility opening this fall just behind the current one.
Throughout the evening, visitors explored displays of old photos positioned in multiple locations around the building. A hallway was transformed into a gallery of framed images, thoughtfully arranged to reflect the school’s legacy. Students performed the original school song on stage — a piece taught to them by its original creator. Outside, a large balloon arch marked the building’s 1950 origin, while inside, a slideshow kept the atmosphere lively and welcoming.
One especially touching moment came when Ellie Garlock, a current Davis School District teacher and former Bountiful Elementary student, found the tile she had made years ago in Mrs. Adams’ art class. The tile depicted her dream of becoming a teacher — a dream she’s now living.
“I made my tile about how I wanted to be a teacher," Garlock said. She then pointed to her tile plastered to the wall with other previous students.
Community members lined up to sign their names on walls inside the school. A student-created time capsule was on display, soon to be buried near the new school. Bricks from the original building will be cleaned and sold, allowing community members to take home a piece of the building.
It was wall-to-wall people — a powerful reflection of how much this school has meant to the Bountiful community. Students young and old came to bid farewell to a place that helped shape their beginnings and will forever be remembered as “beautiful Bountiful.”
The evening was coordinated by administration, with help from all teachers, staff and Principal Pickett’s mother, who also attended Bountiful Elementary.