The entire Fair Oaks Ranch Community School student body gathered for a celebration Friday in honor of the school’s tenth anniversary.

Founding Principal Sandra Smith attended the event to learn about the school’s accomplishments since her retirement in 2004.

“Fair Oaks Ranch stands today where I think it should be,” Smith said. “They’re keeping current with the latest technology. They’re accommodating the growth in the student population. They’re making sure every student’s needs are being met.”

During Friday’s assembly, students sang “Happy Birthday” to Falco the Falcon, the school’s mascot, which jumped out of a three-tier cardboard cake made by PTA member Diana Buena-Ventura and her daughter, fourth-grade student council representative Isabella, who played the role of Falco.

“I think this will make us a stronger community,” said Principal Marie Stump, a founding second-grade teacher at Fair Oaks. Stump became principal in 2007.

“I think our students now have a better understanding of our expectations and better insight into their bright futures.”

“Some of our past alumni have gone on to play professional baseball, become professional singers, and have gone on to distinguished colleges,” teacher Ken Newton said.

Through Facebook and other social media outlets, teachers have kept in touch with former students, several of whom attended Friday’s celebration to offer words of encouragement to today’s Fair Oaks Falcons.