Former and current students, faculty and staff gathered at Sierra Vista Junior High to celebrate 50 years of academic history in the Santa Clarita Valley Wednesday night.

The night featured performances by students, an auditorium filled with relics from the last 50 years and recognition from not only political and city figures but the first ever principal of the school.

“This is my home,” said David Baker, the first principal of Sierra Vista Junior High. “This is a very special place. I was blessed with a tremendous faculty and a lot of parent support during the construction of this school.”

The event seemed more like a reunion than a 50 year anniversary by allowing former staff and students to reconnect and share fond memories of their time at the school.

In addition to reminiscing, the ceremony gave administrators the chance to thank everyone for their hard work in keeping the school running as strongly as it has been.

“Well you know as I walked into the campus I had a rush of memories,” said Laurence Strauss, who served as the school’s principal from 1973 to 1983. “We were like a family, the staff and the students, and the parent community it was like one big family. I loved my time here.”

The class of 2016 also donated a new sign to the school which will replace the original sign donated by the class of 1978 on the corner of Whites Canyon and Stillmore Street.

Dave Baker, the schools first principal, gives a speech during the 50th Anniversary Ceremony.

The school’s auditorium was full of history from the past 50 years.

The school’s auditorium was full of history from the past 50 years.

The school’s auditorium was full of history from the past 50 years.