The Blue & White

by Callie DeLano

Many faculty members still stroll the hallways of Methuen High School reminiscing about the classrooms without walls, but it’s already been ten years since the massive renovations.

Students have always adored the building’s remodel. However, it’s important to highlight the continued growth of the school that head principal, Mr.Barden, hopes to achieve every year.

Sitting down with Mr. Barden, he emphasized the need for student-led initiatives for change. MHS students are fortunate to have a head principal who makes listening to student voices a priority.

One example of a major change that came to MHS after the remodel was the addition of our cafeteria’s patio, where many students enjoy lunch in the fresh air. This addition was a student-lead project began by a former Eagle Scout and students are happy to eat in the sunlight.

Mr. Barden has always prioritized making our school feel inviting. Hallways are lined with Ranger blue colors and bright TV’s advertising upcoming school events. Barden wanted the school to feel more like student body energy and pushed for the environment to also “bleed blue” like MHS students do.

Main hallways include ‘Ranger Blue’ paint, alongside new paint jobs that include the beautiful murals created by students. Just last year, the BIPOC Club partnered with Elevated Thought and AnnaDidAThing to create the unity mural placed above the North House hallway. Students are reminded by electric colors and depictions of collaboration to continue to make MHS a welcoming environment for all people.

For our talented athletics, Barden pointed out the work of the Methuen Boosters Team. With the help of their fundraising efforts, MHS has been able to provide sports teams with new equipment in the Larry Klimas Field House, such as batting cages, basketball hoops, and a new indoor track. There have also been two new school issued vans which help transport athletes and club members to games, conferences, and meetings.

MHS continued its renovations within the academic portion of the school as well. The MILL was introduced to MHS in 2013 and has become a huge part of the science department and MHS Robotics Team. The MILL includes 3D printers and robotics equipment, which allow students to engineer different items for a hands-on learning approach in the STEM field.

In 2022, the English Department introduced its first student-led Writing Teaching Assistant Program. Starting this school year, students excelling in and passionate about writing could become a TA and help students in English classes with their works. This peer education program allows students to improve their own writing skills by working with other students.

Though not as visible as other updates, MHS students utilize the school’s new expanded parking lot daily. When construction started in 2018, the parking lot could only accommodate for half the cars it can today. Now, all MHS students can use the student lot for parking with a parking pass.

Alongside the parking lot is the new MHS digital sign, which is set in front of the main entryway. This sign scrolls through announcements about any upcoming events for MHS, and was pushed by Bill Bryant with the Boosters. Students can see what’s going on at MHS from the cafeteria and parking lot any time now.

To build a greener (and brighter) path of education, the school has installed new energy efficient light bulbs in the front entryway. These light bulbs produce more light and are safer for the environment. Mr.Barden plans to have these installed within all hallways and hopefully classrooms.

Students may have also noticed the new water bottle filling stations along the hallways. These water fountains promote the use of reusable water bottles instead of single-use plastics to make sure the school is staying green.

As an administrator prioritizing student leadership, Mr. Barden has pushed for creating positive change within our diverse community. If students have ideas of change for the school: start the conversation! Many projects are funded through grants so the school can afford to keep up with the future.