Columbia’s new Battle High is open and welcoming students today. Hundreds of teachers, students, and guests attended Sunday's dedication ceremony for the school. Battle High is Columbia’s third comprehensive high school, and it is dedicated to Muriel Williams Battle, a long-time educator who served the local community for more than 40 years.
Members of the Battle family spoke at the dedication. Muriel Williams’ husband, Eliot Battle, said he is impressed with the building, and is proud of having the name of Battle on this school.
“If we have had this kind of facility back when we were growing up and my children were growing up, we’d have accomplished even more I’m sure,” Battle said.
Battle High School Principal Kim Presko said she hopes the school’s namesake will inspire a good education for students but also guide them on how to give back to the community.
“Not only do we have to educate our students and helping them be successful academically, but we also have to install them how to give back to the community, like Muriel and the Battle family,” Presko said.
Today, the new high school begins its first day of summer school with a total of 465 students enrolled, and more than 1,000 students will fill the school by the time when Battle High is open for its first school year this fall.
