Opstad Elementary School students honor life of namesake

Published 12:58 pm Thursday, October 2, 2008

NORTH BEND – During the cold winters of yesteryear, Edwin R. Opstad would awake at 3 a.m. on snowy mornings to test drive the local roads in his own vehicle. Opstad figured that if he could make it, so could the school busses.

“Often the [school district] would be the only district in King County, except Seattle, that was running,” joked Edwin A. Opstad, the son of the district’s first superintendent.

That spirit to strive forward in the name of education appeared to transcend the boundaries of time last week when the students attending Opstad Elementary School gathered to celebrate the 100th birthday of their school’s late namesake.

With original songs and a spirited slide show, students honored the life of Opstad, who is credited with creating the Snoqualmie Valley School District and setting a high standard for today’s educators.

“Even superintendents have heroes … Edwin Opstad was that kind of man,” said Superintendent Rich McCullough.

For the complete story, pick up a copy of this week’s Valley Record