West Wilson Middle welcomes students to new building after tornado destruction
West Wilson and Stoner Creek Elementary were destroyed by a tornado that struck in March 2020.
MOUNT JULIET, Tenn. (WSMV) - It’s a day of new beginnings for students at West Wilson Middle School.
Students return to their school in a new building for the first time since the school was destroyed by a tornado in March 2020.
West Wilson Middle was one of two Wilson County Schools that closed after the tornado in 2020. However, West Wilson rebuilt in the same spot and welcomed students back on Friday.
Teachers began moving into the building in May to get ready for the 2024-25 school year to begin.
Sixth grader Brock Maxwell said he’s excited for school to start.
“It’s my first day in middle school and I’m going to be the first one going all the way through West Wilson in the new building,” Brock said. “This, going into middle school, and with a new building just feels so amazing.”
The past four years have not been easy, specially for families like the Maxwells.
Meagan Maxwell, a teacher at West Wilson, reflected on the challenges her family faced, including their home being damaged in the storm and being displaced for months.
“I mean, it was chaos for at least three days. It was just absolute chaos of emotions, and what are we going to do,” Maxwell said.
Since March 2020, West Wilson Middle students were divided between Mount Juliet High School and Mount Juliet Middle School. Maxwell is relieved to finally have a permanent place to teach.
“It has been absolutely incredible. It’s been a day I’ve been waiting on for what feels like forever now,” Maxwell said. ‘It’s so nice being able to just kind of make that my home and know that that’s where I’m going to stay.”
Stoner Creek Elementary, which is located behind West Wilson Middle, was also destroyed by the tornado. Wilson County Schools rebuilt the elementary school first and students returned there
Copyright 2024 WSMV. All rights reserved.
