By NEAL WAGNER / City Editor

As Thompson High School seniors entered the Meadow View Elementary School cafeteria on May 1, they quickly noticed the handprints they left on the walls nearly 12 years ago pale in comparison to the current size of their hands.

“I almost don’t recognize the kids. They’ve grown up so much,” said retired MVES Principal Dr. Jody Brewer. “But they seem to have a good head on their shoulders now.”

From 3:30-5 p.m., MVES opened its doors for a reception honoring its first kindergarten class from the 2000-2001 school year – students who are preparing to graduate from high school this May.

During the reception, the students enjoyed refreshments, viewed a slideshow displaying pictures from their MVES yearbooks and were able to thumb through photos of themselves from their kindergarten years. Local businesses also provided gifts for the students who attended the reception.

The idea to organize the reception came from current homeschool student Deanna Bailey, who was a member of the first MVES kindergarten class.

“I thought it would be a cool idea to get together and reminisce,” Bailey said as about 20 of her former classmates gathered in the cafeteria at about 3:45 p.m.

Bailey’s mother, Melody, the Shelby County Schools Child Nutrition Program accounting clerk, said this year will also mark the final year MVES is a part of the Shelby County School System.

“It’s kind of a beginning and an ending at the same time,” Melody Bailey said. “We’ve had a really good turnout her so far today.”