Colin Powell visits LEISD for dedication of campus
By LAURA CHILDRESS

Two years after Colin Powell Intermediate opened, the campus celebrated a dedication ceremony Tuesday with a very special guest: its namesake, General Colin Powell.

"I've been trying to get here for two years," General Colin Powell said.

Powell, the former Secretary of State, whose accomplishments include having served as National Security Advisory and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, receiving the Bronze Star, Purple Heart and Presidential Medal of Freedom and founding the youth organization 'America's Promise,' said the greatest honor he could receive, however, was having a school named after him.

"Nothing gives me greater honor than to have a school named after you," he said.

Powell noted that the Little Elm campus was the seventh to be named after him.

The son of Jamaican immigrants, Powell said he was a C student in school. His parents, however, never gave up on him and made sure he never quit.

"The only way I got ahead in life was because I was willing to work hard," he said.

Powell encouraged students to take full advantage of their education.

"You're starting a journey," he said. "Make sure you get all the tools you need. Whatever your going to do, this is the time when you acquire the tools to be successful in life.” With his signature by one of his quotes at the building's entrance, Powell added that he has officially endorsed the campus.

"Make me proud," he said. "Make sure you believe and achieve.” LEISD Superintendent Steve Murray noted that Powell's visit was one of the biggest things to happen in district history.

"This is one of the most significant events in school -- and community -- history, a visit by a great American," he said.

Principal Dee Owen added, "I'd especially like to thank Colin Powell for his time and the opportunity for our students to meet a true American hero. I know this is an occasion we will never forget.” Murray explained that the district had delayed the dedication ceremony until Powell could be there.

"We purposefully waited to rededicate this campus until a visit by the general," he said.

Murray said that Powell's visit had been kept fairly quiet at his request so that the emphasis of the dedication was on the students, not him.

Built in 1987, the campus originally served as the district's middle school, comprised of sixth- through eighth-grade students. The sixth-grade class moved to the district's first intermediate campus, Brent, in 2000. In the fall of 2004, with the opening of the new high school on Walker Lane, the middle school moved into the former high school building. The former middle school building remained empty for one year as it was remodeled and prepared for reopening as Colin Powell Intermediate.

Murray noted that the school board officially voted to rename the campus Colin Powell Intermediate in January 2005 upon the recommendation of board member Dorlis Glass.

"In LEISD and at Colin Powell Intermediate, we're proud to have this school named for such a great American patriot and hero," Murray said.