SHILOH — They came from far and wide to see the old school just one more time, and to relive the memories of their time as Eagles.

North Dorchester High School held its “Last Dance” on Friday, welcoming students, teachers, and alumni for tours and reunions before the building is demolished. The replacement school is very nearly complete, and is on schedule to open for classes in the fall.

It’s probably fair to say that taxpayers got their money’s worth from the old red brick building, which has been in use more than 60 years. But while there is real excitement around the county, especially in its northern reaches regarding the state-of-the-art building on the campus, the focus on Friday was on the past, not the future.

Lorraine Henry taught science at ND from 1969 to 1981, and from there went to Cambridge-South Dorchester and the Board of Education. “I reminisce because we had a lot of parent support,” she said.
Principal Lynn Sorrells was in the lobby greeting visitors.

“It’s cool to hear people say to their kids, ‘That was my class,’” she said. Ms. Sorrells recalled her own family connection to ND, saying her father, Tom Maguire, taught there in 1965 and 1966. Her aunt Mary Jackson was another Eagles’ teacher.

Keith Tillery, Class of 1989, was there with his son. He spoke about the value of good memories from his days at ND, and hoped that the school spirit would continue in the new building.