In 2005, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools built a new elementary school in Huntersville, Torrence Creek Elementary School. Now in its 20th year, the school held an event Oct. 10 to bring back alumni and former staff members to celebrate and reminisce with those who are maintaining the school’s traditions.

“We're often described as a very happy, joyful school, and you see that when kids are coming in; they're happy to come and want to be here,” said Torrence Creek Principal Diana Hosse. “We really pride ourselves on that. Community relationships are so important to us, and this event is just a way to celebrate who we are, our part in this community and how strong of a school we are.”

The school hosted a day of fun that included a special morning news segment where Torrence, the school’s mascot, helped blow out 20 candles on the celebration cake. There were trivia questions from 2005, and special guests – including Kevin Paige, the school’s founding principal – led a dance party parade. Students and staff wore special T-shirts for the occasion and lined the halls to cheer them on. Afterward, alumni and staff read books to students in their classrooms. 

“We also decided that it shouldn’t just be about us in this school; we wanted this 20th celebration to be about giving back,” Hosse said. “Every classroom has created a birthday bag, and it has all the essentials for a birthday party – cake mix, frosting, plates, streamers and balloons – and we’re donating those to children who may not be able to afford to have a birthday party. It’s like a birthday party in a bag.

“All the children have also made birthday cards, and we’re giving those out in the community to retirement homes and other places,” she said. “Community service is important, and we’re trying to instill that with our students.”

Torrence Creek is a K-5 school with more than 650 students. A Cambridge Program school, students focus on learner attributes such as confidence, responsibility, reflection, innovation and engagement. Hosse, in her second year as principal, said it is a special place where people want to stay, and they have nine staff members who have been there from the beginning.

“I've been an art teacher here since day one; I still teach here, and I’m very proud of that,” said teacher Natalie Friedl, who said she had tremendous support from her school community after suffering a recent loss. “I just wanted to say that Torrance Creek is more than a school to me, and it’s more than a community. It truly is a family, how we all support each other and love each other and help each other. It's just a really wonderful place to be, and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”