On October 28, 2026, Dent Middle School marked a century of educational excellence with a Rededication Ceremony and the official ribbon cutting for its new creative and fine arts building.
Dent 100 Years_R2 School Board Member Gary Dennis, Board Chair Niki Porter, Board Secretary Shelley Williams
As the oldest school in Richland School District Two, Dent has evolved from a five-classroom rural schoolhouse into a cornerstone of the Dentsville community. For ten decades, Dent has served as home to a variety of grade configurations as a school for first through 12th grade, as a high school, and as a junior high school.
“Being entrusted with a school with such a remarkable legacy is an honor,” said Principal Tamala Ashford. “While the world has changed tremendously, our commitment to providing a quality education remains constant. We stand on the shoulders of those who came before us to create new opportunities for generations to come.”
Designed by Craig Gaulden Davis PBK Architecture and built by Hood Construction, the state-of-the-art facility represents the district’s dedication to arts education. Delivering the Centennial Address for Superintendent Dr. Kim Moore, Senior Chief Operations Officer Mark Huhtanen described the building as a physical manifestation of Richland Two’s belief in educating the whole child. He emphasized that the space would teach empathy and resilience, providing a vibrant home for students to discover hidden talents and experience the quiet pride of finishing a masterpiece.
Aligned with Richland Two’s centennial theme of Learning, Leadership and Legacy, the event served as a renewed commitment to preparing future Blue Diamonds to lead, innovate, and succeed.