Charles Crane/MDN MPS Superintendent Scott Faul, center, cuts the ribbon at Minot North High School on Wednesday. At left are Kaitlyn Weidert, Northwest Regional representative for Sen. Kevin Cramer; Sen. John Hoeven and Minot Area Chamber EDC President Brekka Kramer. From right are Col. George Chapman, deputy commander of the 91st Missile Wing; Col. Rofelio Grinston of the 5th Bomb Wing; Minot North Principal Harlan Johnson; Minot Mayor Tom Ross and former MPS Superintendent Mark Vollmer.

The ribbon was cut on Minot’s second high school before students, administrators, staff, state dignitaries and military representatives during a ceremony Wednesday afternoon.

Col. George Chapman, deputy commander of the 91st Missile Wing at the Minot Air Force Base, thanked the Minot community on behalf of military members and their families, saying Minot North represents what the people of Minot are willing to do for the youth.

“Just like the fields and farmers, when you have good soil and good land and you cultivate it, good things grow. This school is that for our youth. It’s a special school because 100 percent of the high schoolers up on base are zoned to this school,” Chapman said. “As a military parent, as a father, we have a kid who is attending school here. These are the kiddos of our leaders and our airmen. The challenges that our youth face are just different, but I have no concerns because I know Minot, as a community, they stand here with arms wide open.”

Minot North Principal Harlan Johnson said the day was long anticipated, saying the start of classes at Minot North in August has been “the best start to a school year I’ve ever had as a principal.”

“The enthusiasm in the hallways, the positive energy from our students and staff. There’s something special about this place. It’s clear Minot North has already begun making a lasting impression,” Johnson said. “They love this building, the design, the functionality. It truly feels like space built to inspire learning and foster community.”

State Rep. Scott Louser, a current MPS Board member, recalled the beginning, when the school district acquired the building and land from Cognizant, which formerly operated a call center. Louser said Cognizant approached him five years ago about the possible fate for the building, and after six months to eight months of consideration, it became apparent that the plan to donate it to the district through a $10 sale “made the best sense.”

“I made a phone call to Dr. (Mark) Vollmer and we had lunch. I think at the time he thought this had to do with one of my kids in school, and his reaction to what was a potential possibility was something I’ll never forget. He got a little emotional and I didn’t know this was a shared vision that he and I had until that lunch,” Louser said. “I thought it was 91 meetings that he did individually in the community, but it was over a hundred. That was Dr. Vollmer’s charge.”

For his part, Vollmer made a point to thank Cognizant for its generosity and everything that the gift made possible for the district, its students and the community.

“When we started this discussion, we said it was about our kids. This is not about our past. This is about our future. This is our future,” Vollmer said. “This is a unique building. It was staffed by nearly 1,200 employees. They came to the table, and they wanted to do something for our community. They could have sold this property. They could have leveled this property and subdivided it into lots. But instead, working with Mr. Louser, they agreed to give this property to the citizens of Minot, the students of Minot for their education in making a second high school. That is something to celebrate.”

Minot Mayor Tom Ross said the new school is already producing dividends for the students and community and would do so for decades to come.

“It’s about the opportunity. Not just in extracurriculars, but it’s the opportunity for the students in this area to excel and become tomorrow’s leaders, and become tomorrow’s mayor. I’m extremely proud,” Ross said. “My dad was on the construction team that built Magic City Campus. Fast forward 51 years, and here his son is helping cut the ribbon on the next generation and the future of Minot Public Schools. Together we can. Together as a community, together we did.”