Dawson County Middle School will welcome its first students Monday. But the halls were alive with laughter and celebration Sunday for the new school’s dedication.

Longtime educator Herbert Robinson, for whom Robinson Elementary School is named, led the ceremony in the new school’s auditorium.

“You cannot imagine what an honor and distinct pleasure it is for me to be with people of Dawson County,” Robinson said.

Quoting Thomas Jefferson, Robinson reminded attendees, “Any nation that seeks to be ignorant and free is wishing for something that never was and never will be.”

Paying tribute to Dawson County’s desire to provide quality education to all students, Robinson acknowledged the school system, school officials and said he knows no finer educators.

“We can pledge our support to the school officials and teachers in Dawson County. We can encourage their efforts on every occasion. We even can pledge to serve through sacrifice if necessary, so we will dedicate this building to the furtherance, the education of the students in Dawson County for the betterment of Dawson County,” Robinson said.

Students, teachers and administrators, both past and present, gathered Sunday to take part in the celebration that also included a dedication of the library in honor of longtime educator “Miss Plennie” Robinson, who died last month and was not related to Herbert Robinson.

Wearing a “Thank God for Teachers” lapel pin, local historian Charles Finley began the dedication of the library at the new middle school with “I thank God for Plennie Robinson.”

Plennie Robinson, the library’s namesake, taught school in Dawson County for more than 60 years and is revered as one of the county’s most beloved educators.

Finley, who is currently writing a book about Dawson County schools, described Plennie Robinson as one of his closest friends. 

“I regret that I didn’t get that book published where she could see it. She was very supportive,” Finley added in tears.

Prior to opening the school for student-led tours, the school system presented Plennie Robinson’s family with a plaque that will hang at the entrance of the library in honor of “Miss Plennie’s” love for reading and her ability to tell a story.

“We are truly appreciative of the honor that y’all are giving to her here today, and we are so proud of her accomplishments of her life time,” her niece Stacey Gravitt said. “We are so happy she knew about this.”

E-mail Michele Hester at michele@dawsonnews.com.