By Felix Hoover

For YourNewsColumbus

Bulldogs of many eras woofed it up Thursday night at the dedication of their recently renovated alma mater, South High School.

The ceremony brought together current students, alumni, faculty and staff members, building and district officials and community residents for an evening of reflection and inspection.

Schools Superintendent Gene Harris presented some of the school's history, noting that South was built in 1924, shortly after education became compulsory in Ohio.

Students played several roles in the dedication program; The Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps provided the color guard, senior Malivan Xaiyakosy led the Pledge of Allegiance, the jazz band performed four numbers and all of the aforementioned took part in the ribbon cutting.

Most of the people on stage seemed at home because they're accustomed to appearing in front of large crowds. But the South High stage really was home for two members of the Class of 1970, emcee Angela Pace, director of community affairs at WBNS-10TV, and Jeffery V. Thompson, a stage and screen actor, playwright and director.

"The beginning of my career was on this very stage, doing plays, writing sketches and having an absolutely wonderful time," Thompson said.

He asserted pride in the education he received at South and reflected fondly on the extracurricular activities for athletes, musicians and thespians.

"When the bell rang at the end of the day, most of us returned here because this was our playground," Thompson said.

Dawn McGrapth gets views of South's recent past, present and near future from three of her sons, Gerald Byrd, who played football before he graduated; Justin Byrd, who plays keyboards in the jazz band; and Elijah Anderson, 10, who attends Cedarwood Elementary School.

Elijah said he especially enjoyed the jazz band's rendition of I'll Be There. and chuckled when someone punned that he'll be there at South some day.

Anthony Wiley, nephew of South High Principal Johnetta D. Wiley, used to come north from Mississippi when he was "a little kid." He ended his high school career at South, graduating in June as class president.

The most impressive changes in the $32.1-million makeover, he said, are the auditorium, the gymnasium and the cafeteria, said Anthony Wiley, who's studying at Central State University in manufacturing engineering.

James Howell, Class of 1980, said that upgrades in the library and media center, as well as addition of wi-fi throughout the building give the school a 21st-century readiness.

He said he has extensive experience in facilities management and appreciates what the board, administrators and the renovation team have done with the building.

"What they did to this school will be here another 100, 200 years," he said. "When we're long gone this school will still be here. As stakeholders, that's what we're looking for."

The turnout, which nearly filled the auditorium, impressed alumnus Jeffrey Sheppard. The cushioned seats and improved lighting make the auditorium "the crown jewel of the building," he said.

Tom Niklas, who attend the old Aquinas High School, said he drove by the school every day during its renovation and became impressed with improvements to grounds of South, at 1160 Ann St.

"At first I thought it was going to be a clean up, fix up job," he said. "When they started there was a lot of skepticism, and I was one of the skeptics. I'm pleased to see they've done a great job."