22-02-2025
Clymore Elementary celebrates 30-year anniversary with original staff and a time capsule
FORT DEFIANCE — It was Oct. 8, 1995 when Augusta County officially dedicated Clymore Elementary School. The building had opened to students earlier that year, one of two new elementary schools in the county.
A group of fifth-graders that year sang "Together We Learn," a school anthem written by music teacher Curtis Nolley. Last week, while celebrating the school's 30th anniversary, Nolley returned to speak to the students. Then he led them in singing the school song once again.
"It's always an exciting opportunity to see a new facility and the kids are so excited about coming into a facility that is brand new," Nolley said about being part of opening Clymore.
Nolley taught in Augusta County for 26 years before moving to Rockingham and Harrisonburg schools and then finishing his educational career at Bridgewater College.
"My time here — and I loved every assignment I had — but these were really golden years," Nolley said. "The faculty was so strong at Clymore ... it was just such a great time."
For the 30th anniversary the school also brought back several other original members of the faculty, including principal Troy Rexrode, bookkeeper Becky Ruckman, librarian Linda Cook and custodians Dewey McNeal and Randy Harris.
Family members of the late Edward Clymore also attended the celebration to honor a building named for the former superintendent of Augusta County Public Schools.
"He was very pleased and very proud of this school," said his wife, Becky Clymore.
In October 2022, the school held a spirit day and invited Edward Clymore to visit. He spent the day talking with students and staff, and there was even a parade in his honor.
"They had a celebration day for my dad and it meant more to him than you can imagine," his daughter, Dianne Moody told the News Leader following the death of her father.
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There's a photograph of Clymore that still sits in the office.
In addition to speakers, the school also put some items in a trunk as a time capsule. It will be opened in 30 years so those celebrating 60 years of the school can see what students in 2025 thought was important. Among the items placed in the time capsule were some Clymore spirit wear shirts, a signed poster, several squishmallows, a Stanley cup and a Bluey figurine.
Rexrode came to Clymore from nearby Verona Elementary. He remembers hearing about the opening of Clymore, and even though he was very happy at Verona, the new school intrigued him.
"I thought what a challenge that would be to start from scratch," Rexrode said. "People that don't know each other, to blend it all together, the team building. That's why I applied the job."
He said now, 30 years later, he is proud of the school that he helped start.
"It is wonderful," he said. "Obviously the tradition has carried on. It's a beautiful school, a wonderful community, and obviously the faculty and staff is still as high quality as it was 30 years ago."
— Patrick Hite is a reporter at The News Leader. Story ideas and tips always welcome. Connect with Patrick (he/him/his) at phite@ and on Instagram @hitepatrick. Subscribe to us at
This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Clymore Elementary holds 30-year anniversary celebration
