Shedding memories: spirit shed torn down

The memorable spirit shed that has been around for more than 30 years was torn down Feb. 21 as part of the expansion of Stringfellow Road.

Words. Names. Celebrations. Memories.

Gone.

Chantilly’s beloved spirit shed was removed early on Feb. 21 without the knowledge of students and most faculty members.

Students who were emotionally attached to the shed were able to go to the site and collect pieces of the rubble that remained after demolition.

The shed was demolished for the widening of Stringfellow Road.

“The reason the shed is gone is because they are widening the road and that property is going to be pulled into the widening process,” Principal Jim Kacur said.

Kacur was as surprised as students and faculty members to discover the news.

“I went to get coffee at Starbucks, and I was driving back, and I saw the pile of bricks,” Kacur said. “I was surprised as everybody else.”

As bricks were torn down from the shed, Assistant Principal Tim O’Reilly reminisced about the shed’s initial construction in 1968.

“My dad worked for AT&T, and this was one of the locations he was responsible for,” O’Reilly said. “After school every now and then I let him know what’s on it.”

The many layers paint that have formed on the shed over the years can be seen in this piece that was cut off of it. The shed was a major part of the Chantilly community not only the school itself.

For O’Reilly and faculty members, the shed has served as a token of tradition unique to only Chantilly. Students and community members have watched the shed evolve into a source of expression for sports teams, clubs and organizations.

“Some people used it in memory of people who passed away, and it’s really special for them,” senior Will Bashaw said. “Now, I guess we need to start painting another thing.”

“Everyone has a memory of something that meant something to them being put up there if it was their sports team doing well or their friend who passed away or an important landmark occasion that happened in their lives. I think that any kid that went to Chantilly High School or any teacher really has a personal connection because it was a sentimental object that was always decorated in that way.”
-English teacher Jessica McCarthy

“It’s like a part of the community, it’s been around a long time. Its sort of part of the culture, and there was no warning and that’s what was hard. But it was just so unexpected and something that was a part of the community for years and something that the kids were used to. You know something happens and let’s paint the shed and it’s neat thing that pulls everyone together it’s a nice place for expression.”
-Counselor Deborah Wolen

*

Photos by Kevin Nguyen

shed Extra, Issue 6, Main, News, Print