Posted on December 6, 2024
In a ceremony filled with energy and excitement, Wayside Middle School unveiled its new logo to students, staff and community members on Friday. The event, held in the school gym, celebrated the transition to a new chapter for Wayside as the school prepares to open its new campus in January 2026.
The ceremony began with cheerleaders enthusiastically welcoming guests, including members of the district administration and the EMS ISD Board of Trustees, followed by members of the school choir performing the national anthem. Current seventh graders filled the gym, where Principal Dr. Khayla Sewell-Bernard shared insights into the collaborative process that led to the creation of the new logo. She introduced EMS ISD Superintendent Dr. Jim F. Chadwell, who spoke about Wayside’s rich history and its importance in the community.
“This is not just a school; this is part of the fabric of the community,” Chadwell said. “Wayside’s name dates back to the 1880s, making it one of the oldest names in our district. One of the first schools in this area was called Wayside. This is not just a school, this is part of the fabric of the community, and you are a part of that. I’m very excited about this logo that represents a fresh start and honors our legacy.”
The unveiling's crescendo came with a performance by the Wayside Step Team. As their routine ended, the performers revealed t-shirts featuring the new logo, while cheerleaders raised signs displaying the design and blue and white balloons rained down from the gym ceiling to the excitement of students.
A Collaborative Journey to a Symbol of Pride
The process for developing a new logo began last spring with student and staff focus groups, who provided input on the qualities that make Wayside unique. The process 
was guided by a desire to create an original design that reflects the school’s pride and legacy. After refining ideas with the focus groups, the final design was approved this fall by the EMS ISD Board of Trustees.
Wayside's pervious logo was a version of the logo from Kansas State University, and EMS ISD paid KSU each year for ther right to use the design. This logo change means EMS ISD will no longer have to make those licensing payments, and Wayside now has their own, original design.
“I made history because I helped make that logo for Wayside Middle School that will live on for generations,” Alexic Woahloe, an eighth-grade student who served on the student focused group, said. “I feel really good about it, and it’s great to know we have so much Wayside pride in our school.”
Dr. Sewell-Bernard echoed the sentiments of the day, emphasizing the importance of the logo as a unifying symbol for the school community.
“Today marks an exciting new chapter in our school’s story,” she said. “This logo will represent our spirit, our legacy and our future for many years to come.”
The event concluded with the Wayside band playing the school song and a group photo including everyone in attendance to commemorate the milestone, capturing the enthusiasm of the Wayside community for this new chapter in Wayside’s storied history.
