- December 8, 2025
Friends, family, teachers, police officers and Mayor Bill Partington (right white shirt) welcome the children back to school at Ormond Beach Elementary. Photo by Jacque Estes
Principal Tucker Harris rolled out the Red Carpet and greeted each child individually for the first day of school at Ormond Beach Elementary. Photo by Jacque Estes
Maci Lekan holds up her sign "1st Day of 1st Grade" while mom, Ashley Lekan takes a first day of school photo. Photo by Jacque Estes
Ormond Beach Principal Tucker Harris greets Frank Sterbenz, a grandfather of one of the students. Photo by Jacque Estes
Xavier Guerra carries a first day of school sign as he walks the red carpet at Ormond Beach elementary. Photo by Jacque Estes
Parent Kyle Gibbens and his daughter Tatum unroll the paper extension to the red carpet Gibbens dontated for the event. Photo by Jacque Estes
Kyle Gibben and maintenance worker Chris Sparr get the red carpet out before the students began to arrive. Photo by Jacque Estes
Principal Tucker Harris told the students they were celebrities before removing the gold velvet rope at the end of the red carpet. Photo by Jacque Estes
Kentrell Mackey, and 327 other students, get a personal welcome from Principal Trever Harris on the first day of school. Photo by Jacque Estes
School is back in session. Don't forget to stop for school buses (all directions) and watch for children. Photo by Jacque Estes
First came the puzzled looks, then the smiles as students at Ormond Beach Elementary realized their Principal Tucker Harris, and the staff at the school, had planned an extra special welcome back to school on Monday morning.
At 7:30 a.m. Harris unhooked the gold velvet rope in front of the school and the students walked the red carpet, from the street to the front door, to start their first day of school.
Kentrell Mackey was the first in line, appropriate for the first day at a new school. His sister, Cheyanne was a bit further back in line, but just as eager to start her school year.
“You are all celebrities,” Harris told the children. “That’s why we have the red carpet.”
Each child was awarded an “A” sticker in celebration of the school’s earned announced at the end of the school year. The sidewalk to the school was lined with community leaders including Ormond Beach Mayor Bill Partington, Ormond Beach police Cpl. Michael Garner and officer Marianne Durkin, friends, family, teachers and staff.
“It’s ok to cry,” Harris said to one mom wiping the tears away.
Older students tried to be “cool” and shrug off the attention but, when the hand bump, high-five and trademark “Boom” came from Harris as they stepped onto the red carpet, the smiles couldn’t be contained.
“This is exciting,” Partington said. “They are going to have a great year. I am so proud of all of their hard work and their “A” rating.”
