OKEECHOBEE — On Saturday, April 18, Okeechobee High School opened its doors to the community to allow former students and staff a chance to walk the halls one last time and bid farewell to the school that they remember.

OKEECHOBEE — Donna (left) and Cathy (right) are both OHS graduates, class of 1980.

OKEECHOBEE — Krista is a OHS Class of 2003 graduate.

OKEECHOBEE — Kaitlyn (left) is OHS Class of 2018 graduate.

Previous Next

Many people turned out to get one last peak at the place where they spent much of their adolescence, from more recent graduates to the graduating classes of the 90s, 80s, 70s, and 60s.

The current OHS opened in 1968. The brick building now used as the Freshman Campus was the original OHS, built in 1925.

The main office at Okeechobee High School.

OHS Cafeteria

OHS Gymnasium

Drawings of the halls of OHS made by OHS students.

Previous Next

Now, a new building for OHS is under construction and is expected to open its doors this fall for the 2026-2027 school year. With its opening the freshman will finally be able to join their upperclassmen on campus.

We reached out on the Lake Okeechobee News Facebook as well and asked the community to share some memories of their favorite “hang out” spots on campus.

Students at Okeechobee High School in the 90s.

Photo courtesy Bianca Karolina

Bianca Karolina stated that her favorite hangouts were, “Ms. Borel Drama class, track and field, and the bench in front of the lunchroom. Good times!!”

Students stand in front of the soda machine at OHS.

Photo courtesy Ashley Weber

Ashley Weber said, “By the soda machine and they eventually put a chickee hut in the middle of the building. Late Joshua A Thurman always held the spot for us.”

Magi Cable said the steps of D Building were her favorite hangout location.

OKEECHOBEE — Even School Superintendent Dylan Tedders submitted a photo of his time as a student at OHS.

Photo courtesy Dylan Tedders

Many more locations were listed among the responses such as the band room, the boiler room, the library and even the roof! Some said they liked to hang out in the woods across from the school. While the different crowds and cliques may have had different meeting places, the one thing they all share is fond memories of their time spent at Okeechobee High School.

The tour was one of several held to give the community a chance to say goodbye before the current OHS campus is torn down. The last tour will be held Tuesday, April 21, from 5 to 7 p.m.