BROWNING � Prayers and a parade of flags marked the grand opening of the $22.5 million Browning High School on Monday.

"The grand opening was everything we could have asked for," said Assistant Principal Leonard Guardipee.

"We acknowledged all the people of the past, the people of the present, the board members and community members who were present," he said.

After the honor songs, the flag songs, the raising of the flags and the opening prayer, there was a parade of flags into the gymnasium for the remainder of the grand opening, said Guardipee.

The new gym is one of the school's richer resources. It can hold up to 3,500 fans, making it more than 50 percent bigger than the 2,000-seat gym in the old high school.

Seating had been provided for 800 people, and between 500 and 600 actually attended Monday's ceremony.

After the ceremony, public tours were provided.

"The comments have all been very positive about the learning environment that it will provide for the children of our community, as well as the public functions that we will be able to provide," Guardipee said.

The new school's "cafetorium" has room for lunches, assemblies and performances. Its ceiling panels feature painted buffalo.

"Hopefully, today's enthusiasm and pride will transfer to our students so that they learn well, and to our instructors so they can provide the quality instructions our children deserve," said Guardipee, a cousin of the school's principal, Janet Guardipee.

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