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Last week Central Middle School closed it's doors for good. (This is a long blog post, by the way.)

Population shrinkage and declining enrollment led to the decision.

Students and faculty are moving to the two other middle schools in the area.

However, Central is a unique building, a unique place.

So I spent a couple days wandering the halls hanging out and shooting features.

By the end of it, Principal Poole (below, he's a cool dude), joked saying I was basically a substitute member of the staff.

Most all of the kids knew who I was as I walked the walls, camera in hand, sometimes with Poole, sometimes with a group of students.

On another note, being homeschooled my whole life, it was an interesting experience for me.

Sitting in classrooms, hanging out by the lockers after the bell rang.

Waking up too early in the morning and going to school...

God, I'm glad I don't have to do that any more.

It was also interesting to hear some of the students talk about the closing.

Some took it harder than others.

Some have been through it before, when Midland closed a couple elementary schools a few years back.

And there were a handful who have spent much of their lives moving around anyway, so this was nothing new.

But they all had Central Pride.

And no, this photo was not posed.

It'll be weird to see the 8th graders at the high schools next year.

And, if I'm around long enough, photograph some of them playing varsity sports.

But, that's the cool part of community journalism. They'll know me, and I'll know them.

Some by name, some by "hey, you were that photographer!"But, it's the thought that counts. (Thanks to Nick and Neil for giving me time to work on this, and for the editing and design help. Y'all rock.)