Yesterday we welcomed the students, teachers and parents of Lanier Elementary back to their newly renovated school. This morning, the Baton Rouge newspaper The Advocate ran an article (and these photos by Gavin Jackson) from the event. In it, I talked about why we were there.

“School Pride” host Jacob Soboroff said the makeover proved that communities can take matters into their own hands when it comes to making schools better.

“Inside, the school is a world of difference,” Soboroff said. “Before, there was mold and paint coming off the walls. There was little or no technology.”

An expanded and renovated playground and a mural, coupled with the renovated facilities, Soboroff said, mean that “the students can reach their full potential.”

Next stop for the NBC School Pride team, Nashville and Kingston Springs Elementary!