Grand Canyon National Park turns 100

Katie Hobbs, newly elected Arizona Secretary of State, came and unveiled a new plaque to commemorate the 100 years of federal protections for the canyon. Hobbs felt while the Grand Canyon is protected by the federal government, the state’s actions to protect it during the shutdown showed Arizona’s dedication.

“Today there were so many messages about the Grand Canyon and how it’s an inspiration that the canyon is to get outdoors and be active but also that commitment to stewardship to ensure it's around for generations to come,” Hobbs said to the Arizona Daily Sun.

More than 100 students in the Sechrist Elementary School Choir and Knoles Choir came to voice songs like ‘Home on the Range’ and ‘America the Beautiful’ for the park’s celebrations.

Camden Keeler, choir singer in the fifth grade at Sechrist Elementary, said they were excited to get out of school and spend time singing at the Grand Canyon. Keeler and his friends couldn't wait to sing "Happy Birthday" to the canyon on its 100th birthday, which they did in front of a packed theater.

“I feel really cool because not a lot of people get this chance or opportunity,” Keeler said.

The choir, made up of students from both Sechrist and Marshall Elementary, contained students from third, fourth and fifth grade. Joe Rauschenbach, a teacher at Knoles Elementary School and and head of the Knoles Choir, said they have been working for over a month to prepare for their performance in the Visitor Center’s theatre.

“I thought it went miraculously,” Rauschenbach said. “We are so blessed to be at our national park. And we call it our national park. The grandest of all -- the Grand Canyon.”

Outside the theatre, the visitor center was buzzing with tourists as people looked through booths, signed cards and learned about the Grand Canyon’s history. Richard Powskey, member of the Hualapai Tribe, spent his time at a table in the Visitor Center to speak and share stories about his tribe.

Powskey talked about the Hualapai’s original homeland that extended from Las Vegas to Prescott and over to Tuba City. He explained that they have sacred sites and elements specific to the Grand Canyon.

“The park accommodates us and gives us a place to stay and talk about our craft, sell some of our items if we want it,” Powskey said. “I think for us to just to explain who we are as Hualapai and our history is important.”

Abbie Smith, Anne Kenison and Scott Nichols came up from Mesa, Gilbert and other parts of the Valley to celebrate the canyon’s birthday. The three of them had a goal to complete 100 things at the Grand Canyon throughout 2019 for the centennial.

They were snowed in during their stay at Phantom Ranch days before, had become junior rangers at the North Rim and have plans to see a California Condor in the canyon. Their most recent accomplishment: attend the centennial celebration.

“We made the list of the 100 things we wanted to do,” Kenison said. “It's been really fun we’ve been looking forward to this day the whole time. Today we just reached 85. Happy birthday, Grand Canyon!”