Members of the Akron Legion Post 186, as well as A-W students line the sidewalk and welcome students back for the first day.
Cashe McNew was all ready for the first day of the new school year at Akron-Westfield on Friday, Aug. 22.
Justin Rhein makes sure to snap a quick photo of his daughter, Lucy Larson, before the start of the new school year.
Gloria Hansen was all smiles as she stepped off the school bus on Friday morning.
Haylee Jacobs channels her inner Taylor Swift, and lets everyone know she is in “her third grade era” with a customized t-shirt.
Serenity Taggart and her mom and A-W elementary paraprofessional, Jabsun Taggart, all all set to take on the new school year together.
American Legion Post 186 member Keith Swanson hugs his granddaughters, Amelia Brown and Katie Brown.
Kassidy Koopman, Sky Taylor, and Paisley Wignes were excited for the start of the new school year.
Kindergartners, Landon Hecht, Brooks Sievert, and Malachi Steen, were excited to start their Westerner journey on Friday, Aug. 22.
Layla Rozell, Luke Hughes, Will Rozell, Max Rozell, Jack Hughes, and Kenli Rozell, gather for a group photo before heading in to start the 2025-2026 school year.
Adam and Rachelle, and MJ Loutsch, walk Alex into the school for his first day. MJ will start preschool next week.
Ryne, Graysen, and Lawsen Schuch were all business as they head into school with their backpacks in tow.
Sisters, Zoie and Lilliana Hansen are all smiles as they arrive at school and get off the bus.
Sisters, Lyanna and Dani Dahl-Krentz were so excited to get to school they made a dash for the front door.
Akron Legion Post 186 members Kaylene Hawkins and Garry Jacobson greet students on their first day back at Akron-Westfield.
Members of the Akron Legion Post 186, as well as A-W students line the sidewalk and welcome students back for the first day.

School mode: On!

The start of the 2025-2026 school year is officially underway for students of the Akron-Westfield School District. Friday, Aug. 22, marked the first day of school, and students were welcomed back with warm smiles and greetings from teachers, staff, and administrators. (Photos by Kim Fickett)

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