Students and staff at Nyack Middle School unveiled the Clinkscale Global Learning Commons to honor the state's first Black female school superintendent.

The new space bears the name of retired superintendent Arlene Clinkscale, who took the helm in the 1980s. She returned to the school Wednesday to join in the celebration.

"I hope that it will be busy," says Clinkscale. "I hope young people will enjoy it. And I hope that they will use it to its fullest extent."

The center offers both books and technology to help students succeed, just like Clinkscale did through her trailblazing career in Rockland education.

"She made it possible for African-American administrators like myself to have an opportunity through equity and we want to thank her for that and her name being on this building, being in this space for eternity is our way of honoring her," says Principal David Johnson.

Dr. Clinkscale also made history when she became the first Black teacher in Pearl River and Rockland's first Black female principal during her time at East Ramapo.