Yonkers celebrated its first new public school in 20 years with the person the building is named after - U.S. Supreme Court Judge Sonia Sotomayor.
"It's a beautiful day for Yonkers and for the Hispanic community, too," said Alejo Torres, who lives near the school on Mclean Avenue.
Justice Sotomayor, the first Hispanic U.S. Supreme Court judge spoke to students, educators and others.
She shared memories of growing up nearby in the Bronx, learning two languages and the importance of education.
More than 60% of the Yonkers Public Schools students are Hispanic.
"Humbling, moving and touching, for me to be here today to celebrate a school named after me," said Justice Sotomayor Monday afternoon. Judge Sotomayor has been honored with the task of coming up with a school mascot
A seventh-grade cultural class showed her what they've learned since starting school a few weeks ago, as educators look to have her legacy inspire the young minds.
This is the first year for the new Justice Sonia Sotomayor Community School on McLean Avenue in Yonkers. The dual language school accommodates 675 students from pre-K through seventh grade, with eighth grade being added next year.
The four-story academic building also features a one-story community building and is the first of three new schools that is being built in the city to address the aging infrastructure within the district.