Waukesha School Re-Named For One Of Its Former Students: Legendary Guitarist Les Paul

A dedication ceremony on Saturday will highlight the re-naming of a Waukesha school after the late guitarist Les Paul — a name change that hit sour notes for some school alumni.

Les Paul attended Waukesha Junior High and High School, but did not graduate from the latter. Instead, he went off to pursue a musical career and rise to international fame.

The Les Paul Foundation asked the Waukesha School District to change the name of what is now only a middle school, resulting in Saturday’s dedication for the Les Paul Middle School-Central Campus.

School Principal Rob Bennett said he hopes his students draw inspiration from Paul’s success.

“To live a dream and to refer back to other people who have attended here, Les Paul being one of them, or even other,” said Bennett. “They’re dreamers, they’re leaders they’re innovators. You could be one of them — you’re the next one.”

Bennett said science classes at the school discuss Paul’s musical inventions — and the inspiration for music classes is obvious.

Paul’s fame wasn’t enough to win over about 175 school alumni, however, who earlier this year signed a petition opposing the name change. Bennett said some of the critics have since visited the school.

“They may still be not happy with that name change, but I think they’re very much happy with what’s going on in the building,” said Bennett.

About 200 people are expected to attend tomorrow’ s ribbon cutting at Les Paul Middle school.