The Court, Awards, and Distinction

Queens and court ~

(clockwise)Martha Stacy, Glenda Broyhill, Connie Holtsclaw, Ollie Jackson, Glenda Broyhill, Ollie Jackson.

Dr. Miller recognizes Janie Shipley and Mike Wilson as the recipients of the Citizenship Award presented to a senior boy and girl who are the school's most outstanding citizens.

(An award we carry forward even in 2008!)
Voted Most Popular and Most Likely to Succeed:
Jack Lawrence and Mike Sink

Athletics and Good Sports

Barney Hodgson hands off the baton to Merle Todd in a relay race.
Stars on the court even in shorts ;-) Jack Lawrence, Gary Henson, Lee Stroupe, and Jimmy Deal
Gridiron makes its debut for the new WHS: (clockwise) R. D. Hodges, Merle Todd, Barney Hodgson, Scott Stanbery, Jimmy Marsh, Steve Hampton, and Mike Wilson
WHS Matmen: Coach Bill Brown, Lee Stroupe, Scott Stanbery, Scott and Steve Hampton, Curtis Williams and Lee Stroupe
Cheerleaders raise our spirits ~ (clockwise) Monnie Blanton, Monnie on the field, Jane Doughtery, Ollie Jackson, Becky Wilson, and Melinda Robinson

Class Officers 1965-66

Watauga presents its first graduating class ~ the Class of 1966!

Ted Brown, President ~ Ronnie McCreary, Vice President ~ Connie Holtsclaw, Secretary ~ Jack Lawrence ~ Treasurer
A bit shy but promising, Freshmen class officers Janelle Payne, Secretary ~ Dale Watson, Treasurer ~ Mark Wilson, Vice President ~ Greg Nichols, President
Sophomore Class officers Jerry Hayes, Vice President ~ Shelby Hampton, Secretary ~ Harry Yates, President ~ Kathleen Dancy, Treasurer
Junior Class officers work to make fun for the first Prom! Jimmy Marsh, President ~ Freddie Hatley, Vice President ~ Martha Wood, Secretary ~ H. J. Cottrell, Treasurer

The leaders of 1966 ~~~~~~~where are they now?

Somethings Remain Constant

Hard work paves the way to success. Focusing on the future and working in the present insures positive outcomes.
I found it interesting to read the topics for the graduation speakers in the first class of the new WHS.
Diane Hagaman questions, "are you an Optimist or a Pessimist?"
Linda Rainey challenges her fellow students to "Dare to be Different."
Mike Sink, top honor graduate, presided over the graduation ceremonies and introduced his theme: "Nothing Old Under the Sun".

I believe in my 33 years at WHS, I have heard variations on these themes at perhaps 30 graduation exercises. And each year the notions are as fresh and original to the graduating seniors as their neophyte intellect can sustain.

It is in these fresh dreams for the future that we see the results of our teachings. As they exit stage right with diplomas and a handshake, enter stage left the next freshmen class.

In the next post I will try to spotlight some individuals who created a WHS personna.

The LOOK ~ 1965-1966

William R. (Billy Ralph) Winkler demonstrates excellent form in the delivery of his "shuffle" in Varsity Gym.

Moving into our new school with new uniforms and attitude our majorettes strike up the band with precision twirling and posture.
The "ping pong craze" had swept the nation and we were on the game in these mountains.
Sometimes a gesture, a glance, a "Look" says it all.
Captured on a state of the art camera for all posterity.
Times were simple and times were complex.


The classroom was lively, but the attention was focused.
Modest and proud our new cheerleader uniforms sported our first "W"!
The future was now and our look was "modern".
Without the heritage preserved in our new yearbook, the "Musket" these images, stories, and reflections would not be possible.

Much of the text and narrative for these posts will be taken directly from the Musket. We are appreciative and thankful for the legacy the students who have labored on our yearbooks over the years have provided.

Teachers, Mentors, and Leaders

Mary Moretz

Katie Peterson

Carter Lentz

Bill Ross

Dr. Andy Miller

Dr. Miller accepts his duties as first principal of WHS.
As principal he set forth the regulations which served as guidelines for establishing the dignity of our school. His wisdom and understanding have played and important role in the success of our attempt to attain unity. A soft voice, a quiet walk, a gentle yet firm dispensing of justice, and unobtrusive air of competence ~ these qualities and more portray the image of the first principal of Watauga High School.

Board of Education and Superintendent

Board of Education: H. W. Mast, Mack Brown,

Dr. Charles Davant Jr., Chairman Guy Angell Superintendent

To these thoughtful men, among many others, the students of WHS owe a note of appreciation. Without their foresight our beautiful, spacious school would probably never have materialized. As representatives of the citizenry of Watauga county, these leaders continue to provide for the welfare of the various schools in Watauga County.

1965-1966 Look Who Was There

On Watauga,

the boys of summer were quite a team.
Lowell Younce ~ Current BOE Chairman

Jimmy Deal ~ Former BOE Chairman

J.C. Triplett

Mike Wilson

Robert Shearin

And who was coaching these diamond boys????

Andy Reese ~ former BOE Chairman!

The New Old WHS ~ First Year 1965-66

This is in tribute to the past. In this blog I will try to capture the Pioneer Spirit of WHS over the years. Over the next 100 weeks I will explore the heritage that is the Old Watauga High School.

I am sure I will miss something important, not see someone who made a difference, or make mistakes in this story. And I am counting on you, the reader, to send me your suggestions, let me know what I should try to learn, and help me tell our story.



Five schools closed their doors and histories that a larger institution might be born. In order to create a large dream, it is necessary to sacrifice smaller ones; such was the case with Watauga High School when five dreams for educating tomorrow’s leaders became one.
We, the students, created the school and gave Watauga High School its meaning; our spirit established its valor.
The past, as always, paved a new road to the future. We can never forget the experiences the past held; they prepared us for our future.
As we cannot forget the past, we cannot reject the future, for it holds life.

So, with the death of five wonderful histories, we gain the birth of a magnificent future.

With the passage of the bond issue on September, 1963, the massive project of building a new consolidated high school was begun. The five existing high schools – Appalachian. Bethel, Blowing Rock, Cove Creek, and Watauga Consolidated- merged into one.

Then overnight the finishing touches were being added to an ultra-modern building and the major portion of it was ready for its occupants. Time marched onward.