The News Reporter • West Columbus High School • 1965-2015 • Page 2
Willard Small WCHS Advisory Council
West Columbus High School under construction in 1964.
Sam Koonce WCHS Advisory Council
In 1961, patrons’ request for consolidation recommended by state nCounty residents ap-
proposal, about 200 citizens from the four towns met in Chadbourn High School and wholeheartedly accepted the decision.
By BOB HIGH Staff Writer
There was going to be a consolidated high school in Columbus County – the county’s first. By July 1962, the county commissioners and county school board met and agreed to offer a $2 million bond issue to county residents, all the money to be used for various county school projects, including about $500,000 to construct the new high school. On Nov. 6, 1962, county voters approved the $2 million bond issue with a plurality of 1,600 votes. The final tally was 4,258 in favor, and 2,640 opposed. At the same time, county voters defeated an $850,000 bond program to benefit the county hospital.
proved bond issue in 1962 to finance construction of West Columbus High School.
On Monday, March 5, 1962, the Columbus County Board of Education accepted a survey by a special state education team that recommended the consolidation of Evergreen, Fair Bluff, Cerro Gordo and Chadbourn high schools. Information gleaned from The News Reporter’s issues more than 50 years ago showed the board’s approval came one month after the state’s recommendation that included keeping grades 1-8 in place in the four towns destined to lose their high school identities. Thirty days after the school board accepted the state’s
Bond issue
T. Ward Guy, right, superintendent of Columbus County Schools, and P.L. Lathan of the state’s school planning division, talked in 1962 about the state’s recommendation to buy 30 acres of land at the intersection of U.S. 76 and N.C. 242 for the site of the first consolidated high school in the county – West Columbus.
Site selection
Simpson and Savage, the architectural firm from Raleigh that did most of the county schools’ design work during the previous 10 years, was selected in December 1962 to design the new high school. A headline in the Jan. 10, 1963 issue of the newspaper noted the school board would select the site for the new school within 10 days. The state’s Division of School Planning recommended a 30acre parcel offered by former sheriff H. Hugh Nance of Cerro Gordo. Nance’s tract was at the corner of U.S. 76 and N.C. 242 in Cerro Gordo. The state’s report noted it would cost more to develop the Nance property for the school than other tracts – most of them in the Williamson Crossroads area.
See New school, page 23
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The News Reporter • West Columbus High School • 1965-2015 • Page 3
Sam Koonce in 1969
Jimmy L. Gainey in 1969
Deborah F. Byrd in 1969
Jo-Neal Campbell in 1986
Laura Blake in 1999
50 years of West Columbus High School 1965-1966
The year began as David T. Singleton, the first principal of WCHS, welcomed more than 650 students to the new school. He had no assistant principal for the first five years. The sports teams were then known as the Rebels. The basketball team that year welcomed David Lawrence, who became the first African-American to play in the North Carolina EastWest All-Star game.
1966-67
David T. Singleton continued as principal. Longtime band director Robert Hodges joined the faculty and trained the school’s musicians to be part of the Columbus County Band.
1967-68
David T. Singleton continued as principal.
1968-69
ton as assistant.
David T. Singleton continued as principal.
1969-1970
David T. Singleton continued as principal and was joined by the school’s first assistant principal, Pierce Dalton. That year, the newly named Vikings won the North Carolina 2A basketball championship.
1970-71
Charles E. Sexton became the principal with Pierce Dalton as assistant. We s t C o l u m b u s H i g h School FFA received the National FFA Chapter Award at the Kansas City convention.
1971-72
Charles E. Sexton remained the principal with Pierce Dalton as assistant.
1972-73
Charles E. Sexton remained the principal with Pierce Dal-
1973-74
Charles E. Sexton remained the principal with Pierce Dalton as assistant.
1974-75
Charles E. Sexton remained the principal with Pierce Dalton as assistant.
1975-76
Charles E. Sexton remained the principal with Pierce Dalton as assistant. Mr. West (no first name in the yearbook) was named the band director.)
1976-77
Charles E. Sexton remained the principal with Pierce Dalton as assistant.
1977-78
In the fall of 1977, West Columbus High School began a new year with Charles Sexton as principal. Pierce Dalton retired and Eugene Sturdivant was serving as assistant principal. Columbus County Schools was under the leader-
ship of Dr. Jerry Paschal, who developed the slogan, “Positive thinking is dwelling more on the good things of life than the bad.” The staff and faculty was numbered in the sixties. Total students graduating were 180.
1978-79
The beginning of the school year was under the leadership of Charles Sexton as principal and Eugene Sturdivant as assistant principal. The faculty and staff employed remained in the sixties. Total students graduating was 163. We s t C o l u m bu s h a d a change in leadership. Charles Sexton resigned to accept another position as principal at Cerro Gordo Elementary. Tommy Nance accepted the position as principal with Eugene Sturdivant acting as assistant principal. Mitchell Tyler was Superintendent of
Columbus County Schools. In 1980 West Columbus did a five-year interim selfevaluation study. This study outlined goals and long-term improvements for the school. The graduating class was 158.
1980-81
Tommy Nance, principal and Eugene Sturdivant, Assistant principal were in charge for the school year. The courtyards were updated for student lounge areas. One was between the agriculture building and the science hall the other between the math hall and the gym. An in-school suspension program was initiated. The graduating class was 151.
1981-82
Tommy Nance, principal and Eugene Sturdivant, as-
See Year-by-year, page 21
Congratulations West Columbus High School 50th Anniversary
Jackie Andel Pierce “WCHS Class of ‘85”
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The News Reporter • West Columbus High School • 1965-2015 • Page 4
Three current members of the N.C. legislature were members of WCHS student body in 1969 By ALLEN TURNER Staff Writer With only 170 members in the North Carolina General Assembly, it’s something of a feather in the cap of West Columbus High School that three of those legislators were all members of the WCHS student body at the same time in 1969. Rep. Ken Waddell, D-Columbus, of Chadbourn, a Fair Bluff native and 1971 graduate of the school, is in his second term as one of 120 members of the House of Representatives. Fair Bluff native Sen. Bill Rabon, R-Brunswick, of Southport, and Boardman native Sen. Norman Sanderson Jr., R-Pamlico, of Arapahoe, both members of the WCHS Class of 1969, are two of the 50 members of the Senate. Rabon is in his third term in the Senate, while Sanderson, in his second term as a senator after having served one term in the House of Representatives. The year they graduated, Rabon was president of the WCHS student body and Sanderson was president of the senior class. Both Rabon and Sanderson made their first-ever runs for public office in 2010; Waddell, on the other hand, came to the legislature after a long career in municipal government, first as a member of the Chadbourn Town Council and then as mayor of Chadbourn. With more than 400 high
WCHS alums Sen. Bill Rabon, Rep. Ken Waddell and Sen. Norm Sanderson schools in North Carolina and with 46 years having passed since all three were students at West Columbus, the odds against three members of that student body sitting in the 170-member legislature are long indeed. That two of the 50 senators were members of the
same WCHS class of 1969 is statistically significant and, to make the odds even longer, the 64-year-old Rabon and Sanderson were born one day apart on June 6 and June 7, 1951, respectively, in the old Southeastern General Hospital in Lumberton, which means that
two current members of the state senate were in the nursery of the maternity ward in Lumberton at the same time! Waddell, 62, grew up outside Fair Bluff, a son of Schley and the late Elsie Waddell. His dad still lives on the family farm.
He was a member of the yearbook staff his junior year, member of the Future Farmers of America (serving as vice president in his junior year and president his senior year), vice president of his homeroom as a freshman and president of his homeroom his sophomore and junior years, served on the student council, and played junior varsity baseball. During his senior year, he won the Chemistry Award and was named to Who’s Who. After high school, Waddell obtained undergraduate and master’s degrees from N.C. State University and went on to retire after a 30-year career as a vocational agriculture teacher in the Columbus County School System. He continues to be an active farmer. Waddell is one of four siblings. He and his wife, Susan, have two adult children, Brittany and Taylor. Rabon grew up in Fair Bluff, a son of Velma June Rabon and the late James Roy Rabon. Rabon’s mother lives in Southport. Besides being president of the WCHS student body in 1969, he served as homeroom president his freshman year, member of the Future Farmers of America (including serving as vice president as a sophomore and president as a sophomore), played basketball three years (serving
See Legislators, page 19
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The News Reporter • West Columbus High School • 1965-2015 • Page 5
West Columbus grad Jerry Lanier has long career in U.S. diplomatic corps By ALLEN TURNER Staff Writer United States Ambassador Jerry P. Lanier, a native of Chadbourn and a 1970 graduate of West Columbus High School, is back in Africa as Charge d’Affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Sudan. He is a career diplomat with 31 years of experience in the State Department. Prior to his posting in Sudan, he was a faculty member at the National Defense University in Washington, D.C., the premier center for joint professional military education under the direction of the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The NDU is a postgraduate school for graduates of the National War College. Before that, he was the United States ambassador to Uganda. Lanier was nominated for his first ambassadorship by President Barack Obama June 29, 2009 and confirmed for the post by the U.S. Senate Aug. 4, 2009. The 63-year-old ambassador is the son of the late Helen and Buell Lanier of Chadbourn. His dad served as Columbus County’s coroner. At West Columbus, Ambassador Lanier lettered in baseball, basketball and football and was a member of the state championship baseball and basketball squads in 1970. He served on the student council for four years and was
Lanier in 1970
In 1970 Jerry Lanier points out a country on a map. president of his homeroom for three years. He was a member of the Library Club and served as a library aide. He was president of the Science Club during his sophomore year. As a junior he served as vice president of the Monogram Club. He earned his B.A. degree at Pembroke State University and his M.A. degree at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. He was a lecturer
in the History Department at UNC-Charlotte for three years before joining the U.S. State Department as a foreign service officer specializing primarily in African affairs. During his State Department career, which began in 1983, he served as deputy director for the Office of Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh Affairs, deputy director for the Office of West African Affairs,
Congratulating West Columbus High on its 50th Anniversary!
legislative management officer for Africa, country officer for South Korea and special assistant to the assistant secretary for African Affairs. Lanier took additional State Department positions, including deputy chief of mission in Ghana, as well as posts in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Thailand, Kenya and the Philippines. He became director of the Office of Regional and Security Affairs in the State Department’s Africa Bureau. Prior to his appointment as ambassador to Uganda, Lanier was foreign policy advisor for the United States Africa Command in Stuttgart, Germany. Lanier is married to Dr. Catherine Kannenberg, a psychologist and herself the daughter of a deceased U.S. diplomat. Although they own a home in Wilmington, during his duty stints in the Washington area, they have resided in
Lanier today the Virginia suburbs of the nation’s capital. The ambassador has four children. They are son Peter, a resident of Washington who is a producer for CNN’s “The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer;” daughter Julianne Hollingsworth, a teacher in Guilford County; daughter Claire, who resides in Denver, Co., where she is an executive assistant and administrator of the Centennial campaign at the Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum; and son Jordan, who is a general service agent with the Market Pavilion Hotel in Charleston, S.C. Lanier doesn’t quite know what the future holds after his current assignment. The State Department has a mandatory retirement age of 65. However, ambassadors are exempt from that requirement
See Ambassador, page 20
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The News Reporter • West Columbus High School • 1965-2015 • Page 6
The Waccamaw Athletic Association 1966 Varsity Basketball Champs were, kneeling, from left: Donald Ray Bass, Danny Faulk, L.R. Oldham, Greg Hoover, Terry Buffkin, W.C. Meares and Johnny Cutrell. Standing, Phillip Small, Allison Ramsey, Larry Johnson, David Lawrence, Walter Manuel, Robert Dove and Carvin Gerald.
The 1992 WCHS Track Team included, first row: Nate Frink, Keona Mack, Laura Osbourne, Jennifer Thompson, Thomasinna McKellar, Keno Jones, Chris Smith and Stansel Bellamy. Second row: Reginald Frink, Greg Brown, Billy Washington, Edward Stackhouse, Peter Moore, Myron Burney, Eric Ward and Frank Merritt. Third row: Antonio Williamson, Shawn Graham, Marvin Edge, Kendale Young, Kenya Young, Andre Williams and Ashley Nobles.
WCHS has legacy of successful teams, athletes By DAN BISER Sports Editor On March 14, 1970 at the R.J. Reynolds High School gym in Winston-Salem, Coach Hubert McCleney’s West Columbus Vikings defeated Northern Nash 77-63 to win the North Carolina 2A basketball championship with future NBA player Greg Jackson having a big outing. Less than three months later, Coach George McRae’s West Columbus baseball team traveled to Hendersonville where it swept the HHS Bearcats in two straight games of a best of three series for the North Carolina Class 2A championship. WCHS won by scores of 10-2 and 6-2 with senior Jerry Lanier pitching both victories. It was an impressive double-
header, and it certainly was a huge accomplishment for a school that less than five years earlier had opened its doors for the first time. W h e n We s t C o l u m bu s opened in 1965, it had what was then one of most spacious high school gymnasiums in Southeastern North Carolina and continues to be utilized by the Vikings. The 1965-66 WCHS hoops team was paced that season by senior David Lawrence, who became the first African-American to play in the North Carolina EastWest All-Star game. Lawrence went on to a standout college basketball career at Kansas State. From 1977 to 1979, under head coach Jack Gaster, West Columbus football ran to three straight Three Rivers 3A Con-
ference football championships. The 1979 team, paced by the play of future East Carolina standout James Martin, advanced to the second round of the state playoffs and finished with a 10-1-1 record, the best football mark in school history. In 1982, West Columbus became the site of one of the nation’s most bitter college football recruiting battles between Clemson and North Carolina State as both were out to claim the services of Viking All-State lineman Reggie Singletary. Singletary finally decided on N.C. State where he went on to have a standout career. He followed that up with a six -year NFL career with the Philadelphia Eagles. In 1987, West Columbus High School girls basketball
David Lawrence players Leigh Waddell and Treka McMillian were both selected to play for the East squad in the annual East-West All-Star game at Greensboro Coliseum. It marked one of the
very few times that two players from the same high school team had been selected in the same year. McMillian went on to play for the University of South Carolina and Waddell played at UNC-Chapel Hill. In 1992 and 1993, the West Columbus boys track and field team copped back-to-back North Carolina 2A championships at UNC-Chapel Hill’s Fetzer Field. Both titles were claimed despite the fact that the Vikings didn’t have an oncampus track facility. Those back-to-back championships were paced by Nate Frink, Keno Jones, Chris Smith, Keona Mack, Aaron Mack, James Green and Eric Ward. There is still no track at West Columbus and the Vikings still send athletes to the state
See Sports, page 17
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The News Reporter • West Columbus High School • 1965-2015 • Page 7
Viking Tales: From student to teacher By SHALON SMITH Contributing Writer
“There’s a certain comforting aspect to that. It has more advantages than disadvantages,” she said. “When you work in the community you live in, I think you have a connection with the students and their families that you may not otherwise have. You have some insights that other people may not know,” Leggett said. “Having a history with the families always helps you have a better rapport with the students— you gain a bit more respect that way.”
Donna Carter Cartrette Class of 1977
“When I was at West Columbus it seemed a lot bigger than it does now,” said Donna Carter Cartrette, class of 1977. She said she enjoyed her time in high school and was very involved in Future Business Leaders of American and Future Homemakers of America—two clubs that unfortunately are not currently represented at the school. “It saddens me that there is no FBLA or FHA out here anymore,” Cartrette said. Cartrette has a long history with West Columbus. Both of her children, Justin and Jennifer, graduated from the school and people thought she had worked there then because of the many hours she spent volunteering and participating with the band boosters. After working at SCC for a while, Cartrette says it is “exciting” being back at West Columbus and being a part of the Viking family again. She wears the blue with pride and admits “It’s a lot different being an employee than a student. I get to enforce the rules instead of obey them,” she said jokingly.
Amanda B. Leggett Class of 1998
‘Never say never’ rang true with Amanda Bullock Leggett, Class of 1998 graduate. “When I left high school I swore I was never coming back to West Columbus and never coming
Donna Carter Cartrette
Amanda Bullock Leggett
Caroline Newman
Cartrette in 1977
Leggett in 1998
Newman in 2007
back to Columbus County,” she said. Leggett first majored in nursing but after an anatomy course she realized nursing just wasn’t for her. Over the years, she kept in touch with Jeanie Ivey, former West Columbus English teacher, and
after a few chats decided English education was the right path. Remaining in touch paid off — when Ivey retired, Leggett stepped in. Le g g ett was bor n and raised in the Williamson’s Crossroads community near the school. Her parents gradu-
ated from West Columbus. Her husband graduated from West Columbus. Her in-laws had both taught at West Columbus. West Columbus is “home,” which eased the transition as a staff member because she knew them and they knew her.
Caroline Newman Class of 2007
As it was getting close to time for Caroline Newman, Class of 2007, to graduate from college, she started her job search in Columbus County. “I wasn’t one of those people who said I’d move back to Columbus County but I never thought I would,” she said. Though she adjusted to being away from home, she called it “comforting” to begin a new career in her home county. She had applied to a few openings at various schools in the area but when the position at West became open, she knew it was for her. “I feel loyal to West Columbus. I want to be here,” she said. “Once a Viking, Always a Viking holds true to me, even when I was a Brave at Pembroke.” The small school and smaller teaching staff at West Columbus, compared to some of the other schools in the county, make for a helpful
See Viking tales, page 13
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The News Reporter • West Columbus High School • 1965-2015 • Page 8
All of a sudden, we were ‘us’ By SHALON SMITH Contributing Writer Paulette Greene Hinson calls high school the time of her life. As a member of the charter class of West Columbus High, she said going from a small school like Cerro Gordo to such a big school like West Columbus was “exciting.” West Columbus was a lot different from the smaller, Cerro Gordo School. “In the small school, the teachers knew you, they knew your mommy and daddy, they knew your brothers and sisters,” she said. “There were just so many teachers at West Columbus.” Hinson was thankful enough to work in the office alongside Susy Thompson and went around collecting attendance cards from teachers, which helped her meet the teachers. The rivals who had been in place between the smaller feeder schools of Cerro Gordo, Fair Bluff, Chadbourn and Evergreen were brought together. “There was no more rivalry, we were us,” Hinson said. She actually enjoyed “getting to know people of color on that close level.” Though she may have had friends of color growing up, she “never had the chance to be in school together—it was great. We made great friends with people like Ruby Hammonds, Walter Manuel and David Lawrence.” She remembers when the school first started and they
Hinson at WCHS
Paulette Greene Hinson were called the Rebels. “I’ve thought about it through the years. For us, it didn’t have a negative connotation—we were rebel without a cause, James Dean. I understand certainly as I’ve gotten older why
they changed it to Vikings, but at the time, I don’t think that crossed any of our minds when we chose that name.” If she could go back and talk to herself and classmates 50 years ago she’d tell them to
MEMORIES “My favorite memories are of the days of us stepping and getting the crowds hyped up at the games. We were the first in our county and surrounding counties so of course we were the best ... I’m just saying, we were.”
Darian Nixon Class of 2001
do the things that they’d like to get done without putting them off. “The time comes when you run out of time,” Hinson said. “I’d tell my classmates to enjoy the time that they have — not to grow up so fast.” Hinson graduated in June of ’66 and was married a couple of weeks later to her husband, Wayne. “If I could I’d tell my classmates not to rush into adulthood, enjoy the time being young, enjoy not having responsibilities,” she said. Over the years Hinson has remained active in the school by substitute teaching and volunteering. Both of her children graduated from West Columbus – one in 1992 and the other in 2000. This year is a milestone in many ways for her family. It marks the 50th anniversary of the school and a first for her granddaughter. “My granddaughter Anna started out there on the 50th year, the anniversary of my last year, and that’s pretty special,” Hinson said.
1972 Homecoming Queen Katherine K. Flowers
MEMORIES “Sgt. Johnson in JROTC constantly trying to karate chop people with one hand while holding a cup of coffee in the other. And that one funkyspeaking algebra teacher constantly saying what sounded like ‘Paul Warner in alasga,’ but he was really saying ‘you move slower than pond water in Alaska.’’ Shonta Williams Class of 1999
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The News Reporter • West Columbus High School • 1965-2015 • Page 9
David Singleton
Charles Sexton
Jerry Holden
Thomas A. Nance
Danny McPherson
WCHS has been helmed by 11 principals
David T. Singleton was the first principal of West Columbus High School. During his last year with the school, 196970, Pierce Dalton was named assistant principal. Dalton would remain at that post through seven of Charles E. Sexton’s eight years as the second principal of the school. During Sexton’s last year, 1977-78, Eugene Sturdivant was named assistant principal. In 1978, Thomas A. Nance was named the third principal of WCHS with Sturdivant as assistant. In 1983, William Graham became Nance’s assistant. Nance said his tenure at the school was a pleasure. There were more than 900 students enrolled. “The students were good to work with and the staff were all veterans who knew what to do,” he said, adding that there was little faculty turnover at the time.
“It was a great experience,” he said. “I loved working with high school-aged students and working with athletics.” He recalled how when there was a project to be done or a goal to be met, the entire school got behind it. Nance would remain as principal through 1988-89. In 1989, Charles G. “Jerry” Holden was named the fourth principal of the school with Graham remaining as assistant. A second assistant principal, George Dillard, came aboard in 1992. In 1993, Danny McPherson was named the fifth principal. William Graham remained assistant principal and Elizabeth Long replaced George Dillard, who had become the principal of another school. In 1997, William Graham was replaced by David Lawrence as assistant principal. In 1999, Steven Clontz was named the sixth principal
Pierce Dalton Assistant Principal with Lawrence and Long as assistants. In 2001, Worley Edwards was named the seventh principal with Kathryn Faulk and Georgia Spaulding as assistants. In 2003, Kathryn Faulk was named eighth principal with Emmett Lay and Harold Bellamy as assistants.
Michael Powell Assistant Principal
Eugene Sturdivant Assistant Principal In 2005, Edwards returned to WCHS as its ninth principal with Bellamy and Kathy Davis as assistants. In 2006, Mark Brown replaced Bellamy. In 2007, Brown was promoted as the school’s 10th principal. Jeff Greene took his assistant post. In 2010, Greene became the
school’s 11th principal with Stephanie Packer and William Wright as assistants. In 2011, Wright was replaced by Michael Powell. In 2012, Packer was replaced by Amanda Leggett. In 2014, Leggett was reassigned as a principal at another school.
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The News Reporter • West Columbus High School • 1965-2015 • Page 10
Jean Arthur Hammond’s class in 1986.
Joanne Green in 1969.
Shawn Worthington in 1999
Vincent Winnies in 1969.
MEMORIES
Jared Worthington in 1999
Jeanette Chestnut in 1969
Roger Cribb in 1969
Richard Peacock in 1978
C.J. Campbell and Sharonda Addison in 1999.
Mildred Coleman in 1969
“Miss Annie Lawrence Smith said, ‘You know your daddy and my husband are good friends,’ and I said ‘Oh no, I don’t want Fred Williams out here,’ and then she said, ‘No, I will have him at my house.’ Then I said, ‘Oh no, that’ll be worse!’” Pauline Williams Class of 1971
In 1978, the “most athletic” David Small taught English were Katrina Bullock and John Martin. at WCHS in 1969
Debbie Cribbs in 1969
The News Reporter • West Columbus High School • 1965-2015 • Page 11
WCHS queen, FFA members go to Kansas City By CLARA CARTRETTE Staff Writer Forty-four years ago a Columbus County farm girl represented young farmers from West Columbus High School, the Waccamaw District and the state of North Carolina in the national Miss American Royal pageant at the Future Farmers of America convention in Kansas City, Mo. She brought home the silver, coming in as the national first runner-up. That farm girl is Mary Ann Strickland Allgood, who now resides in Whiteville. She was first selected to represent West Columbus High School FFA in the district pageant. She then won the state FFA Royal Queen pageant in Raleigh, the first held in North Carolina, and started making plans to go to the national pageant. She has fond memories of the trip, as it was the farthest she had ever been from home. Her mother, Louise Strickland, went with her but Mary Ann’s official chaperone was WCHS home economics teacher Esther Collier. It wasn’t planned, but Mary Ann’s mother also became involved in the pageant. The Nevada FFA queen did not have a chaperone, so pageant officials called on Mrs. Strickland and she accepted. A West Columbus caravan drove to Kansas City and back, an eye-opener for a farm girl who had never done much traveling out of the two Carolinas. Among the drivers were
West Columbus High School FFA received the National FFA Chapter Award at the Kansas City convention. WCHS agriculture teacher and FFA leader John W. Faulk, Dock Richardson and Wayne Hendricks. “I was under watchful eyes,” Mary Ann said. “It was probably one of the best ‘opening door to life’ experiences I’ve ever had,” she said. “It was all fun — genuine happiness; I saw things I had never seen before. I even saw water run upstream and a president’s house (The Hermitage, Andrew Jackson’s home in Tennessee). I saw white horses dancing and real rodeos.” There were no major shopping trips for Mary Ann’s pageant wardrobe. She made her blue and white velvet FFA dress and her blue velvet swimsuit, probably under the watchful eye of home economics teacher Esther Collier. WCHS teacher Lib Epps helped her learn to “dress better,” she said.
Mary Ann Strickland Allgood
The 18-year-old was in awe of Kansas City’s Continental Hotel. “It took a long time to get from the lobby to the 15th floor
Coverage that never takes a time-out.
Mary Ann in her FFA gown. on the elevator,” she said. “I told them I could drive from
Cherry Grove to Cerro Gordo that fast. “We were just a bunch of country bumpkins,” she added with a laugh. She said the pageant was held in the coliseum. The 16 state queens participated in luncheons, dinners, receptions, photo sessions, interviews and formal dinner judging. She recalls that the Tabor City Civitan Club presented her a piece of luggage and other gifts for her national pageant trip. The trip to Kansas City was a new experience, but being in the pageant was something she had done several times before. She was Miss West Columbus, Strawberry Festival Queen, second runner-up in the Miss Columbus County pageant, Miss Congeniality and first runner-up in the next year’s Miss Columbus County pageant, Miss Spot Festival and others. Her pageantry experience taught her how to smile and cock her head, she said, and she was invited to a lot of pageants and festivals. “We put about 10,000 miles on Daddy’s old truck,” she said. “We met the nicest people all over the state.” Among the souvenirs of her pageant days are many photos of her Kansas City trip and from various pageants. There is an invitation to meet Miss America, a copy of a thank you note she wrote to officials in Kansas City who presented her a coat at
See Queen, page 18
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The News Reporter • West Columbus High School • 1965-2015 • Page 12
MEMORIES “Going on all of the different band trips — not just to get out of class early — but to get to compete and to see all of the other schools’ bands. Knowing how we performed here, getting to see how everyone else did was fun.” Clementine Martin in 1999
Caroline Newman Class of 2007
Dorothy Jenkins Strickland, or “Mrs. Dorothy” was a favorite of students and staff alike at WCHS for years.
Students in 1995
Brandon Campbell in 2004
Darryl Towns in 1978
MEMORIES Saturday *December 5* 6pm
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“One of the coolest things that happened while I was at West Columbus was the opening of the auditorium and arts wing. I remember coming to school and seeing the daily progress as the building slowly started to take shape. The building looked so huge compared to the rest of the campus. It seemed like every week or so a new rumor would start about a possible pool. Being a member of the first class to walk across the stage in that new auditorium for graduation is one of my favorite memories at WCHS.” Joshua King Class of 2000
The News Reporter • West Columbus High School • 1965-2015 • Page 13
Georganna McRae ‘99
MEMORIES
Color pages from the 1978 WCHS yearbook
“My business classes with Mrs. Faye Garland and Mrs. Robertson were the best. The business courses led me right into a job and then a degree in business—which is what I’m back at West Columbus teaching.” Shellie Cribb Britt Class of 1979
In 1999, Angelixa Gause and Conoda Gore were the The “biggest flirts” in 1986 were Nicky Nance and Sylvia “best dressed.” Anderson.
Viking tales Continued from page 7 environment, Newman said. “You get really close to them. You ask for help and it’s not hard to find,” she said. The close-knit teaching atmosphere has also helped Newman gain her footing
MEMORIES
as a newer teacher working alongside her former teachers. “I had learned from them content [as a student], and now I’m learning from them career,” she said. The transition, however,
from calling some of the other staff members “Mister” and “Missus” to their first name was hard at first. “Coach Powell will always be Coach Powell,” Newman laughed.
“While I was there our track team won the state title two years in a row and we had no actual track to practice on!! ‘Back to back and still no track!’” (We had shirts made with that slogan).
Laura Klingensmith Wilkins Class of 1995
Congratulations
West Columbus High School on 50 Years
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The News Reporter • West Columbus High School • 1965-2015 • Page 14
In 2010, the Student Government Association was helmed by President Allison Farmer, Vice-President Shay Edge, Secretary Tatyana Faulk-Frink, Treasurer Adrianna Young and Reporter Raven Boone.
Paul Scott in 2004
MEMORIES “I was playing softball my freshman year versus Whiteville and I hit a home run to win the game.” Colene Kelly Class of 1998
Twanna McDonald in 2002 In 2004, Ashlee Stephens was Miss West Columbus and Kristin Worley was Miss West Columbus Princess.
Franklin Davis is 1971
MEMORIES “Snake gigging on the ag bus on Monroe Enzor’s farm and getting a hall pass from Mrs. Esther Collier and leaving with the school van for hours at time.”
In 1986, the “most likely to succeed” were James Caviness and Mary Donna Leggett.
MEMORIES “Willie Graham was always tracking me down in the hallway when I would run and cut across the street.” Joseph Evans Class of 1993
In 1971, the Student Council officers were President Mark Scott, Vice-President Cindy Quick, Reporter Frank Blake, Secretary Sonja Green and Treasurer Debbie Thigpen.
Scott Burchette Class of 1984
The News Reporter • West Columbus High School • 1965-2015 • Page 15
Music with a Viking Touch
The 1971 varsity basketball team included, top row, Daryl Swain, Donald Ray Smith, John Bullard, Dwight Simmons, Juie Ratley, and Tommy Davis. Bottom row: William Ratley, Jerry Bellamy, Charles Sanderson, Dwayne Eissens, Harvey Everett, Phillip Honeycutt. At left is manager Robert Kelly and at right, Coach Hubert McCleney.
In 1992, the “best all around” were Tanesha Bone and Rashad Roberts.
West Columbus High School has always maintained a strong band program, beginning with director Robert Hodges, (bottom left photo), who was instrumental in creating and maintaining the band programs for all of the county high schools as well as Whiteville High School. He was WCHS band director from 1966 until 1973. Today, that tradition is carried on by director of bands George Nickerson (bottom right photo) who has been
at the helm since 1999, the longest tenure of any director at the school. Under his leadership, the Marching Vikings have brought home dozens of performance and competition trophies. The other band directors between Hodges and Nickerson included Vincent Winnies (1979-81), Rene Mailhot (1981-82), Randy Rouse (198384), Brenda Horst Flowers (1988-1995), Stephen Whisnant (1996) and Shane Marcus (1997).
“I was a member of the first freshman class to attend WCHS. After spending eight years at Evergreen, it was an overwhelming experience to move to such a large building with so many strangers. Evergreen had been small enough for only one or sometimes two classes per grade. When arriving at West Columbus, students were divided into three levels (just like reading groups in the first grade - red birds, blue birds, etc.). I was separated from my closest friends and hated it. As the year went along, friendships developed and by the second year,
MEMORIES
bonds had formed that are still strong today. While I was not happy about leaving Evergreen, I can truthfully say, I am so glad we had the opportunity to attend West Columbus. There were many advantages we would have missed out on had we remained in the smaller schools. Of course, great choice for academic courses but another advantage was having a stronger athletic program and enjoying those state playoff games. The basketball games in those early years were made super exciting with the play of David Lawrence and
Harriett Gowans in 1971
Walter Manuel. How exciting it was to see David throw it toward the basket and Walter jumping to catch it and dropping it in the basket! Oh, the fun we had over those four years! It was a scary time for many of us when our buses bulled into the parking lot of that big, new campus but with each day, it soon became “home” to us. I will never forget going back to the school for a class reunion and wondering, “What happened to the big building I remembered?” That overwhelming building had grown much smaller since we left in 1969.” Liz White Class of 1969
The News Reporter • West Columbus High School • 1965-2015 • Page 16
MEMORIES “I always loved spirit week. I think everyone remembers my gorilla suit. Sometimes my mom (Sissy Long) would call me over the intercom and it was like you could hear the entire school say, ‘Oooooooooh.’” The “best looking” in 1971 were Charles McArthur and Barbara Crawford.
Hamilton Long Class of 2000 Faculty member James Rabon in the late 1960s.
MEMORIES “My fondest memories of West Columbus High School were being involved in the Athletic programs in cheerleading and volleyball and participating in the Cultural Arts Presentations each year. Mrs Epps was one of my alltime favorite teachers. My blood bleeds Viking blue so much that I joined the staff in 2006 and have been teaching and coaching ever since. Once a Viking, Always a Viking” Tasha Bass Dyson Class of 1992
Monte Herring in 1971
Congratulations
West Columbus High School
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Allen Turner in 1969
Michael Shaw in 1978
Thanks West Columbus for 50 years of Quality Education
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The News Reporter • West Columbus High School • 1965-2015 • Page 17
Sports Continued from page 6 meet virtually every year. In West Columbus’ first 50 years, there have been only two head coaches for the boys varsity basketball team – Hubert McCleney (1965-1988) and Michael Powell (1988-present). Nate Frink graduated in 1993 as a five-sport athlete, turning in standout careers in football, basketball, indoor track and field, basketball, baseball and outdoor track and field. West Columbus is one of very few high schools in the U.S. that has had a pair of brothers compete in the World Series of Major League Baseball. They are Otis Nixon (Class of 1977) with the Atlanta Braves in 1993, and Donell Nixon (Class of 1980) with the San Francisco Giants in the 1989 “Bay Area Earthquake Series.” Otis Nixon played for 17 seasons in the majors, enjoying his best years as centerfielder and lead-off hitter for the Braves. Both of the Nixons were all-conference and allcounty performers in three sports while attending West Columbus. In 2003, the WCHS boys basketball team was eliminated by South Brunswick in the first round of the Waccamaw Conference tournament. However, the Vikings stepped into state 2A playoff action a week later to record road upsets over Red Springs, Southwest Onslow and East Bladen to advance to the Eastern N.C. 2A Regional Tournament at East Carolina University’s Minges Coliseum in Greenville. Coach Michael Powell’s Vikings once again stepped up by beating Eastern Alamance and then topped longtime rival Whiteville in the final to gain the Eastern title. Their Cinderella ride ended with a loss to Reidsville in the state 2A championship game at UNCChapel Hill’s Smith Center. In 2006, Coach Ricky Young’s Viking baseball team advanced to the state 1A championship series at N.C. State University’s Doak Field. West Columbus lost to Chatham Central in the third and deciding game of the series, closing its season with a 27-3 record.
One Special Day 2003 Vikings There have been a lot of unique aspects involving West Columbus High School athletics in the school’s first 50 years. The most recent was the march of the 2015 Viking baseball team to the Eastern N.C. 1A Regional championship finals where it was nipped by longtime rival Whiteville. The big playoff run was followed up in early June with the selection of Viking outfielder Eric “E.J.” Jenkins as the second round pick of the Texas Rangers in the 2015 Major League Draft. Jenkins signed with the Rangers a few days later for a $2 million bonus. Other WCHS baseball players who through the years have been drafted and signed pro contracts were Shayne Hammond, Keith Frink, Jim Faulk and Daniel Britt. Through the years, a good number of Viking athletes have gone on to compete for college programs and there have been a good number who have gone on to assume coaching positions. Wayne Williamson, the first baseman on the 1970 West Columbus state championship baseball team spent much of his teaching/coaching career at his alma mater, and he served as head coach of the victorious East squad in the 1999 East-West All-Star Football Game in Greensboro.
We s t C o l u m b u s H i g h School athletes who have been recipients of the annual Jiggs Powers Award as Columbus County’s Most Outstanding Athlete are Colon Carter (1967), Otis Nixon (1977), Leigh Waddell (1987), C.W. Singletary (2000), Ryan McCleney (2006) Chris Stephens (2010).
MEMORIES “What I loved and miss about WCHS was the closeness that I felt our class had with each other. I feel like everyone was friends and treated everyone well. It was also the same with the teachers. The staff was close with the students as well. I’ve told people many times I’m glad I went to WCHS ‘cause I felt like we were all family ... we didn’t have segregation or cliques or groups.” Melissa Bright Class of 2000
A strong argument can be made that baseball has been the most consistent sports program at West Columbus. Certainly boys basketball can make a legitimate claim as well. The baseball program does have one claim to fame that basketball cannot match. The 1972 Vikings were typical of the majority of Viking baseball teams, competitive with the best teams in the area. Their regular season record was 13-6. They finished second to Hallsboro in the Waccamaw Conference with a 9-5 record. Coach George McRae’s team advanced to the finals of the conference tournament before dropping a 4-1 decision to Hallsboro. In those days only the conference champion advanced to the playoffs. On April 5, 1972, the Vikings did something that separated them from the rest of the teams in the state of North Carolina. West Columbus hosted the baseball nine from Green Sea - Floyds, S.C. That wasn’t unusual. The teams had met earlier that season, south of the border. West Columbus won that contest 23-0 in five innings. Two 11-run innings catapulted the Vikings to victory. Surprisingly, 23 runs were scored, but no batter had more than one hit, according to statistics provided by John Blake. The lopsided outcome still did not provide a clue to the happenings on April 5. West Columbus defeated GSF 51-2 on April 5, 1972. Yes, 51 to 2. No misprint or transposing of numbers. Before you start hammering Coach McRae about running up the score for a record, the oppos-
ing coach refused to utilize the 10-run mercy rule. Also, every Viking played in the game and got numerous atbats. The 51 runs stood as the North Carolina High School Athletic Association record for runs by one team until last season when Perquimans defeated Cape Hatteras 52-1. The 53 runs combined still is tied with the Perquimans/ Cape Hatteras contest as the most runs by the two teams combined in a game. The Vikings hammered 27 hits. Remember, this was before aluminum bats had arrived on the scene. The hits included four home runs and three triples. GSF helped by committing seven errors and issuing 20 walks. The Vikings collected just two hits in a 13run third frame, but banged out 10 hits in a 16-run fifth inning. John Bullard’s four hits included two homers and two triples. Randy Nance had five hits: a home run, two doubles and two singles. David Nance was 3 for 3 with a triple, Franklin Davis batted 2 for 2 with a first inning homer. Mike McCray entered the game in the fourth inning and led the team in RBIs with six. McCray had three hits in four at-bats, including a double. The outcome of the game made state news and even got some mention in national outlets. The question asked wasn’t how did they do that, but was, “Where the heck is Cerro Gordo?” Well, for one day in the spring of 1972, Cerro Gordo and West Columbus were the center of the baseball universe.
The News Reporter • West Columbus High School • 1965-2015 • Page 18
Hubert McCleney
MEMORIES Seated on the floor, left, Mary Ann Strickland Allgood poses with the other 15 state queens.
Queen Continued from page 11 a welcoming luncheon, post cards of historic places, hotels, furnishings, city skylines, the Harry Truman Library and Museum, sculptures, fountains and other places and objects. WCHS yearbooks are a testament that Mary Ann was a people person and well liked. She was involved in numerous clubs and activities, was a senior superlative and was described in the Who’s Who section as “versatile and excels in home economics.” It was her casual manner, natural smile and personality that won the Waccamaw Federation FFA pageant for her. I know; I was there and I was a judge. My first thought when she walked out was, “This is a Future Farmers pageant, and she’s the one who deserves the title.” While some of the other girls were very pretty, they didn’t display the casual at-
titude, easy-going personality and natural smile that Mary Ann did. When she walked across the stage, she could have been walking through the chicken yard to gather eggs, or making her way into the field to sucker tobacco. Her smile was real and it lasted the entire length of her walk, not just when she was looking at the judges. Judges at many other pageants she won apparently connected that farm girl to her natural beauty and winning personality, characteristics that Mary Ann is taking through life. She is a real estate agent and fosters orphan dogs. She has three grown children, Larry, Sadie and Ashley Jo, two granddaughters and a new grandson, Richard Paul Clingman, an 8-pound, 12-ounce, 21-inch baby.
“I had a lot of good memories from being in FBLA and office occupations, which was a block class that included two periods. That class with Faye Garland really prepared me for going to work in a business atmosphere. I had a great time in there — it was a fun class. “
David Pless in 1969.
Donna Carter Cartrette Class of 1977 Continued on page 15
“Hanging out in the library and sitting in the halls during lunch. Sitting in the halls was fun because you got to interact with the people you didn’t always have classes with — you got to cross paths with people you didn’t always associate with or normally see.” Amanda Bullock Leggett Class of 1998
The kitchen staff in the early 1970s included Ruth Williams, Estella Nance, Pauline Hughes, Mattie Tyler and Inez Martin.
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The News Reporter • West Columbus High School • 1965-2015 • Page 19
Rep. Ken Waddell in 1971 and today
Future Sen. Bill Rabon, left, as a member of the West Columbus High School junior varsity basketball team in 1967. Also pictured are Coach James West, center, and Assistant Coach Mitchel Tyler. Forty-three years after this photo was taken, Tyler would stand on the floor of the N.C. Senate with Rabon as he was sworn in as a member of the legislature. (WCHS yearbook photos courtesy of Judie and Bob Waddell)
Future Sen. Norman Sanderson is pictured as president of the Senior Class of 1969 at West Columbus High School in this photo from the school’s 1969 yearbook. The same year that Sanderson was senior class president at the Cerro Gordo school, the student body president was his future Senate colleague, Bill Rabon.
Sen. Bill Rabon in 1969 and today
Legislators Continued from page 4 as co-captain his sophomore year), was a member of the student council three years, served as class vice president his freshman and sophomore years and was a member of the Beta Club. A marshal his junior year, Rabon also received the Soil and Water Conservation award three years, and served on the assembly and building committees and on the yearbook staff. He won the National High School Award
of Excellence and was an alternate Morehead Scholarship nominee. He was named a Senior Superlative in 1969. Rabon attended N.C. State University. He matriculated to the University of Georgia School of Veterinary Medicine. Upon obtaining his DMV degree, he settled in Brunswick County, where he became the county’s first veterinarian. He operates Southport Animal Hospital and is a partner in
two other veterinary practices in Brunswick County with his only sibling, brother Jim, who lives in Whiteville. Rabon has an adult son, Will, and a granddaughter. Sanderson g rew up in Boardman, a son of the late Janice and Norman W. Sanderson Sr. He had six siblings, one of whom is deceased. He and his wife, Linda, have two adult
Continued on page 20
Sen. Norman Sanderson in 1969 and today
Congratulations West Columbus High School
on your 50th Anniversary
Ellis Meares & Son “Serving Columbus County For Over 100 Years”
(910) 649-7521 • 1151 Main St., Fair Bluff, NC
The News Reporter • West Columbus High School • 1965-2015 • Page 20
Legislators Continued from page 19
Jerry Lanier played baseball and football at WCHS
Ambassador Continued from page 10 so , he could continue to serve after reaching that milestone. He won’t speculate about the future. “Ambassadors serve at the pleasure of the president,” he says. However, he says the vast majority of ambassadorships are filled by career foreign service officers like him instead of by political appointees. Lanier himself is apolitical
and his first appointment at the State Department came during the administration of President Ronald Reagan. He has subsequently served in the administrations of Presidents George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Obama. Both Lanier and his wife like Africa and are happy to again be assigned to that
MEMORIES
continent. Although Lanier has been posted overseas for most of his 31-year career, he has been able to retur n home frequently. He estimates that he has returned for visits to Chadbourn at least twice a year throughout his career, and more often than that many years.
The fact we had strong, positive, black male teachers and administration at West Columbus was the best memory. Between Coach Powell, Bellamy, Campbell, Mr. Graham, Clemouth Brown — no matter whether you had their classes or not, they could see you in the hall and say, “Straighten up, Son,” and you did. Their presence brought a level of dignity and respect to the schools for students that look like me, and that really isn’t there today. Having teachers that I could look up to — some type of model or someone to go to meant the world. I’m trying to set that type of example for my own son and the next generation. Rashad Roberts, Class of 1992
children and three grandsons. While Sanderson’s wife is not a Columbus County native, she does have Columbus County roots. She is a granddaughter of the late Rep. Arthur Williamson. Sanderson attended N.C. State University for three years after high school, but did not graduate. About ten years ago, both he and his wife obtained bachelor’s degrees in Christian Education from Logos Christian College. The Sandersons live in Arapahoe, where they own and operate a day care business. They have two adult children, Jennifer and Norman III, and three grandsons. Besides being president of his senior class at West Columbus, Sanderson was a member of the Audio-Visual Club, Library Club and Future Farmers of America. He served as homeroom treasurer his sophomore year and homeroom vice president his junior year. He played baseball two years and was named a Senior Superlative.
MEMORIES “Miss Ethel Johnson was my best memory— my favorite teacher.” Rodney Ford Class of 1974
Future Rep. Ken Waddell is pictured swinging high in this photo from the “Who’s Who” section of the West Columbus High School 1971 yearbook
MEMORIES
“West Columbus ... the only school that had ‘smoke breaks.’”
Stacey Long Ezzell Class of 2001
Best Wishes To West Columbus
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on 50 Years of Education
The News Reporter • West Columbus High School • 1965-2015 • Page 21
In 1978, the Viking varsity football team won the Three Rivers Conference championship. Bottom row, coaching staff: Arnold Harwood, Baxter Morris, Jack Gaster, Jack Yates and Wayne Smith. Second row: Steve Hardin, Don Green, Gary Bullock, Robert Pennington, Joey Turbeville, James Martin, Mitch McCleney and Ervin Gamble. Third row: Anthony Jones, Michael Turbeville, Keith Williams, William Blake, John Martin, Bert Thomas and Andy Noble. Fourth row: Efrem Stephens, James Callihan, Keith White, Joey Ward, Kenny Bowen and Frank Pittman. Back row: Willis Mahoney, Berry Simmons, James Bellamy, Lloyd Royall, Dickie Edmund and Charlie Kissam. Missing were Donnell Nixon and Randy Miller.
Carvin Gerald in 1966
Year-by-year Continued from page 3 sistant principal provided the leadership for the school year. The graduating class was 169.
1982-83
Tommy Nance, principal, and Eugene Sturdivant assistant principal, led, the way for the year. Eugene Sturdivant resigned at the end of the year to accept the position of principal at Chadbourn Middle School. The graduating class was 160.
1983-84
Tommy Nance, Principal, welcomed Willie Graham as assistant principal to the staff. Willie Graham came to West Columbus after serving as principal at Cerro Gordo Elementary. The graduating class was 116.
1984-85
Tommy Nance, principal and Willie Graham, assistantprincipal, served as leaders for the year. The graduating class was 155.
1985-86
The Principal for the year was Tommy Nance, and Willie Graham was the assistant principal. The graduating class was 120.
1986-87
Tommy Nance was the principal for the year along with Willie Graham, assistant. The graduating class was 117.
1987-88
Principal Tommy Nance and assistant principal Willie Graham implemented the Sims Computer Program. This program enabled the school to keep accurate records of attendance and grades. This made the process of reports and data a lot easier to obtain. The graduating class was 112.
1988-89
Under the leadership of Tommy Nance, principal and Willie Graham, assistant principal, the ground work was laid for renovations. Additional space and upgrade was needed especially in the office areas. Space was increased by taking in part of the library and parts of classrooms. The guidance department was increased and a new business wing was added to the back of the library. In addition a new band facility was added to the end of the gymnasium. The graduating class was 149.
1989-90
Tommy Nance was promoted to the Central Office. Jerry Holden became principal, with Willie Graham, assistant principal. This year the school celebrated its 25th anniversary. This was a big success with former students returning and the community participating in the elaborate ceremonies that took place in the school gym. The graduating class was 148.
1990-91
Under the leadership of Jerry Holden, principal and Willie Graham, assistant principal, the parking lot for students has been paved, after several years of waiting. The graduating class was 151.
1991-92
The new renovations are complete with Jerry Holden, principal and Willie Graham, assistant principal. Mitchel Tyler resigned and Tommy Nance was appointed superintendent of Columbus County Schools. The graduating class was 148.
1992-93
Principal for the year was
Jerry Holden with Willie Graham, and George Dillard, assistant principals. Holden resigned at the end of the year to accept a position as principal with another school in the system. Dillard resigned to become principal of Cerro Gordo Elementary School. The graduating class was 141.
1993-94
Danny McPherson became the principal with Willie Graham and Sissy Long as assistant principals. McPherson implemented a Student Service Management Team. (SSMT) This was coordinated by math teacher Judy Waddell. This enabled the students to take advantage of extra tutoring. The program was in place for special days during the week and was scheduled for regular school time. The graduating class was 131.
1994-95
The school year began with Danny McPherson, principal with Willie Graham and Sissy Long as assistants. The Renaissance Program was implemented to help West Columbus reach an attitude of excellence. This program
challenged the students to obtain a higher standard of learning by giving them incentives West Columbus became a Renaissance School. This year the School adopted a 4x4 course of study. The graduating class was 141.
1995-96
Danny McPherson, principal, Willie Graham and Mrs. Sissy Long, assistant principals began, the new year. This year a student could graduate with 24 units. The State Board of Education adopted new guidelines. Beginning in 1998 all students must have 28 units for graduation. West Columbus Agriculture Department built their first house. The graduating class was 105.
1996-97
Dr. Danny McPherson was principal. Sissy Long and Willie Graham were the assistant principals. Graham will retire this year. With computers becoming more in demand, McPherson annexed one classroom not being used in the business building to be a computer lab. This room joins the
Continued on page 22
The News Reporter • West Columbus High School • 1965-2015 • Page 22
Students in 2001
Johnny Britt in 1969
MEMORIES
“Pierce Dalton’s morning announcements; lunch time, back when they cooked the food; Mrs. Hammonds’ biology class; National Beta Club trips to state conferences; Spanish class with Mrs. Adams; listening to David Pless, Mickey Nobles, and Phillip Honeycutt singing “Shall We Gather at the River” before going into their advanced biology class before a test; being in Greensboro and watching WCHS boys team win the state basketball championship! And the year the boys won the state baseball championship. Bob Waddell’s yell at the games! The proms, playing and watching sports, and best of all, the great teachers and fellow students.” John Blake, Class of 1973
Robert Waddell, pictured in 1969, would become a longtime fixture at WCHS.
Year-by-year Continued from page 21 library with an opening being made for it to become a part of the library. The library now has two computer labs. The graduating class was 125.
1997-98
Danny McPherson, principal, and Sissy Long, assistant principal were joined by David Lawrence, as an assistant principal. Plans are in the making for a new Arts Center. The graduating class was 106.
1998-99
A building program was begun under the leadership of Danny McPherson, principal, with Sissy Long and David Lawrence, as assistants. The building with the design on brick with interlocking circles represents the present, past, and future. The graduating class was 114.
1999-2000
Danny McPherson, principal along with Sissy Long and
David Lawrence as assistants, started the new year. In November, McPherson was promoted to the Central Office. Steve Clontz became the principal. The new arts center was dedicated in March of this year. West Columbus was host for Celebrate the Arts Program. The graduating class was 127.
2000-01
Steve Clontz, principal, along with Sissy Long and David Lawrence, assistant principals, led the school this year. All three would resign for other positions at the end of the year. Graduating class was 114.
2001-02
West Columbus be gins a new year with three new people. Worley Edwards, principal, Kathryn Faulk and Georgia Spaulding came as assistant
principals. Graduating class was 121.
2002-03
The year starts with Worley Edwards, principal Kathryn as assistant principal.
2006-07
Worley Edwards, principal, and Kathy Davis and Mark Brown assistant principals, were in charge of the school. Plans are in the making for West Columbus to add, in a separate facility, the alternative school for the western schools. Plans were put into place and rebuilding begun to have an area ready by the beginning of 2007-08 school year. Edwards resigns at the end of the school year. Graduating class was 110.
2007-08
Mark Brown stepped up as principal. His assistants were Kathy Davis and Jeff Greene. West Columbus was the host for Celebrate the Arts. The
Alternative Academy opened at the beginning of the school year. The school was awarded a SPARC grant from the N.C. Arts Council. This grant provided funds for a piece of public art to be placed on campus. The committee chose a sculptor, Brad Spencer, to do a piece in collaboration with West Columbus advanced art students. This piece emphasized the importance of education. The tree of knowledge and the puzzle represents the diversity, achievements peace, and nurturing that create our community The sculpture was named “A Mindful Journey”. Graduating class was 125.
assistants.
Mark Brown was principal for the year with Kathy Davis and Jeff Greene as assistants.
Jeff Greene was principal for the year with Michael Powell as assistant.
Mark Brown was principal for the year with Stephanie Packer and Jeff Greene as
Jeff Greene was principal for the year with Michael Powell as assistant.
2008-09
2009-10
2010-11
Jeff Greene was principal for the year with Stephanie Packer and William Wright as assistants.
2011-12
Jeff Greene was principal for the year with Stephanie Packer and Michael Powell as assistants.
2012-13
Jeff Greene was principal for the year with Amanda Leggett and Michael Powell as assistants.
2013-14
Jeff Greene was principal for the year with Amanda Leggett and Michael Powell as assistants.
2014-15
2015-16
The News Reporter • West Columbus High School • 1965-2015 • Page 23
Mrs. Blanks and her WCHS chorus leaders in 1971
MEMORIES “When Ryan Freeman and I won most popular. ..hands down best memory.” Tamitrius Faulk, Class of 1992
New school Continued from page 2 Other sites
Nance asked $25,000 for the tract that included three acres of tobacco that could be sold for up to $18,000. Other sites were offered by Arthur W. Williamson south of U.S. 76, three tracts in the Williamson Crossroads area by E.W. Williamson, another called the “Griffin” site, and one labeled the “Miller” land. Plus, Mrs. Alma Bullock offered land just east of Nance’s along U.S. 76. It was noted that 70 percent of students to attend the new school would live south of U.S. 76. Projected enrollment would be 719 in grades 9-12, compared to 643 in 1962. Chadbourn would send 283, with Fair Bluff contributing 138, Evergreen 162 and Cerro Gordo 136.
County policy
A study showed the 1970 enrollment would also be 719, with 307 from Chadbourn, 170 from Evergreen, 142 from Cerro Gordo and 100 from Fair Bluff. The Nance site was selected by the county education board on Monday, Jan. 14, 1963 – four days after the announcement of the board’s intentions. Protests were heard from Evergreen’s school patrons, led by Bobby Sanderson as the spokesman. Schley Waddell, speaking for Fair Bluff ’s interests, noted it was against county policy to purchase property from a county employee. Hugh Nance, the former sheriff, was
sought to stop the process. Nance met with the full board of seven members in April 1963. Present for this session were members Dr. Albert Cernugal of Chadbourn and Charles Council of Hallsboro. Both missed the previous meeting because of illness.
Jim Scott in 1971
Name chosen
Ed Walton Williamson WCHS Advisory Council
Lucian Stephens WCHS Advisory Council
the county’s Veterans’ Service officer. Paul Nance, speaking for Cerro Gordo’s patrons, was pleased. Sammy Koonce, the Chadbourn spokesman, and Dr. Glenn Yates of Chadbourn, supported the decision, and asked for harmony among the towns, and early construction.
Board Chairman Walter Hobbs declared he was “for” the Nance site if it could be purchased for $700 an acre. Nance, not at the meeting, was reached at home by telephone. The per-acre price was given to him, and he asked for time to talk to his wife about it, plus Nance said he and his wife planned to build a home on a 2.8-acre parcel at the highway intersection.
Two motions
School Board member H.G. Dameron made the motion to go along with the state’s recommendation and choose the Nance property. Percy Gore seconded Dameron’s motion. This action was countered with Lucian Stephens declaring for the “Martin” site near Williamson Crossroads, with Carl Stephens quickly seconding the motion.
Injunction threat
Nance was told the board needed an early decision, and Nance agreed to do it quickly. Another site of 30 acres at Powell’s Crossroads was offered by Woodrow Britt at a cost of $400 an acre. Some disgruntled patrons suggested if Nance’s site was selected there would be an injunction
The school board voted in May not to buy the additional 2.8 acres of Nance property, because the price had risen to $2,000 an acre. Nance said he felt $700 per acre was “too cheap.” The Nance site was finally accepted, and E.M. Griffin of Evergreen met with the board in May 1963, and asked the board to remove Fair Bluff and Evergreen from the consolidation movement. Griffin’s request was not honored by the board. We s t C o l u m b u s H i g h School was officially named on Feb. 3, 1964 by the county school board.
MEMORIES
“My favorite memory was when our band won the Yam Festival parade band competition.”
Amaris Roberts Class of 2015
MEMORIES “My most vivid memories of West Columbus revolve around band. I met many friends in band that I still talk to years later, and we had so much fun rehearsing, going to competitions, starting the Jazz Band, and, of course, getting new uniforms my senior year! Mr. Nickerson gives it his all, and he genuinely cares about his students — current and former.” Laura Blake Worthington Class of 1999
The News Reporter • West Columbus High School • 1965-2015 • Page 24