Notable Events and Achievements at Pocahontas County High School

 

Notable Events and Achievements at Pocahontas County High School

The sources, primarily consisting of yearbook excerpts spanning several decades, offer a glimpse into the notable events and achievements that shaped the history of Pocahontas County High School. These events highlight the school's evolution, its academic and extracurricular successes, and its engagement with the local community.

Academic Recognition and Achievements:

• National Merit Scholarship Winners: The sources reveal that PCHS students consistently achieved recognition in the National Merit Scholarship Program. In 1974, Mike Smith and Shiffie Land were honored in the competition, with Land being chosen as a finalist. This recognition speaks to the academic rigor and the high-achieving students at PCHS.

• Klassroom Kwiz Champions: The PCHS "Klassroom Kwiz" team achieved a historic victory in 1978, becoming the only West Virginia team to secure seven consecutive wins on the televised academic quiz show. This remarkable feat, with team members Greg Friel, Ed Bauman, and Rocky Lannan, brought significant recognition to the school and highlighted the academic prowess of its students.

• Speech Contest Success: PCHS students consistently excelled in speech contests, further demonstrating the school's commitment to fostering communication and public speaking skills. While the specific contests are not always named, the sources indicate that students regularly participated and achieved success at local and regional levels.

Athletic Triumphs and School Spirit:

• Championship Track and Field Teams: The PCHS track and field program experienced notable success during the late 1970s, with the 1977-78 Boys' Track team being hailed as one of the best in the school's history. Led by coaches Elmo Friel and Arch Wooddell, the team broke school and regional records, with athletes like Keith Pondexter and William Dilley qualifying for the state Class AA track meet.

• Record-Breaking Basketball Player: In the late 1980s, Jason Armstrong, a basketball player at PCHS, etched his name in the school's record books by breaking the career scoring record with 1,155 points. This accomplishment, surpassing the previous record of 1,119 points, solidified his status as a standout athlete in PCHS history.

• School Spirit and Traditions: The yearbook excerpts are replete with examples of school spirit and traditions that contributed to a vibrant student life. Events like Homecoming, Sadie Hawkins Day, and Spirit Week fostered a sense of community and provided opportunities for students to showcase their creativity and enthusiasm. The senior class's three-year winning streak in Spirit Week, through their creative costumes and class-wide participation, exemplifies the strong sense of camaraderie among students.

Community Engagement and Social Responsibility:

• Vocational Programs Serving the Community: PCHS's vocational programs played a significant role in connecting students with the local community. The Electricity and Carpentry classes, for instance, applied their skills to projects that directly benefited Pocahontas County residents. These initiatives highlight the school's commitment to providing students with practical experience while simultaneously contributing to the well-being of the community.

• Conservation Club's Environmental Stewardship: The Conservation Club at PCHS demonstrated a strong commitment to environmental responsibility. Their efforts to develop a comprehensive soil conservation plan for the school property, as described in the 1978 yearbook, underscore the school's dedication to promoting environmental awareness and stewardship among its students.

• Student-Led Fundraising for Social Causes: The sources illustrate how student organizations at PCHS actively engaged in fundraising activities to support important social causes. The basketball game organized by male teachers and senior boys to raise funds for the English Exchange Program exemplifies this commitment to fostering cross-cultural understanding and global citizenship.

School Expansion and Facility Improvements:

• New Building Construction: The sources document the school's physical expansion during the late 1970s and early 1980s, reflecting its growth and the evolving needs of the student body. The construction of a new building to accommodate the Forestry, Carpentry, and Distributive Education classes, started in 1974 and completed in 1980, highlights a significant investment in vocational programs.

• Addition to Vocational Building: The expansion continued with a new wing added to the vocational building in 1977, further accommodating the growing student interest in vocational training. This addition provided space for the Nurse's Aid and Drafting classes, demonstrating the school's responsiveness to the changing job market and the career aspirations of its students.

These notable events and achievements, as gleaned from the yearbook excerpts, provide a glimpse into the rich history of Pocahontas County High School. They reveal a school that valued academic excellence, fostered school spirit and community engagement, and continuously adapted to meet the evolving needs of its students and the broader community.