PCHS 1991

 

Time Capsules and Small-Town Grit: 4 Surprising Lessons from the PCHS Class of 1991

A high school yearbook is more than a mere collection of names and faces; it is a meticulously preserved time capsule, capturing a community at the dawn of a new decade. To turn the pages of the 1991 Pocahontas County High School Warrior is to step into a world of grainy black-and-white photography, bold block lettering, and the unmistakable texture of 1990s rural life—where acid-washed jeans and gravity-defying hairstyles were the uniform of the day.

Looking back at these records, we find the "Warriors" of PCHS standing on the precipice of the future. A central question emerges from the ink: What can we learn about resilience and ambition from these students navigating the transition from childhood to the unknown? The lessons, it turns out, are found in the mud of the gridiron, the wind of the track, and the eccentric dreams of a graduating class.

The Honor of a 0-10 Season

In the high-stakes world of sports history, winless seasons are often relegated to footnotes. Yet, the 1990 PCHS football season offers a masterclass in the value of character over the final score. The photography in the "Time Out!" section captures the grit: night games played on scuffed turf, jerseys darkened by mud, and the visible intensity of young men refusing to yield.

Under the guidance of Head Coach Delmas Barb and coaches Jerry Buzzard and Larry Armstrong, the team faced a gauntlet of shutouts, including a 38-0 loss to Petersburg. But they also fought through grueling, close-fought battles, such as the 18-6 struggle against Tygarts Valley. The yearbook avoids the path of cynicism, instead highlighting the internal leadership of the squad. One candid shot shows junior Mike Thomas kneeling, watching intently as teammates Billy Vandevender, Scott Garber, Joey Gragg, and Lee Worley huddle to discuss the game plan.

Despite the individual heroics of senior Richard Lane—who led in touchdowns and rushing yards—and the tenacity of players like Shawn Bosley and Mark King, the wins never came. However, the Warrior staff recorded the season with a poignant dignity:

"The year ended with a disappointing 0-10 record, but, even though their season wasn't highly successful, their team effort was appreciated."

The lesson here is profound: a "team effort" and the maintenance of "high standards" possess a value that a scoreboard simply cannot quantify.

Breaking the Clock: When "Every Second Counts"

The grit of the football field was matched by a sudden, explosive dominance on the track. In a climate where the first meet of the year was traditionally snowed out, the 1991 season saw the Warriors finally "running like the wind" under clear skies. The contrast between the winless football season and the record-shattering track season serves as a reminder that every student body contains hidden reservoirs of excellence.

The "Every Second Counts!" section details a relentless pursuit of the clock. In a single season, the Warriors didn't just compete; they rewrote history:

• Cameron Barkley: Demonstrated incredible endurance by setting school records in the 3200-meter run (10:21.9) and the 1600-meter run (4:35.3).
• Laura Hefner: Proved that mastery is an ongoing process, breaking her own previous record in the 800-meter run with a time of 2:32.
• The Relay Teams: The boys and girls squads showcased collective speed, qualifying for State-level competition in the 4x800, 4x400, and 4x200 relays.

Setting these records required a drive that ignored the wind and the weight of past seasons, illustrating the true "Warrior Spirit"—the refusal to be defined by anything other than one’s own best time.

A Gallery of Dreams: The Absurdity of 10-Year Predictions

Perhaps the most humanizing element of the 1991 time capsule is the "Fast Chek: A Look to the Future" section. Here, students were asked to predict their lives in the year 2001. The results are a delightful mix of rural pride and surrealist humor, revealing a class that was unafraid to be eccentric.

Rather than standard corporate aspirations, the Class of '91 leaned into the bizarre:

• Alisha Jesselli saw herself "enjoying life in a straightjacket with her many heavily sedated buddies."
• Mark Mospan aimed for the thrill of the chase as a "World Superbike Champion," riding "as fast as possible."
• Joey Bussard embraced his mountain roots, predicting he would be "living in the mountains of West Virginia, killing deer."
• Richard Barb kept it grounded in the local landscape, imagining a future as a "grease monkey at B.J.’s Garage."

This "Gallery of Dreams" suggests a graduating class that possessed the confidence to be themselves—whether that meant aiming for NASA, like Bill Carpenter, or joking about life in a nuthouse. They were comfortable in their own skin, a trait that is perhaps the greatest marker of a successful education.

Unscripted History: Lessons Outside the Classroom

As a historian, I find that the most telling moments of a school’s life are the "unscripted" ones—the times when the official schedule breaks down. The 1991 yearbook captures this beautifully in the "People" section. We see Mr. Rexrode’s American History class forced to move their entire session outdoors because the heat in the building had become unbearable. Images of P.J. Shafer, Amy Widney, Sharon Moore, and Mel Anderson working hard on the grass remind us that learning is a lived experience, not just a desk-bound one.

These moments of levity extended to the freshman picnic, where the mundane turned into the memorable. When Jennifer Young decided to show off her karate moves, the yearbook captured Scott Reigel’s classic, small-town reaction: "I’m not messing with her!"

Even as they celebrated these candid moments, the class remained academically formidable. At the top of the ranks stood Valedictorian Matthew McKean and Salutatorians Bill Carpenter and Michelle Warner—students who balanced the fun of the freshman picnic with the "pride of achievement" mentioned in their graduation program. As the class prepared to depart, the program summed up their collective optimism:

"With pride of achievement we stride toward the future. Filled with optimism and secure in the confidence that we will attain success and happiness in life's fulfillment."

A Final Thought to Ponder

The Class of 1991's journey was a study in balance. They knew how to handle the "0-10 seasons" of life with dignity and how to push through the wind to set records on the track. They were serious enough to produce top-tier scholars and humorous enough to predict futures involving straightjackets and motorcycles.

As we look back at their 10-year predictions and their moments of unscripted grit, we might ask ourselves: How did our own "10-year predictions" compare to the reality of our lives a decade later? More importantly, what did our own winless seasons teach us about the value of the effort itself? Success, as the PCHS Warriors of 1991 remind us, isn't always found in the winning—it’s found in the "Warrior Spirit" required to keep trying.

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Comprehensive Briefing: Pocahontas County High School 1991 "Warrior" Yearbook Analysis

Executive Summary

This briefing document synthesizes the academic, athletic, and social records of Pocahontas County High School (PCHS) for the 1990–1991 academic year, as documented in Volume #21 of the Warrior. The Class of 1991 is characterized by a high level of engagement across diverse student organizations and a resilient spirit in the face of athletic challenges. Key highlights include significant school records set by the track team, a rigorous schedule for the "Warrior Band," and a commitment to community service through various clubs. Despite a difficult 0–10 football season, the student body maintained a focus on "pride of achievement" as they transitioned toward graduation on May 31, 1991.

Academic Life and Leadership

The academic environment at PCHS in 1991 balanced traditional classroom instruction with flexible learning approaches. A notable instance involved Mr. Rexrode’s American History class, which moved outdoors to escape excessive indoor heat, with students such as P.J. Shafer, Amy Widney, and Mel Anderson continuing their work in the fresh air.

Graduation and Honors

The Class of 1991 concluded their high school careers with a formal ceremony at the High School Gymnasium.

• Motto: "With pride of achievement we stride toward the future. Filled with optimism and secure in the confidence that we will attain success and happiness in life's fulfillment."
• Valedictorian: Matthew McKean.
• Salutatorians: Bill Carpenter and Michelle Warner.
• Honor Graduates: Included Juli Beckwith, Jody Morgan, Cindi Burke, Harriet Holley, Matthew McKean, Heather McGee, Jennifer Blankenship, John Rose, Bill Carpenter, Michelle Warner, and Kelley Gordon.

Athletic Performance and Records

The 1990–1991 sports season saw a stark contrast between the rebuilding efforts of the football program and the record-breaking success of the track and field athletes.

Football

The 1990 season was led by two new coaches: Head Coach Delmas Barb and Assistant Coach Jerry Buzzard. Despite a "disappointing" 0–10 record, the team was noted for its persistent effort and high standards.

Opponent	Score (Opponent-PCHS)
Petersburg	38-0
Union	39-0
Greenbrier West	47-8
Notre Dame	42-0
West Preston	7-7 (Tie indicated in graphic)
Richwood	36-19
Hinton	36-14
Webster County	26-0
Tygarts Valley	40-6
Independence	18-8

Key Contributors:

• Richard Lane (Senior): Led the team in touchdowns and rushing yards.
• Supporting Players: Shawn Bosley (Sophomore), Mark King (Junior), and Damian Elliot.

Track and Field

The 1991 track team was highly successful, with several athletes qualifying for state-level competition and breaking school records.

• Cameron Barkley: Set school records in the 3200m (10:21.9) and 1600m (4:35.3).
• Laura Hefner: Broke her own record in the 800m with a time of 2:32.
• Team Achievements: The girls' team broke meet records at the Independence Meet and earned a second-place trophy.
• State Qualifiers: Included teams for the 4x800, 4x400, and 4x200 relays.

Girls' Basketball

• Teresa Mick: A standout senior performer who scored 232 points during the 1990 season.

Student Organizations and Extracurricular Activities

The student body was highly active in career-oriented and service-based organizations, categorized by their primary mission.

Vocational and Career Development

• FHA (Future Homemakers of America): Included members like Mandy Barb and Lynn Dean.
• VICA: A large organization featuring students such as Clinton Mick and Chris Coy.
• FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America): Led by students including Jennifer Sutton and Donna Morrison.
• Leo Club: A service club featuring Shawn Cain and Tim Coughlin.

Academic and Honor Societies

• National Honor Society (NHS): Advised by Mrs. Flegal; members included Ben Ziegler and Matthew McKean.
• French Honor Society: Featured Melissa Grimes and Lindell Alderman.
• Spanish Club: Included Kim Farmer and Kristy Dilley.
• Science Club: Featured Amy Burkes and Robin Burgess.

Service and Support Groups

• Conservation Club: Focused on environmental stewardship; members included Dana Blankenship and Brian Friel.
• Natural Helpers: A peer-support group including Crystal Morgan and Tina Palmer.
• SADD (Students Against Driving Drunk): A large advocacy group featuring Hollie McDaniels and Kristi Miller.
• Interact: A service club with members like Mandy Barb and Vanessa McLaughlin.

Performing Arts: "Sounds of the Time"

The music department maintained a rigorous schedule of performances and competitions throughout the year.

The Warrior Band

Under the direction of Drum Major Lori Martin, the band engaged in several high-profile events:

• Band Camp: Held August 12–16 at the 4-H Camp in Thornwood.
• Competitions:
  • Treasure Mountain Festival (Franklin): Second place in the parade competition.
  • Mountain State Forest Festival (Elkins): Fourth place in the field competition; second place in the parade.
• Ratings: The band received "very successful" ratings at the annual band ratings in Buchannon in April.
• Auxiliary: Included the PCHS Flag Corps (led by Cara Adams) and Majorettes (led by Kristi Miller).

Choir

The PCHS Choir performed for the student body during the annual Christmas Concert. Notable members included Tammy Butler, Donna Watson, and April Wanless.

Historical Reflections and Future Outlook

The yearbook included a humorous and speculative section titled "Fast Chek: A Look to the Future," predicting where members of the Class of 1991 would be in 2001.

• Richard Lane: Predicted to be a welder at a big company.
• Matthew McKean: Predicted to be finishing a doctorate in chemical engineering.
• Jody Morgan: Predicted to be a skiier at Snowshoe.
• Cameron Barkley: Predicted to be a "World Superbike Champion."
• Heather McGee: Predicted to be an engineer trying to "save the Earth" while living in Seattle.

Yearbook Production Credits

The 1991 Warrior (Volume #21) was produced by a dedicated student staff:

• Editor/Photographer: Jody Morgan.
• Yearbook Advisor: Mrs. Teresa Rhea.
• Photography Advisor: Ms. Retta Blankenship.
• Layout Editor: Kelley Gordon.
• Copy Editor: Jennifer Terry.