Reflections on PCHS Class of 1991

 

Pentagon Code and Mountain Dust: The Hidden Intellectual Vigor of a 1991 High School Yearbook

1. Introduction: The Weight of the "Warrior"

To handle the 1991 Pocahontas County High School (PCHS) Warrior is to engage with a heavy, tactile ghost. The textured cover has spent thirty years guarding the "ghosts of Dunmore," and when pried open, it releases a scent profile familiar to any archival researcher: aging ink, paper decay, and the fine, persistent dust of the Allegheny Mountains. The address printed inside—Route 1, Box 133A—evokes a profound sense of mid-century isolation, a place where the geography of West Virginia seems to insulate its residents from the frantic, globalized acceleration of the coming millennium.

Yet, as a cultural historian, one finds a startling paradox within these pages. While the school ostensibly operated at a "relaxed pace" characteristic of the mountains, the record reveals a student body that was secretly a powerhouse of technical sophistication. These students were not merely surviving their environment; they were dominating national environmental science competitions and mastering the elite programming languages utilized by the United States Department of Defense. It is a narrative of intense, calculated intention disguised as a rural "infinite trip."

2. The Existential Gravity of "Passin’ Time"

The "Passin' Time" philosophy was a defiant departure from the 1990s slacker stereotype. In the cultural zeitgeist of 1991, Gen X apathy was the prevailing currency—a world of grunge-fueled indifference and "whatever" shrugs. However, at PCHS, the phrase "Passin’ Time" carried a weight that was more existential than idle. The yearbook is saturated with the imagery of ticking clocks, pocket watches, and maritime voyages, suggesting a bittersweet, almost haunting acknowledgment that youth is a finite resource.

The student experience was defined by a specific duality: the school day felt like an "infinite trip," yet there was a collective realization that these moments were slipping away. This spiritual compass is articulated most clearly in the reflective poetry of Lindell Alderman, which reframes the high school experience not as a holding pen, but as a perilous, meaningful journey.

A Reflection on the Voyage: Fighting the Waves

A voyage through time an infinite trip Seeking a destination unknown A lifetime of work pushing the oar struggling to reach the port Mortals we are with faith in our dreams sailing our fragile craft Each hoping to bring the others aboard a little closer to our home — Lindell Alderman

3. Rural as a Synonym for Elite: The National Champions

In the mountains of 1991, the Vocational Agriculture (Vo-Ag) program established a standard of systemic dominance. Under the instruction of Mr. Bland and Mr. Burns, the FFA chapter dismantled the stereotype that rural education is synonymous with a lack of rigor. They didn't just compete; they operated at the apex of American technical science.

The data from the 1990 Forestry Contest is staggering. The team—Matthew Workman, Adam Jackson, Garrett Sisler, and John Rose—placed first in the nation. This was an absolute victory over every other program in the United States, with John Rose earning the distinction of 1st individual in the entire country. This excellence was no fluke; at the state judging contests in Morgantown, the chapter secured the "Sweepstakes" award, taking first in the state for Horticulture while simultaneously excelling in Plant Pathology and Poultry Judging. These were young scientists who had mastered the complexities of their land with world-class precision.

4. The Pentagon in the Mountains: A 1991 Tech Stack

The computer lab of Dr. Leary served as a bridge between mountain isolation and the mission-critical systems of the Department of Defense. At a time when the digital age was a distant rumor for many, the PCHS faculty operated on a sophisticated premise: "advancement in the business world largely depends upon the right start." They weren't teaching basic word processing; they were drilling students in the high-level logic required for the twenty-first century.

The 1991 "tech stack" at PCHS included:

• Comal
• Pascal
• BASIC
• ADA

The inclusion of ADA is the most revealing archival fragment. Created for the Department of Defense, ADA was mandated for massive, mission-critical systems where reliability was a matter of national security. By teaching this specific language in a Dunmore classroom, Dr. Leary was elevating the stakes of the curriculum. He was ensuring that these mountain students were learning the same structural logic used to run the Pentagon, refusing to let Route 1, Box 133A limit their global potential.

5. Finding Value in 0-10: A Lesson in Sociological Grit

The 1990 football season provides a poignant counter-narrative to modern "trophy culture." Under Coaches Delmas Barb and Jerry Buzzard, the Warriors navigated a grueling, winless 0-10 record. From a sociological perspective, the impact of such a season on a small mountain community could have been fracturing. Instead, the record reveals a community that prioritized the "team effort" over the scoreboard.

The archive notes that Coaches Barb and Buzzard focused on maintaining "high standards" and keeping spirits up despite the relentless losses. Senior Richard Lane, who led the team in rushing yards and touchdowns, becomes a metaphor for the class's resilience—fighting for every inch in the face of inevitable defeat. For the Class of '91, the value of the voyage was found in the communal struggle, proving that grit is often forged more effectively in a winless season than in an easy victory.

6. New Traditions and Growing Pains: The Birth of Volleyball

The introduction of Girls’ Volleyball marked a percussive cultural shift in the PCHS gymnasium. This was a "new sport," a departure from the established rhythms of mountain athletics. Under the leadership of Mrs. Ruth Bland, the inaugural team embraced the beauty of "growing pains" with a raw, infectious enthusiasm.

The 2-29 record is secondary to the atmosphere the archives describe. One can almost hear the staccato slap of the ball against palms, the sharp squeak of sneakers on the hardwood, and the echoing whistles in the high-raftered gym as a new tradition took root. These players weren't deterred by the steep learning curve; they reported simply "enjoying the new sport," a testament to a student body that was as interested in starting new, difficult journeys as they were in perfecting old ones.

7. Conclusion: Building the Twenty-First Century

The legacy of the Class of 1991 is not one of passive "passin' time," but of active, intentional construction. This is seen most literally in the carpentry classes of Joey Vandevender and Donald Currence. These students were "Hard at Work" building a physical house on-site and constructing the roof for the Marlinton Elementary School entrance. They were the literal architects of their community’s infrastructure.

When we synthesize the national forestry trophies, the ADA code, and the winless but spirited seasons, it becomes clear that these students were building the twenty-first century with their hands and minds long before the calendar turned. They balanced an elite technical ambition with a grounded, clear-eyed appreciation for the fleeting moments of their youth.

As we close this volume, we are left with the question that still echoes through the halls of the old Dunmore school: "If we looked at our own lives through the lens of 'Passin' Time,' would we be as intentional as the Class of '91 was in capturing the fleeting moments of our own journey?"

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Reflections on PCHS Class of 1991: Technical Excellence and Existential Intentionality

Executive Summary

The 1991 archives of Pocahontas County High School (PCHS) in Dunmore, West Virginia, reveal a student body operating at a unique intersection of rural tradition and forward-looking technical sophistication. While the year’s theme, "Passin’ Time," suggested a relaxed or even idle atmosphere, the reality was one of intense academic and vocational rigor. PCHS achieved national dominance in environmental sciences, out-competing every other program in the United States in forestry, while simultaneously teaching elite Department of Defense-grade computer programming languages. Even in areas of struggle, such as a winless football season and a difficult inaugural volleyball year, the records emphasize a culture of grit, community support, and the intrinsic value of the "voyage" over the final score.

The Philosophy of "Passin’ Time"

Despite the initial impression of the theme as a "slacker’s mantra," the Class of 1991 approached the concept with existential gravity. The yearbook utilized recurring metaphors of clocks, pocket watches, and maritime voyages to frame the high school experience.

• The Paradox of Time: The document notes a duality in student life. While the school day was often perceived as an "infinite trip," the student body simultaneously recognized these moments as fleeting, as evidenced by high-energy headlines like "TIME OF YOUR LIFE!"
• Literary Influence: The poetry of Lindell Alderman served as the "spiritual compass" for the year. His work, specifically "A Reflection on the Voyage," characterized life as a fragile craft navigating unknown destinations, emphasizing the importance of faith and collective effort.

National Excellence in Vocational Agriculture (Vo-Ag)

A defining characteristic of the 1990-91 academic year was the absolute dominance of the PCHS FFA chapter. Under instructors Mr. Bland and Mr. Burns, the program demonstrated that geographical isolation was no barrier to elite-level achievement.

1990 Forestry Contest Success

The PCHS team achieved a first-place national ranking, out-competing all other programs in the United States.

Team Member	Recognition
John Rose	1st Individual in the Nation
Matthew Workman	National Champion Team Member
Adam Jackson	National Champion Team Member
Garrett Sisler	National Champion Team Member

State-Level Dominance

At the West Virginia State FFA judging contests in Morgantown, the chapter won the "Sweepstakes" award for across-the-board excellence, which included:

• Horticulture: 1st in State.
• Plant Pathology: High-ranking performance.
• Poultry Judging: High-ranking performance.

Advanced Computing at the Dawn of the Digital Age

Under the direction of Dr. Leary, the PCHS computer lab provided a curriculum that far exceeded basic digital literacy. The school operated on the belief that "advancement in the business world largely depends upon the right start."

The 1991 Tech Stack:

• Comal
• Pascal
• BASIC
• ADA: Most notably, the school taught ADA, a high-level language mandated by the Department of Defense for mission-critical systems. The inclusion of ADA indicates a faculty dedicated to preparing students for global, high-stakes technical environments from within a rural setting.

Athletics: A Study in Resilience and Growth

The 1990-91 sports seasons were characterized by significant challenges on the scoreboard, yet the archival records prioritize character and the introduction of new traditions over win-loss records.

The 0-10 Football Season

Despite a winless record under new coaches Delmas Barb and Jerry Buzzard, the community and team maintained high standards of spirit.

• Leadership: Senior Richard Lane led the team in touchdowns and rushing yards.
• Community Values: The record emphasizes that the "team effort was appreciated," shifting the focus from the destination (winning) to the struggle of the voyage.

The Birth of Warrior Volleyball

The school year saw the introduction of Girls' Volleyball as a "new sport," coached by Mrs. Ruth Bland.

• Inaugural Season: The Varsity team finished 2-29.
• Cultural Shift: The archives focus on the "enthusiasm" and the "growing pains" of the new program, marking it as a milestone of expansion and a willingness to embrace the unknown.

Vocational Construction and Physical Legacy

The Class of 1991 also engaged in literal "building" of their community. Students in carpentry classes, such as Joey Vandevender and Donald Currence, applied their skills to significant local infrastructure projects.

• On-site Construction: Students built a house as part of their curriculum.
• Marlinton Elementary: The carpentry class was responsible for constructing the roof over the elementary school’s entrance.

Conclusion: The Legacy of Intentionality

The PCHS Class of 1991 serves as a rebuttal to the idea of the "simpler time." Their records depict a group of "Warriors" who were active builders of their reality—whether through mastering the language of the Pentagon, dominating national agricultural sciences, or maintaining grit during a winless sports season. The "Passin' Time" philosophy was not about idleness, but about the intentional capture of fleeting moments within a rigorous and ambitious journey toward the twenty-first century.