EBHS1977

So kids did vote on the colors, name of school, and mascot? From my understanding, that never happened and that itt was a David Burleson & Friends (Burke Co. School Board) decision.

 

The school board decided on the names

Draughn and Patton, even though I feel most of the public in those school districts didn't want the schools named after a person.

Supposely, the students voted on the mascot and colors.

 

I was working at The News Herald when the names of the schools were being tossed around. If Im not mistaken, David Burleson & Friends made the decision on the names citing they didnt want a directional or location name (I.E. - East Burke, Burke Central - one proposed name for Draughn, Morganton High - a proposed name for Patton, etc.). I also remember that we ran a story where the students of Liberty & Heritage middle schools petitioned local leaders to name the new schools of Liberty High and Heritage High. Of course, their petition fell on deaf ears.

As far as the colors and mascots, I wouldnt be surprised if David's Gang made that decision too. Seems the kids of Burke County can't enjoy their own schools by having a part in the decision of the colors, mascot, and names. Besides, are there any students know who R.L. Patton and Jimmy C. Draughn are?

 

A bit of trivia here.....

When they got students to vote in the early 70's on the name of the new high school in the western end of the county, did you know that the #2 vote getter was SMOG High School? The name 'Freedom' didn't win out by much. But since the school is in Carbon City and the 4 high schools that were going into it were Salem, Morganton, Oak Hill and Glen Alpine, the name SMOG almost won.

 

Oh man, I can just hear my buddy Brad Kendall on the PA at the basketball games..."Just another example of SMOG excellence!"

Fred, thanks for the interesting bit of trivia.

 

Can you imagine Rev MacIntosh over the PA at football games saying... "here at beautiful SMOG High School on the banks of the magestic Catawba River...."

 

Dan....I think if that had happened....Reverend Mac, on youth football night, would have introduced the kids as "Future Smokers! Future Smokers!

To everyone else, that's an inside joke with me and Big Dan.

 

I don't think Valdese would be the only one to fit that description. You could add any high schools like Hildebran, Drexel, George Hildebran and so on.

I'm sure people from Salem, Glen Alpine, etc... felt the same way when FHS opened.

People in Burke Co. should try to look into going to school or living in a big area like those in Charlotte, Raleigh/Durham, and the Triad. Now talk about not feeling like a community school......

It's hard to feel that way when the kid that lives 2 houses down goes to another high school. Imagine school/community pride in those places!