(ED. NOTE: Rainey Haigler,
Kings Mountain High cor-
respondent for the Herald
during the 1983-84 school
year, kept a year-by-year
history of the KMHS Class of
1984 as she progressed
through her 12 years of
public schooling. Her class
history is printed in today’s
edition of the Herald.)
Our research began on an
August day of 1972 in a small-
sized southern town, Kings
Mountain, North Carolina. It
was just like any other clear
August day for the merchants of
Kings Mountain, but for the
mothers of Ann, David, Lisa,
Michael, and all the other six-
year-olds, it was a day of excite-
ment, fear, happiness, tears, and
adventure. Yes, that day was far
from any ordinary day for these
little people because they were
embarking on the experience of
their first day of school. With
shining faces and dirty ears, they
were escorted, dragged, and
pushed to the grammar schools
of Bethware, East, Grover,
North, and West with 316
students . attending the first
grade.
After having made their first
contact with the new realm
known as school, many were
eager for more, while the
thought of going back terrified
others! With all the normal reac-
tions of first graders, the year of
1972-1973 went by with most
mothers and fathers finding a
couple of gray hairs at the end of
the school year.
In 1974, the people of this
community started planning for
the Kings Mountain Centennial
Celebration. A play was
presented October 14 at John
Gamble Stadium entitled, “Look
To The Mountain.” The follow-
ing students took part: Caroline
Harper, Holly Dellinger, Laura
Duncan, Cindy Adams, and
Rainey Haigler. The Kings
Mountain Centennial Celebra-
tion had a Children’s Day
Parade which featured all Kings
Mountain children, ages pre-
school through sixth graders.
The children celebrated in grand
style with decorated bikes and
costumes commemorating the ci-
ty’s one hundredth birthday.
Tracy Scism won first prize for
best costume, and Pat Davis
won second prize.
1975...1977. Fifth graders
already? Where had the time
flown? Of course, they thought
they were the “big dogs” to find
out later they were not. May
came with each grammar school
having a May Day Program
under the direction of their
music teacher, Mrs. Shirley
Austin. Each elementary school
in the community participated
with dancing around the
Maypole.
Election was held and on May
2, 1977 East School elected Pat
Davis, May Queen; Paula
Greene, Maid-of-Honor; Beth
Lindberry and Tina Lindermen,
fifth grade attendants. On May
5, 1977, North School held their
May Day with Rainey Haigler,
May Queen; Terry Welch, Maid-
of-Honor; Gail Stamey, Carla
Adams, and Jill Plonk, fifth
grade attendants. On May 10,
1977, West School held their
May Day with Pam Morrow,
May Queen; Deda Smith, Maid-
of-Honor; Debbie Whtestine and
Melissa Morrison, fifth grade at-
tendants. Bethware held their
May Day on May 12, 1977, Lisa
Wright, May Queen; Dana
Blalock, Maid-of-Honor; and
Marisa Dixon and Leslie
Thomasson, fifth grade atten-
dants. Grover held their May
Day on May 27, 1977, Toni
Camp, May Queen; Jada Ellis,
Maid-of-Honor; and fifth grade
attendants, Tammy Van Dyke
and Sonya McClain. To finish
the year, each school held a field
day event with all the students
participating and many winning
prizes.
The end of the school year
came, and Central School was
given some fleeting glances as
these fifth graders rode by think-
ing about the coming August,
1977, when 329 sixth graders
entered Central School. Every-
Page 2B-KINGS MOUNTAIN HERALD-Thursday. May 31, 1984
day after lunch they would rush
out on campus to get in a few
games of jacks. Boys were
becoming a greater impact in
girls’ lives.
A hat contest was held on
February 14, 1978, with each
homeroom. having a winner:
Jamie Black,” Holly Dellinger,
Dwayne Williams, Cynthia
Wright, Dana Blalock, Jerry
Camp, Robert Gehring, Caroline
Harper, Tomi Camp, Pat Davis,
and Cindy Greene winners. Dur-
ing this year Angel Allen, Holly
Dellinger, Mary Starnes, and
Angela Lyon won the talent
show. £3
As leaders of Central School
in August of 1978, they set out
to publish a school newspaper,
The Central School Rap.
Editor was Becky Bolt; Mary
Starnes, Copy Editor; - Dawn
Morris, Layout. Editor; Jeff
Barnette, Picture Editor; Wendy
Smith, Business Editor.
Reporters included Curtis
Pressley, Kim Hawkins, Denise
Edwards, Cindy Adams, Todd
Cloninger, and Quinton Rikard.
Christmas Dance was held with
Keith Bell crowned as the king
and Jada Elis crowned as the
queen. 2% ; ;
Two one-act plays were ‘put
on at Central on April 6, 1979,
under the direction of Cary
Osborn and Carol Parker. “The
Dear Departed” featured Jerry
Laws playing the part of Mr. Jor-
dan and Guy: Stpes as Abel. “The
King Who: Hated Birthdays”
starred Todd Gossett vas the
Prime Ministet and David
Parker as the Palace Guard.
Easter came with an egg
decorating contest in ‘which
Caroline’ Harper, Tracy Bolin,
Norma Davis, and Tina Brown
were winners. The talent show
winners ‘from this class were
Amy Mayes, Denise Edwards,
Sonya McClain, Spring Young,
Tammy Van Dyke, and Sandy
Wells. Tammy and Sandy went
on to win the Division IV of the
Kiwanis Talent Show. The
wrestling team won- the con-
ference with a 9-0 record led by
Roger McClain, Todd Clon-
inger, Dale Nfoore, and David
Parker. Finally, the year ended
with a Disco Dance with Todd
Cloninger and Charlene Gamble
winning the dance contest. The
group had made their imprint on
Central with notable emphasis.
Even Donald Deal and Chris
Cole had high hepes for their
seventh grade band.
Kings Mountain Junior
High 1979...with high heads and
prides swelling, they set out to
conquer junior high school, only
to find that the ninth graders
had other ideas! The Kings
Mountam Junior Patriots finish-
ed the conference seéason in first
place in football, led by Curtis
Pressley, Arnold Jordan,
Thomas Putnam, Jeff Chapman,
Todd Cloninger, Dale Moore,
Calvin Goode, Tyronne Grier,
James Ellison, Randy Whitaker,
and Zach Roseboro.
Cheerleaders that cheered them
on to victory were Angel Allen,
Becky Bolt, Holly Dellinger,
Laura Wright, Angela Lyon,
Lisa Austin, Spring Young,
Leslie Thomasson, Wendy
Smith, Lee Ann Lineberger, Kim
Hawkins, and Rainey Haigler.
Eighth grade chorus did very
well under the direction of Doris
Jenkins. The eighth grade band
performed twice that year, once
for ‘a Christmas ‘Concert and a
Spring Concert under the direc-
tion of Donald Deal.
The sun shone bright when
the “seniors,” or ninth graders
appeared on the scene in August,
1980. Their first work of the
year came with the choice of
cheerleaders. Cheerleaders for
the 1980-1981 school year were
Kim Hawkins, Lisa Austin, Tina
Brown, Angela Lyon, Leslie
Thomasson, Barbara Gass, Spr-
ing Young, Angel Allen, Laura
Wright, Holly Dellinger, Lee
Ann Lineberger, Rainey Haigler,
and Chris Parton. Becky Bolt
was their Mascot. The football
team had a great year with one
tie and the rest wins to capture
the conference. Touchdowns
were made by Zach Roseboro,
Curtis Pressley, Arnold Jordan,
Thomas Putnam, Calvin Goode,
Rainey Haigler
and Todd Cloninger. The band
played at the home football
games.
Editor of their school
newspaper, The Hydrant, was
Denise Greene with the help of
Amy Mayes, Susie Biggers, Deia
Parker, Joy Queen, Dana
Blalock, Kim Hawkins, Lisa
Austin, and Teresa Grigg. One
of their publications was honor-
ing Gary Shields, Assistant Prin-
cipal, who left to be a principal
in Franklin, North Carolina.
This was a very sad day for all
- ninth graders because Mr.
‘Shields was a friend to every stu-
dent.
April 3, 1981, was another
very sad day at Kings Mountain
Junior High School because of
the death of two classmates who
were burned in a fire. Rod Lewis
and: Jeff Wood will never be
forgotten. Trees were planed on
campus in memory of these
students by the class of 1984.
The basketball, baseball, ten-
nis, golf, and track teams did
well. In track, Spring Young was
undefeated in the 50 and 100
meter dashes during the entire
season. The ninth grade band
under the direction of Chris Cole
went to State Band contest and
won a superior rating. The ninth
grade chorus did an outstanding
job under the direction of Doris
Jenkins.
Awards Day finally came and
these students left behind the
school song, “A school that leads
and guides us true, A school that
is so dear, our school, Kings
Mountain Junior High, we give
our praise to you. Kings Moun- -
tain Junior High, we give our
praise to you. Kings MOuntain
Junior High we love, the school
with pride and joy. Kings Moun-
tain Junior High we sing, forever
we'll be true. Our colors are so
bright and gay, this song we sing
today ‘cause with a smile we goa
mile, True Patriots are we. Kings
Mountain Junior High we love,
the school with pride and joy.
Kings Mountain Junior High we
sing; forever we'll be true.”
Their journey had not stopped
yet. On down the road all they
could see was high school! Such
a magical word that struck
wariness and excitement in all
hearts-they were finally going to
high school, 309 tenth graders.
Their enthusiasm was short-
lived, and once more they had to
take a back seat-but not for
long. Soon they elected class of-
ficers: President, Ronnie Wright;
Vice-President, Jeff Chapman;
Secretary, Rainey Haigler,
Treasurer, Pat Davis.
Sophomore student council
members were: Laura Wright,
Sandi Watterson, Eric Dixon,
Thomas Putnam, Denise Ed-
wards, Spring Young, Arnold
Jordan, Tippi Curry, Curt
Pressley, Angel Allen, and Lisa
Wright.
Their sophomore year had
been difficult at times, but as the
months passed, they adjusted ac-
cordingly. They knew it would
be hard to adapt to the new high
school routine. Determined as
they were, they set out to
become a part of the “Moun-
taineer Life.” Time was spent on
learning their alma mater: “Dear
ole Kings Mountain High, we
love thee. Loud and long our
praises ring. Joining in with all
our voices, evermore they name
to sing. In our work or play or -
studies, we will try our best to
do. For we love and honor dear
ole Kings Mountain High. To
thee, well ever be true.”
They faced the coming years
at Kings Mountain Senior High
with determination and the hope °
of reaching their goals. With
sophomores participating on the
“varsity teams, they contributed
to the success of their outstan-
ding sports program. Their lively
spirit, which won" them the
“spirit stick” more times than the
Juniors or Seniors, showed
everyone how proud they were
to be a part of the Class of 1984.
The chorus trip to Atlanta,
Georgia was a highlight for the
students who participated in the
Invitational Choral Contest and
won them a superior rating.
They also got to sing at one of
the Braves baseball games, and
be on national tv. As the year
ended, in each heart a little voice
could be heard saying, “Just wait
until next year...we’ll show ’em!”
And they did! They barreled
into the halls of Kings Mountain
Senior High School the follow-
ing August as the Class of 84,
the juniors, 285 strong, next to
the oldest class in school. They
started off in a “whosh” as they
elected their class officers with
President, Ronnie Wright; Vice-
President, Jeff Chapman;
Secretary, Kim Hawkins; and
Treasurer, Pat Davis. Sandi Wat-
terson was elected as
Secretary/Treasurer of the Stu-
dent Council. Junior Council
members elected Thomas Put-
nam, Angel Allen, Jill Plonk,
LaDonna White, Rainey
Haigler, Joy McCoy, Debbie
Whetstine, Susie Biggers, Tippi
Curry, Charlene Gamble,
Caroline Harper, and Lisa
Wright.
Their first project of the year
was the magazine campaign for
the purpose of raising money for
the Junior-Senior Prom. At the
close of the campaign the class
had sold $21,275.81, profit of
$8,498.59, beating the class of
83 and every preceding class,
even the class of 85, with Holly
Dellinger, Lisa Wright, and Lee
Ann Lineberger leading the way
in the most successful magazine
sale ever at Kings Mountain
Senior High School.
During the next few months,
the juniors picked out their class
rings. The following students
were chosen for Presidential
Classroom: Jill Plonk, Jeff Chap-
man, Sandi Watterson, Tracy
Scism, and Caroline Harper. Lee
Ann Lineberger was elected
Vice-President of FHA for the
State of North Carolina. Deia
Parker wrote articles for the
Charlotte Observer. The
Blazer Band raised $20,000 for
their trip to Florida. They mar-
ched in the parade at Disney
World and showed everyone
they could come back home with
a third place bronze award after
. President,
Vice-President,
~ Coy,
At The Class Of ‘84
competing with other bands
around the country. The band
went on to the State Band Con-
test and won a superior rating,
under the direction of Donald
Deal and Chris Cole. The chorus
"won a superior rating also, under
the direction of Gene Bumgard-
ner.
Next on the agenda was the
Junior-Senior Prom, held on
May 7, 1983. The spring air was
filled with the sounds of the
“Staircase Band,” as the
students, escorts, and teachers
enjoyed the 1983 edition of the
Junior-Senior Prom, “Before the
Year 2000.” The hard work
from the sales of the magazines
had paid off; they proved to be
one of the most exceptional
junior classes ever at Kings
Mountain Senior High School. It
was a remarkable and entertain-
ing night to be remembered!
June came and brought with
it, summer vacation and summer
jobs for some of them. But the
dwindling months brought
school around that August,
1983, for the last time for the
Class of 1984. The moment they
all had waited for-the pride and
joy of being a senior-not just be-
ing any senior, but being a
Senior in the Class of 1984. They
had made it. After dreaming,
praying, hoping, and waiting,
they were-The Seniors!
As seniors, 252, they soon
realized what a big job they had
to do. They were the leaders of
Kings Mountain Senior High
School. With the help of their
principal, Ronnie Wilson,
teachers, and students, the hard
work began. Jeff Chapman was:
“elected as President -of Student
Participating Organization.
Senior Class elected officers:
Sandi Watterson;
Susie = Biggers;
Secretary, Holly Dellinger; and
Treasurer, Pat Davis. Student
council members elected Carla
Adams, Angel Allen, Dana
Blalock, Tippi Curry, Shawn
Gibby, Todd Gossett, Rainey
Haigler, Angela Lyon, Joy Mc-
Lisa Wright, - Ronnie
Wright, and ‘Spring Young. At-
large representatives were
Thomas Putnam, Lee Ann
Lineberger, and Si Silaphet with
Mrs. Anita Cambell and Mr.
Dean Westmoreland, Faculty
Advisors. :
The Mountaineer, the school
newspaper, flourished with
Neesie Taylor, Editor; Julie
Clore, Managing Editor; and Joy
Queen, Photography Editor.
They published five editions
under the supervision of Faculty
Advisors, Miss Annette Parker
and Mrs. Elizabeth Throop. The
Literary Magazine, - “Phases,”
which included the creative ef-
forts of students in all eight
schools in the Kings Mountain
School System was headed by
Deia Parker, Editor; and Joy
Queen, Managing Editor.
Their 1984 yearbook was
headed by Pat Davis, Rainey
Haigler, Holly Dellinger, Kim
Hawkins, Wendy Smith, Dawn
Morris, Deda Smith, and Dana
Blalock with Mrs. Brenda Neal
and Mrs. Mattie Lowery as
faculty advisors. The Class of
1984 voted to dedicate the 1984
yearbook to Mr. Dean
Westmoreland, history teacher,
known to many as “The Pope.”
Homecoming was held on Oc-
tober 21, 1983, with Spring
Young, Angela Lyon, Becky
Bolt, Lisa Wright, Rainey
Haigler, Dina Jenkins, Jill Plonk,
Holly Dellinger, Pat Davis,
Leslie Sellers, Donna Blackburn,
Neesie Taylor, Cynthia Adams,
Sonia Ross, Caroline Harper,
Joy McCoy, Anita Ware, Lisa
Nation, Pam Morrow, Angel
Allen, Charlene Gamble, and
Susan Biggers running for the ti-
tle. Angela Lyon was elected as
Homecoming Queen.
At the last football pep rally
all the Seniors were called to
center court, and they sang their
school song with tears streaming
down their faces. It came time
for the last football game at John
Gamble Stadium where some
very special band members mar-
ched for their last game. Senior
cheerleaders cheered for their
last game: Angel Allen, Captain;
Spring Young, Co-Captain; Lee
Ann Lineberger, Jill Plonk, and
Tina Brown. A group of
dedicated senior football players
played their last game: Curtis
Pressley, Todd Cloninger,
Thomas Putnam, Dale Moore,
Quinton Rikard, Shawn Rainey,
Brad Reynolds, Jeff Stokes,
Gerald Gladden, James Ellison,
Zach Roseboro, David Parker,
and Shane Burton. Overall 64,
won third place in the con-
ference.
Joy McCoy won the title of
Carousell Princess. Jeff Chap-
man was recipient of the Good
Citizen Award. The Class of
1984 National Honor Society
members: Tracy Bolin, Sandi
Watterson, Tracy Scism, Lisa
Nation, Joy McCoy, Pat Davis,
Laura Wright, Susan Dyer, Lucy
Whitaker, Jeff Smith, Paula
Greene, Eva McKinney, Jill
Plonk, Shawn Gibby, Si
Silaphet, Barbara Lovelace, Pam
Morrow, Lisa Birskovich, and
Sararan Murray with Mrs. Sara
Griffin, Faculty Advisor.
The girls’ tennis team had a
great season, 13-1. Senior players
were Pat Davis, Becky Bolt,
Caroline Harper, Wendy Smith,
and Chris Parton.
The next project the seniors
undertook was the presentation
of the Senior Class Play, “Up the
Down Staircase,” under the
direction of Mrs. Betsy Wells,
head of the Drama Department.
What an undertaking! It was
presented at-Barnes Auditorium
on November 17, 18, and 19,
1983. Those seniors who took
the roles of faculty members
were: Dr. Maxwell Clarke
played by Kevin Echols, Sylvia
Barrett by Joy McCoy, Beatrice
Schachter by Lisa Nation, Paul
Barringer by Steve Fain, JJ.
McHabe by Ricky White, Ella
Friedenberg by Sonia Ross
Frances Egan by Lisa Wright,
Charlotte Woff by Rainey
Haigler, Samuel Bester by Tracy
Bolin, Sadie Finch by Cathy
Clore and Helen Arbuezzi by
Laura Duncan. Students were
played by Michael Lee, Mark
Herndon, Joella Hamrick, Carla
Adams, Tippi Curry, Jeff Lynn,
Holly Dellinger, Naido Lugo,
Cathy Pace, Shawn Gibby,
Angela Lyon, Kim Hawkins,
Charlene Gamble, Sandi Watter-
son, and Michael Bowles. The
senior class raised $2,650 from
the sale of tickets.
The boys’ basketball team was
led by Tyrone Grier, All
Gazette; Arnold Jordan and
Larry Crocker. They finished
their season 15-10.
The girls’ basketball team was
led by Sonia McClain, All
Gazette; Jeanelle Parker and
Anita Ware.
Semester exams came and
went, leaving behind thoughts,
“Did I Pass? or Did I Do Well?
or Will I Graduate or Not?”
Spring arrived and the 1984
class was honored to have
Governor Jim Hunt visit their
school in March, 1984, to
“Celebrate America Day.” Dur-
ing this week the students raised
$516 for the renovation of the
Statue of Liberty.
This class also volunteered to
raise $1,540 for the American
Cancer Society, $800 of which
was raised by the seniors .
themselves.
The Blazer Band under the
direction of Donald Deal and
Chris Cole went to State Band
Contest and came home with a
superior rating. Band All-State
Seniors 83-84 were: LIsa Na-
tion, Tracy Bolin, and Todd
Gossett.
The chorus also came back
with a superior rating under the
direction of Gene Bumgardner.
Chorus All-State Seniors ‘83-84
were: Angel Allen, Laura
Wright, Joy Queen, Angela
Lyon, Marva Johnson, Sandy .
Wells, and Cathy Pace.
Senior members of the boys’
tennis team were Thomas Put-
nam, Jeff Barnette, Mike Boyles,
and Todd Gossett, coached by
Ed Guy.
Track team was led by Arnold
Jordan, Zach Roseboro, David
Pettis, Walter Cooper, Jimmy
Barrett, Tim Hamrick, Morris
Hamrick, and Curtis Pressley.
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