South Charleston High School

1 Eagle Way

South Charleston, WV 25309

School History:

South Charleston High School opened in the fall of 1926 in a distinctive five-sided building on Third Avenue and E Street. Miss Clara Smith served as principal for the first school year. As the only senior that year, Kathleen (Harless) Hamilton became the first and only graduate of the Class of 1927.

 

In 1931, the school (grades 7-12) became Loudon District High School and moved to a new building at Third Avenue and C Street. Two years later, the West Virginia Legislature terminated district boards. During the 1933-34 school year, the Kanawha County Board of Education assumed the administration of the high school and changed the name back to South Charleston High School. However, the name on the front of the building remained unchanged for another 26 years. Over the next four decades, SCHS changed to grades 9-12 and then to grades 10-12. Enrollment peaked with the “baby boomer” classes of ’64-’65-’66.

In the fall of 1971, South Charleston High School moved to One Eagle Way, a beautiful hilltop location in Spring Hill on the site of the former Southmoor Country Club. With the closure of Dunbar High School in 1990, additions were made to accommodate the increased enrollment. SCHS honored its own with the Robert L. Bryan Baseball Field, Marvin S. Lee Athletic Field, Tom Murphy Theatre, Marvin “Old Pro” Richardson Gymnasium, Harry S. Stansbury Tennis Courts and the Bryan-McIlwain Baseball Complex.

 

South Charleston High School became a four-year school again in 2001-2002 following a major construction project that included the Carl Tully Gymnasium. The home of the Black Eagles continues to be the pride of the Dunbar and South Charleston communities.

 School Fight Song: Stand Up and Cheer http://www.schsalumni.org/fightsong.asp

 Alma Mater:

Of thee we sing our Alma Mater,
Hear the praise we cry,
May our hearts that joy has gladdened
Hold your honor ever high.

Our thoughts will ever turn to thee,
The school that we revere.
And through the years in memory
South Charleston High most dear.

Principal:  Mr. Jim Higginbothom (Scooter)

Vice-Principal:  Mr. Jimmie Compton (Lurch)

School Colors: Black and Orange

Class Motto:  Into full flight we will climb;  We're the class of '89!

Homecoming Theme: Around the World in 5 Days

Homecoming Competition Winner: Senior Class of 1989

Homecoming Queen:  Gretchen Kessler

Homecoming King:  Sammy Cottrill

Snow Ball:  December 1988 at the South Charleston Community Center

Miss Snowball:  Susan Burgess

Prom:  Silhouttes of the Night, May 20th, 1989 at the University of Charleston Ballroom

Prom Queen:  Lisa Brotherton

Senior Skip Day:  Katie Damron's House

Baccalaureate: June 4th, 1989 at 8 pm at the South Charleston Presbyterian Church

Graduation:  June 10th, 1989 at 7:30 pm at the Municipal Auditorium

Project Graduation: June 10th, 1989...following graduation. An all night party at the South Charleston Community Center.

Class trip: Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Valedictorian: Chris McKinney

Salutatorian: Cathy Polcari                                                     

Outstanding Sportsman of the Year: Marc Henson

Outstanding Sportswoman of the Year: Cathy Polcari                      

Outstanding Senior of the Year: Esmeralda Vargas

Senior Club Members of the Year:  Doug Bryant and Lisa Matheny

Class Officers:

• President: Nick Johnson 
• Vice President: Joey Robertson           
• Secretary/Treasuer: Gretchen Kessler

Student Council Officers:                                                           

• President:  Doug Bryant
• Vice-President:  Marlene Jackson                                                
• Secretary:  Jennifer Gay                                                          
• Treasurer:  Susan Burgess

Senior Personalities:

• Best all around: Cathy Polcari and Marc Henson
• Most Likely to Succeed:  Autumn Smith and Chris McKinney
• Best Legs: Aimee Holstein and Jackie Withrow
• Best Personality: Gretchen Kessler and Nick Johnson
• Most Athletic:  Lisa Brothertona and Dennie Riffe
• Class Clowns:  Julie Fox and Chuck Mason
• Worst Drivers:  Kim Dumont and Jason Davis
• Most Likely to be in Make-up Time:  Timmy O'Connor and Stacey Eisel
• Most School Spirit:  Vicki Fenwick and Doug Bryant
• Best Dressed:  Kevin Schofield and Stephenia Harless
• Biggest Partiers:  Chris Eller and Jennie Batten
• Teacher's Pets:  Brian Parsley and Linda Branner
• Cutest Couple:  Aimee Holstein and John Bumgarner
• Most Willing to Test the Rules:  Missy Brown and Rob Anderson
• Most Talkative:  Allena Weber and David Pyles
• Biggest Flirts:  Karen Ewing and Bryan Graley
• Most Talented:  Brenda Lord and Randy Cobbs
• Best Looking:  Kristie Roberts and Mike Bastian 
• Most Studious:  Kevin Mayer and Esmeralda Vargas

Most Memorable Moments:                                                 

• TWIRP Week Beauty Pagent:  Guys in Drag
• J-E-L-L-O Wrestling
• Chris McKinney's Valedictorian Speech:  "As for me, I'm going to the beach!"...as he donned a pair of sunglasses.
• Paint the school Tour
• Saturday D Hall, just like the Breakfast Club!
• Smoking on the fence!

 

 

 

 

Please send us your most memorable moments and we will add them.  Obviously, we need more!