Fuquay-Varina High School is celebrating the move to Bengal Blvd from Woodrow Street in 1975 this year: the FIFTY YEAR ANNIVERSARY.
The Friends of the Museums Board agreed to share some of our artifacts with the school upon the request from Principal Robert James. One of our docents, Denise Weeks, graciously volunteered to facilitate the displays.
The plan is to educate the student body about the past high school histories. For this semester, there is a display in the cafeteria highlighting the original two high schools in town.
Fuquay Consolidated High from 1938-1970 existed on Jones Street.
Fuquay Springs High, established 1918, became Fuquay Varina High officially with the first class graduating in 1967. (The town change came in 1963 but the school name change was later.)
The two high schools integrated in 1970 and existed on Woodrow Street until the 1975 move.
The museums are happy to help share our history! We hope the student body enjoys the displays in the cafeteria which feature each original school. Among these artifacts are a copy of the yearbooks from both schools, band artifacts from the Rowland family, the family of Kathy Bennett, and Jimmy Ashworth. diplomas from a graduate of both high schools, an FFA Jacket from the Medlin family, along with copies of an early newsletter and other artifacts from the Alumni of Consolidated. A number of pictures highlight events with both student bodies.
Students will also see a display of athletic artifacts at another location to celebrate the accomplishments of the “Falcons” and the “Bison” from earlier days. The two school letters, megaphones, cushions, and banners are displayed along with a Falcon sweat shirt, a
letter sweater, and pieces of past basketball uniforms donated by the Howard family. There are a number of picture highlights here, too.
This brings us to repeat our request , that members of the community who are willing, donate items to the museums so we can have them for future generations to “remember.” History is important! Many members of the current student body never knew there were these past schools!
While this display is primarily to educate the current student body and staff, the events being planned by the Committee to Celebrate the 50th Anniversary will have plans for some public events, too. Thank you to Principal James and Denise Weeks for their excellent displays and for including “our school history! “
Shirley Simmons and Denise Weeks