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Hixson High centennial

By: Susan Pierce
(Contact)

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Michael Gephart

The Hixson High School class of 1909 had three members: Lula Gooden, Anna Pitts and Carrie Watkins. Their graduation was notable because they were the first senior class from the first high school built and operated by the county, according to a history of Hixson High School compiled by Nina East.

Monday morning, the 200-strong senior class of 2009 will gather with community representatives on campus to kick off Hixson High School’s 100th anniversary. A banner will be presented by the seniors and centennial committee to the student body.

“To be the centennial class is a good milestone for our school — that we’re still around and that the school is headed in a good direction. It’s a big honor to be elected student body president by my peers on this particular year,” said Michael Gephart. Michael will participating in Monday’s ceremony.

That event is the first in a yearlong celebration that will highlight the current campus as well as remember the school’s roots in Hixson Middle School, site of the original high school.

Centennial chairmen Mike Kirk and Marty Haynes see this banner year as a golden opportunity to polish their alma mater’s tarnished reputation and raise community awareness about positive achievements at Hixson.

“Last year, most anything you read or heard about Hixson was negative,” said Mr. Kirk. “We felt if we could get folks involved with this effort, bring alumni on campus, they’d see things for themselves, meet students and faculty, and feel at ease about what’s going on there.”

Mr. Haynes said the alumni events begin in three weeks.

“At each home football game, beginning Sept. 12, we will be recognizing a decade of lettermen, whether they lettered in academics, music or athletics,” he said.

Former faculty and staff will be honored with a reception on Nov. 13 at the school. Monthly activities will lead up to the centennial’s finale on April 18, 2009, he said.

Additionally, Mr. Haynes said the committee has a goal of endowing an scholarship to assist graduating seniors, starting with this centennial class.

Suzanne Rushworth, Hixson High teacher and school liaison on the centennial committee, said anniversary events are planned for students throughout the school year as well. They’ll begin with a campus beautification project.

“The senior class is planting 100 yellow tulips in October, which will come up next spring about the time of the April celebration,” Mrs. Rushworth said.

“Our librarian, Susan Gros, has compiled a last of 100 books that students, faculty and alumni may buy for the library. The book drive will conclude in March during Read Across America week,” she said. Each book’s nameplate will recognize the donor and commemorate the centennial.

Other student events include an art show, tree planting, and special class announcements designating these seniors as the centennial class.

School secretary Nina East has spent a year researching and compiling a school history for the centennial celebration, which has been put on DVD. Mr. Haynes said the committee hopes to make copies of her work in time for coming events.

Pictures from that history may be found on the centennial Web site at www.Hixson100yr.org.

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