50 YEARS OF CAVALIERS

During the 1940’s and 1950’s, Spencer was a unique town.  Although Spencer residents dealt daily with black soot and cinders from the Southern Railroad steam engines, the town held a Southern charm for the people who lived and worked there.  Our hometown provided us with churches, doctors, drug store, grocery stores, café, post office, theater, furniture and appliance stores, and a huge park in the center of town.  My early Spencer memories are of close family ties, friendly neighbors and faithful church attendance.  Our neighborhoods were a safe haven for children to play games like “mother-may-I “ and “red rover”.  We roller skated and rode bicycles on the cement sidewalks in front of our homes, made mud pies in the dirt, and built playhouses out of discarded appliance boxes.  Neighbors knew each other by name and exchanged a friendly “hello” across their front porches.  The three F’s were important—faith, family and friends.

Spencer School was the heart of our community.   Many of our teachers and parents had attended the school so there was a unifying school pride and close connection between school and community.  Since our class was a large group of World War II babies, three classroom teachers were required each school year.  From the time I began first grade in 1949 at Spencer School, I have lasting memories of learning to read with Dick, Jane Sally, Spot and Puff and to using gerunds and participles in writing clear and correct sentences.  Our exceptional teachers, in addition to their teaching responsibilities, planned chapel and May Day Programs, taught square dancing in the gym and took us to Raleigh for an 8th grade trip.  A talented cafeteria staff prepared daily lunches for us.  I can still smell the aroma of freshly baked yeast rolls and peanut butter cookies drifting through our basement halls.                                               

During the early 1950’s a progressive attitude toward education began to unfold.  Two visionary men, Mr. Johnson H. Steelman Principal of Spencer School and Dr. James Carr Eagle Chairman of the Board of Education, devised a dream for the northern quadrant of Rowan County.  This dream combined the students of Ellis Cross Roads, Yadkin, Dukeville, Trading Ford, East Spencer and Spencer into one larger high school.  School consolidation was in its infancy and the idea received support from the communities because it would give all northern Rowan students equal opportunity for acquiring an excellent education.  The name of the new school would be North Rowan High School and would provide the students with more diverse academic opportunities as well as give greater variety to the sports program.  Thus, the northern Rowan County dream began to take shape.  Mr. Johnson H. Steelman, a respected leader and energetic man of high ideals, was selected as the first principal of the new school.

About 1954 a beautiful parcel of land located in the Forest Dale section of Spencer owned by W. C. Mendenhall, Jr. was purchased to build the new school.  The property selected was an open field facing Whitehead Avenue.  The property sloped to a small creek running along the southern property border and a grove of tall hard wood trees grew on the northern end of the land.  Shortly thereafter, an architect was commissioned to design our modern state of the art school. This building included administrative offices, counseling space, teacher work area, classrooms, science labs, home economics, library, student commons area, cafeteria, wood working shop, band room, auditorium, gymnasium, locker rooms and even an amphitheater.  Additional land was used to build a football field and stadium, while the school was under construction.  Plans were to add a baseball field and tennis court at a later date, when funds became available.  

 Although the thoughts of starting over in a new school and leaving behind the familiar surrounding of Spencer School left me with feelings of anxiety, I trusted the judgement of the adults around me knowing that the consolidated school would provide more opportunities for a better future.  I also knew that others students were leaving behind treasured memories of their school just as we were.  So I tried to replace anxious feelings of the unknown future with excitement and anticipation of finishing the remainder of my three high school years in a new school with old friends and making new friends.

Construction began on our new school in 1956.  Since I lived across the road from the new school, I watched in wonder as construction began.  Each day as this young and impressionable teenager walked to and from Spencer School, I saw a vast field changing daily.  I watched in awe as bulldozers began leveling dirt and moving trees.  In a wooded area on Oakwood Drive a mobile trailer was set up as an office and living space for the construction foreman and his family to use while the future school was under construction.  I saw each piece of our new school building begin to take shape.  It seemed like giant pieces of a puzzle were being assembled daily.  Footings were dug and poured. Then came bricks, mortar, steel support beams, walls, glass windows, plumbing pipes, heating units and roofing. Gradually the open field transformed into a magnificent modern building.  In anticipation of seeing a completed building I quickly learned that the inside-finishing work was slow and took longer than I expected.  During this time Mr. Johnson H. Steelman carefully watched the construction progress and inspected the workmanship daily. 

As the time neared for school to open some of the doubts I entertained started to disappear.  Finally, on August 26, 1958 the time arrived for us to begin school.  My first impression of our beautiful school was how bright, cheerful and full of light the halls were.  Light colored tiles covered the floors replacing the old dark stained wooden floors of Spencer School.  The huge windows in the main building provided classrooms with an abundance of light.  With walls painted a light color the size of classrooms seemed enormous.  The teaching staff consisted of dedicated men and women who taught at both Spencer and East Spencer Schools as well as new teachers.  These wonderful men and women inspired us, encouraged our leadership abilities and gave of their best in the classroom.  The faculty made us feel welcome but did not hesitate to remind us that academics were our first priority.  After school hours the teachers guided us as club, yearbook, newspaper and grade level advisors.  They coached teams and taught manners while chaperoning school socials.  Our teachers were looked up to, respected and were examples of good moral character. Our well-trained faculty praised our accomplishments when earned and disciplined us as needed. 

As old friends greeted each other, new lifetime friendships were formed.  We realized that our new school was much more than a building but is a culmination of students, administration and teachers working together.  In our new auditorium we came together for chapel events, club meetings, musicals, senior productions, graduation and baccalaureate services.  Taking the best athletes from both high schools provided us with winning football, basketball, track and baseball teams.  The new stadium lights seemed to light up the northern end of the county.  In the new gym and on the football field, the newly elected cheerleaders led us to spirited pep rallies, which exploded into a unifying school spirit.  We closed the doors of unknown fears and opened the windows of harmony in relationships.  We were no longer two separate schools but united and proud to be called the Cavaliers.  One of the greatest accomplishments achieved that year was to become accredited by the Southern Association of Schools and Colleges. Accreditation was important because it established North Rowan High School, as meeting high academic standards required by colleges and other institutions of higher learning. 

At that time we were not aware that the blending of schools served for all of us a greater purpose.  Without our knowing it we were learning to work and play together.  We learned to discuss, listen and respect others ideas and contributions.  We also learned that coming together for the common good is beneficial to everyone.  The Northern Light continues to shine, as our heritage is rich with many talented alumni in all areas of society.  North Rowan High School has produced some of the best engineers, scientists, doctors, dentists, teachers, businessmen and women, nurses, athletes, artists, historians and missionaries.  As a 1961 graduate of North Rowan High School, I am proud of the tradition of excellence our teachers and administration gave me.  Many of my classmates relate fifty years later how prepared they were after graduating from North Rowan.  Now we celebrate North Rowan High School as it has accomplished fifty years of educating productive young people.  The light you shared with your students, educating us academically as well as physically, morally, spiritually and socially, is a tribute to your legacy.  We celebrate and thank you for the light of hope you instilled and continue to instill in your students.

                                                                                    Ann Scruggs Link-Class of 1961

                                                                                    Snow Camp, NC

Then and Now

As time approaches for the 50 year anniversary of North Rowan, it becomes even more inconceivable that the Class of ’61 graduated 47 years ago.  However, I was able to “go back home again.”  I spent 20 years teaching English, with the last 15 as Quiz Bowl adviser and last 10 as yearbook adviser.  Even though there are 700 students, the cafeteria twice its original size, and many classroom additions, some things will never change for me.  The feelings and memories of my days as a student and faculty member will always be there every time I enter the building.

Perhaps the biggest change for me was producing a yearbook.  It is now a regular class during the school day.  Never having had experience with yearbook production, I received a “baptism by fire.”  I soon discovered that the school system provided no money for yearbook---period!!  Every penny had to be generated through yearbook sales, ad sales, and any other fundraiser I could think up.  Producing a yearbook cost $30,000+, and students paid $60 - $100, depending on any extras they wished to purchase.  (Didn’t we pay $5 - $10 for ours?)  I had to keep costs as low as possible and still produce a great product because our clientele wasn’t all that interested in yearbooks.  We used computers, special software programs, digital cameras; we designed ads, composed text, and so much more.  It was definitely different from the early days.  Color pages were popular but very expensive.  I let my staff handle the technology and I concentrated on editing, approving sections, making sure we didn’t miss a deadline---that was extremely costly---and finding money for the book.  Even my family and friends were not immune from my boldly asking for a donation---just ask Pam Barber Whitley and Larry Thomason!!  Many times I was a nervous wreck and lost sleep worrying about finances, but overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the challenge and was never in the red financially.

As far as teaching English, I taught all levels, but for the last 10 years I taught Advanced Placement English IV.  If a student made a score of 3 or better on the AP exam given in May, he could receive college English credit.  (That exam is a real bear!)  These classes were a joy---I got to cover all my favorite English authors---you remember---Shakespeare, Chaucer, Milton, etc.  I even used the overhead projector that Mrs. Tichenor had used.  One day I saw it in the library with her name written on it in permanent ink.  It was mine for my entire career.

When we were in school, probably the worst infraction might be smoking in the bathrooms or chewing gum in class, but we were never disrespectful or disruptive.  Today it’s the bad language, lack of respect for teachers and administrators, mode of dress, student apathy, and disruptive behavior.  The county, state, and No Child Left Behind have put added pressure on teachers.  It is the teacher’s responsibility to make students perform well---regardless.  Many students have a limited vocabulary, do not read well or see school as important, and homework is something they think will infringe on “their time.”  Learning must be fun; a teacher should “love them into learning.” A great deal of creativity has been taken away from teachers and forced them to cover more material at a faster pace.  Testing has become the god in education and a “good” teacher will get the right results.  The bureaucrats in Raleigh who haven’t stepped foot in a classroom in 30+ years would not last a whole semester, much less a week or month.  Also if a student gets into trouble or is not doing well in class, the parent and student blame the teacher.  Don’t get me wrong; this does not apply to all students and parents, but society has changed and a student’s home life DOES relate to his behavior and performance in school.  Just ask anyone who has been teaching for many years.  Times have changed and not always for the better.

At this point I must add that even though North is considered the “poor stepchild” by many in the county and it seems that anything negative about the school always ends up on the front page of the SALISBURY POST, I would not have wanted to teach at any other school.  North is my school, my home, and I am and always will be proud to say that I’m a graduate and former faculty member of the best school in Rowan County.  Go Cavs!!

Reba Barber Krider, Class of ‘61

The North Rowan athletic teams have made the most of the talent available from a small town.  Though it may lack the glamour of the gridiron or the tradition of a backboards along the Tobacco Road, the Cavalier grapplers of ’68 and ’69 would have to rate as one of the top teams to come from North.  The track and field streak of state championships overshadows the one back to back wrestling championship, but what was accomplished through the determination of the young wrestlers under Coach Ralph Shatterly is more than what was seen on the mat.

On the mat it would be the ‘68 team that halted the longest winning streak at Boyden before the largest crowd to see a non-WWF event. That year, following our first undefeated season, we were met at the state championship with the Bulldogs of Statesville shouting, “Dog meat! Dog meat!”  Ignoring their chants, the Cavaliers would easily dethrone the Bulldogs.  With some humility, the surprise defeat of defending state champion Ed Pressley of Statesville by a first year varsity grappler would have to be one of the key events.  Earlier in the season Ed had beaten me by the same score of eight to six, but his accomplishment fell short of being singled out as the “Most Outstanding” in the state tournament.  He could, however take credit for being the only one to beat me in high school.  I returned the next year to repeat as state champion, but graciously admit, I would be far down the list of true outstanding wrestlers of North Rowan.  The likes of the Pendleton brothers, Monty Grubb, Larry Melton and Roger Morgan, Eddie Weddington and Ricky Brinkley would rate above me in talent.  My victories were won by one who just didn’t like to loose and coached by the best North has had. 

The next year we continued our winning streak, and against North Iredell we would pin all twelve individual opponents.  At the end of the season, we could boast seven state champions carrying the Cavalier pride.  Beginning the next year, the graduating class of ’69 would go on and make their mark at the collegiate level.  Four of the wrestlers would go on to compete in college and three would be team captains.  Roger Morgan would wrestle for a short while at NC State, with Eddie Weddington setting records at UNC Wilmington.  Doug Barrier and I would be co-captains at Western Carolina University.  I was the first four year letterman and had one undefeated season, while Doug would be, and still remains, the one with the most wins at Western.
 

Championships come and fade with each passing season; but it is what you take with you when you leave the mat that lasts for a lifetime.   Coach Shatterly is to be credited with much of the successes his grapplers accomplished off the mat.  For myself, many a time over the twenty-plus years as a Marine officer and now serving as a pastor, I would recite from a note he handed to me prior to my first varsity match:

I am sitting at my desk at Koza Baptist Church in Okinawa Japan.  The onset of Parkinson’s disease will bring an end to the eleven years as senior pastor of a church averaging a little over four hundred each Sunday.  Earlier this month we moved into our new six million dollar ministry complex that was completely paid for the Friday prior.  A feat only God could bring about.  (See www.kozabaptistchurch.org).  My wife, the former Betty Doby (NRHS ’70) will be by my side to roll me out on the backyard here in Okinawa where we recently purchased our retirement home.  Betty will continue to teach a few more years with the government while I’ll be sitting out back looking over the East China Sea.  Come see us and the view.
 

Carrying the Cavalier Pride,

Bo Russell

LtCol USMC(Ret)      

The Early Days of North Rowan Football Practices and Games

The North Rowan Class of 1961 was the first sophomore class. It seemed that confusion was overshadowed by our anticipation and excitement of challenges and opportunities we had not been offered before.  Just the thought of a brand new school, new name, new friends, and faculty was beyond our imaginations. And for the boys of the town, the question was what kind of success would evolve from Spencer Railroaders football to the North Rowan Cavaliers team?  It was this small town “right of passage”  for the boys to engage and progress from sandlot play, to little league, to JV teams, to the ultimate goal of putting on a uniform and  to play football before his cheering hometown fans and band.  Remembering our physical exams for the North football candidates…we lined up in the gym like we were entering the military in our underwear and Dr. Jay Smith checked us out.  Dr. Smith was always there for our injuries on the field.

But, who was our new head coach?   His name was Burton K. Barger, a growling, tobacco chewing, disciplinarian, and math teacher who was going to coach us into executing fundamental winning power football.  His assistant was Walt Baker, a firm, somewhat reserved, patient man, who could coach playing talent out of anyone.  Our offense would be the “unbalanced single-wing” attack.  

Our practice equipment consisted of the old, very worn and smelly Spencer High pads, pants, and helmets. Those were torturing, hot, daily practices of punishing conditioning drills like “running up the bank.”  A 45 degree embankment beside the stadium stands. Other drills including “the crab crawl”, “the duck walk”, “wind sprints”, and my personal favorite, “the bull in the ring”.  Those scrimmages consisted of Coach Barger screaming “run it again (the play,) till you get it right”!  And after, and only after practice, we were awarded the entire team favorite drill……standing in line for a drink of water from a spigot. 

A favorite football practice memory was when Coach Barger continued to remind me not use profanity anymore.  And after his final warning, I let profanity loose after a play.  Coach then ordered me to remain after practice to run extra laps.  He said to me, “Brandt!...if you don’t stop cussing, I’m going to run you till your tongue drags the ground and then I’m going to tie a rock on it and run you some more”!....and my reply was to Coach.   But, “Damn” Coach….I can’t help it!.........Coach then said….run another 5 laps Brandt!

Then game day time finally rolled around. Another North milestone…we would be playing in a brand new stadium with new uniforms.  We were getting new helmets and pads, new pants, and white jerseys with green numbers!  We later got the green pants and green jerseys that were the “away uniforms”.  We were on top of the world and we were to be dealt with. 

Our record for 1960 season was; 6 wins, 2 losses and 2 ties.  There were a couple games we could have won, but mistakes and turnovers cost us those victories.  We had the best record of any team in the county that year.  The North team of 1960 came away with a winning season.  We were 1960 Co-Champs of the North Piedmont Conference.

Another milestone at North was a new Track and Field program.  Coach Barger started a Track and Field program at North that was the first in the county school system.  The running surface was a “cinder” track.  For those who participated in that program, it was fun and exciting to compete with other schools in a new venue of competition.   

In remembering those days and times, we as a team and class came away from North Rowan with even more than was shown in the athletic records or the scholastic achievements.  While at North, we respected our school property, our faculty, and staff.  We recognized the authority of our teachers and Principal, Mr. Johnson Steelman, because their responsibility and authority were second to our parents. We were students of the Towns of Spencer and East Spencer, and surrounding communities of Dukeville, Yadkin, and Ellis Crossroads that together forged a consolidation to become North Rowan.  We accepted this transition and its challenges smoothly. We left prepared to meet life’s challenges and rewards.  We were the North Rowan High Class of 1961 that were bound by strong lifelong friendships that exist today.  The memories of classmates, football games, track meets, the “sock hops”, “crusin town”, Winks and Blackwelders barbeque, are sweet memories cherished forever.   I’m forever thankful and grateful to have experienced those times of my generation.  

Bobby Brandt,

NRHS Class of 1961,

Raleigh, NC