A School, a Family, and a Legacy

This year is East Forsyth High School's 50th year Anniversary. They are having a year long celebration and homecoming is a very big part of that celebration. Alumni from all the years will be represented at the game and whole families...from grandparents, to parents, to children will be in attendance. The same goes for my family. I have my brothers that graduated in 1979 and 1985. My husbands siblings graduated from there as well in 1976, 1979, 1982, and 1985. I have teachers who work with me at South Fork who are also alumni from East Forsyth. My mentors, the teachers I had who helped me decide to go into education are alumni from 1967, 1973, and 1976. I was thinking yesterday about this because homecoming is tonight. I was thinking about when I graduated...I was in the 25th graduating class in 1987. My son is graduating this year. He will be in the class of 2012...the 50th graduating class. Then, I thought about all the teachers on the South Fork staff that graduated from there and all the people in the school system who graduated from there, worked there, and continue to be a part of the school or the school community.

That is where the idea of A School, a Family, and a Legacy came from. Jim Wilhelm was the principal when I was there and he was there as far back as 1976, I believe. He is still working in the school system as Interim Assistant Superintendent, Principal, and Assistant Principal. I don't believe they will ever let him retire and his legacy will reach far beyond what he did in his tenure at EFHS. Debbie Brooks, was the Assistant Principal at East when I was there, she then went on to open and retire from Kernersville Middle School. Judy Cowden, Brad Craddock, Carolyn Flynt and Jayne Grubbs...just to name a few, all still work in the system and they are products of East Forsyth High School.

It is a school rich in tradition, in building future educators, and building a family within the school system. In it's duration, it has produced a legacy of educators and other successful adults to be proud of. Trish Gainey, the current principal, is working hard to continue the tradition of fine education and building the pool of educators for years to come. It continues to be a school to reckon with in sports and in academics.

This could not have happened without a strong community support and the hard work of the teachers in the elementary and middle schools. Our high schools are only as good as the students we produce from Kindergarten until they get to the 9th grade. That is why family and community support is so vital, not only for the high school, but for all the local community schools. It the essence of school, family, and legacy. None of it can happen without the dedication of people who care about our future and the future of our students. I am proud of being a graduate of East Forsyth High School and I am proud to be a product of all Winston Salem/ Forsyth County Schools. I am also very grateful that I have been given the chance to give back to the WSFCS community by being an administrator in the system. It started with my family, it grew through my school career, and I pray my legacy will go on to encourage and produce future educators for East Forsyth High School and for the schools throughout the county.

Proudly now we hail thee
Eagle, Brave and Fair
Through the years together
We all things will share.
Blue and White will ever
Be our colors true
Kindling in our memories
Thoughts East High of you!

Congratulations to East Forsyth High School for 50 great years. I look forward to seeing all the successes that continue to come from there.