By Hannah Spain and Alyssa Swaney
Varina High School is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its Messer Road campus.
Several events will mark the milestone including alumni recognition at sporting events, a spring beautification project and a campus rededication.
A 50th anniversary committee has been planning the events for the past year. Principal Tracie Omohundro is in charge of that committee.
“This is our opportunity to really showcase the great things we have going on here,” Mrs. Omohundro said.
Recognition of alumni began during football season when various generations of former students were called to midfield before games.
Business teacher Dwanda Hicks is on the anniversary planning committee and has made buttons for alumni to wear during football games.
“Everybody who came out on the football field to welcome the team got a button, so I’m in charge of making the buttons for the people who come support the teams,” Mrs. Hicks said.
Alumni recognition events at sporting events will continue through the spring.
The beautification project scheduled for April will be followed by the rededication on May 5, which is the same day the Messer Road campus was originally dedicated 50 years ago.
Mrs. Omohundro is pleased the renovation is wrapping up as the school celebrates its anniversary.
“When we’re inviting folks back for our event, we can show people not only can you come reminisce about your school, but look at the nice improvements we’ve made, too,” Mrs. Omohundro said.
The Student Government Association is planning events to increase student involvement. Senior SGA president Calvin Bartelle said he hopes students appreciate the school’s influence on the community.
“Varina has made an impact on the community by teaching students the knowledge they need to be successful in the future and by preparing them for tougher events that they may come against in the future,” Calvin said.
Students in the Center for Communications are also contributing to the celebration by creating posters and documentaries.
Senior communications student Dahneja Jackson said she enjoys researching the school.
“It’s a way I can look back at Varina and find out what was similar and different,” Dahneja said.
Graphic design instructor Joey Boehling, who has taught at Varina since 1984, created the 50th anniversary logo. He said the idea popped into his head at a committee meeting.
“I like to play with words, and ‘Devilishly Good’ was a nice oxymoron. Also I’m thinking the zero in 50 looks just like the logo that we use for Varina Nation,” Mr. Boehling said.
There is no budget for anniversary events, but committee members encourage students and staff to donate their time and support.
Librarian Virginia Brown is one staff member donating time to research facts about the school’s history.
Social studies and government teacher Andrew Givens is on the 50th anniversary planning committee. He is a 1997 graduate of Varina.
“I hope to see more involvement with the school and past alumni,” Mr. Givens said.
Mrs. Omohundro and other members of the committee are managing a Facebook page for the anniversary. She encourages students and community members to get involved.
“We want to be able to show we should be proud of our school community, and that’s why this is really important for us,” Mrs. Omohundro said.
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