WHS Beta Club

Walhalla High School was recognized as one of the original thirty-four schools chartered into The National Beta Club at a reception in Spartanburg at the Chapman Cultural Center last night. The National Beta club is the largest independent, non-profit, educational youth organization in America. Mr. Ken Cline, Executive Director, spoke to the large crowd about the history of Beta and how the motto “Let us lead by serving others” was true in 1934 and is still true today. Dr. John W Harris, a professor at Wofford College, wanted to start a club that recognized the academic achievement of students. The first club was started at Landrum High School in January, 1934. There are four members of the original club still living. Today there are over five million Beta Club members in 42 states.

Walhalla High School’s chapter was chartered on October 13, 1934 and had twenty members. Our current Beta Club has one hundred eighty members and is sponsored by Marc Vaccaro and Alex Smith.
The twenty original members were Lois Addis, Sid Ballenger, Benjamin Bentley, Anne Carter, Sara Chalmers, Eugene Mays, Katherine Moss, Maca Powell, Eulalee Puckhauber, Bessie Reese, Gertrude Addis, William Aull, Dorothy Ernest, Fred Gillespie, Catherine Hughs, Helena Isom, Ernest Nichols, Carolyn Owens, Mary Riordan, and William Rochester.

Walhalla High School is very proud to be part of such a worthwhile organization that promotes academic achievement and develops leadership skills in our students.

DHEC names Walhalla High as Champion of the Environment

By Greg Oliver – Daily Journal March 4, 2009
WALHALLA — A project conducted by students in a Biology II class at Walhalla High School has led to the school’s recent recognition by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) as a Champion of the Environment.
The state agency recognized the class, taught by Barbara Nicodemus, for its “Bluebirds on Our Shoulders” project. Lynn LaSalle, coordinator for Champions of the Environment, said teams of students will establish a trail of bluebird nest boxes, plant food plants and nesting materials and educate the community. Not only will this help the bluebirds and other local wildlife, she said the project will also empower students as they play a part in improving the environment.
“Walhalla High’s Biology II classes want to enhance the survival of bluebirds in their community,” LaSalle said.
Walhalla High Principal Evie Hughes said the Biology II students will receive $500 for supplies and be featured on a commercial to run on television stations in Columbia and Charleston.
“Walhalla High School is very excited to receive the Champions of the Environment award,” Hughes said.
Champions of the Environment has been rewarding South Carolina’s kindergarten through 12th-grade students and teachers since 1993. Support for the program comes from a federal agency, several DHEC environmental bureaus and private businesses. Champions is partially funded through Section 319 of the Clean Water Act, which aims to reduce polluted runoff and improve water quality. More than $10,000 is awarded to K-12 students and teachers for environmental action. The two ways to become a champion are: through the Grant Award Program, that rewards projects that help the environment and which allows students, teachers and environmental educators to apply to win $500, and the Environmental Awareness Middle School Competition that rewards student creativity and environmental knowledge.
The middle school competition is for students in sixth, seventh and eighth grades, and first- through third-place winners receive U.S. Savings Bonds.
Walhalla High School is no stranger to the Champion award. In 2007, then ninth-grade student Seth Mangan was named as a Champion of the Environment for organizing volunteers from his Boy Scout troop and community to protect water quality in Cane Creek and Lake Keowee. Morgan marked storm drains with the message “Don’t Dump — Drains to Creek” — to inform the public about the storm drain-to-waterway connection.

Teacher of the Year

Dr. Laura Black – WHS Teacher of the Year
The above picture shows me congratulating our 2009 – 2010 Teacher of the Year, Dr. Laura Black. She was nominated and voted on by her peers for this honor. Dr. Black currently teaches English 2 and Latin at WHS. This is her 38th year in education. Dr. Black has taught at Dent Junior High, Summerville HS, Lexington HS, Liberty HS and Southern Wesleyan College. We are so happy she is a RAZORBACK!

Walhalla High School has received a $500 grant from the ExxonMobil Educational Alliance program to support the school’s technology program. Bounty Land Petroleum worked with school officials to secure the grant which is one of 4,000 available to schools across the country served by Exxon or Mobil stations. The grants were made possible by funding from the Exxon Mobil Corporation. Walhalla High School would like to thank David Land and Bounty Land Petroleum for their generosity.

Rick Somerville – Walhalla High School Wrestling Coach. His current record is 92 wins and 16 losses in four years. The WHS Wrestling team has been Region 1 – AA Champions twice and Upper state Champions. The team will wrestle Crescent tonight in the third round of the playoffs.

Rob Middleton

Front row - Britton Middleton, Tina Middleton, Rob Middleton, Chuck Middleton
Back row - Evie Hughes, Hal Dunlap-Athletic Director, John Boggs-Head Coach, Jerry Lee-Quarterbacks Coach

Rob Middleton signed his national letter of intent to attend Newberry College today at 9:30 in the Media Center. Rob is the all-time statistical leader at Walhalla High School in every passing category, throwing for over 6,000 yards and 57 TDs in his career for the Razorbacks. He is a 2-time All-State AA player and was the Golden Corner Offensive Player of the Year in 2007. Rob also won the Wendy’s High School Heisman in 2008-2009 for excellence in academics as well as athletics. We are very pleased that Rob will have the opportunity to continue his football career while also pursuing a Business Degree at Newberry College.

We are very proud of you ROB!

Jeans for Homeless Teens

Walhalla High School students are collecting jeans for homeless teens.

Teens for Jeans is a national campaign, launched by
Aeropostale and Do Something, empowering Local
Teens to collect jeans for homeless teens.
A homeless youth is defined as an individual under the
age of 18 who lacks parental, foster or institutional
care. 1 out of every 3 homeless people are under the age of 18 .

Bring a pair of gently worn jeans to the drop off
locations at Wathalla High School or Walhalla Middle School
between January 26th and February 20th. We’ll make sure they get donated to a local homeless shelter or charity. In return, Aeropostale will give you a 25% discount voucher towards a new pair of jeans.