East Burke to celebrate 50 years at homecoming

East Burke High School opened its doors to students in August of 1974, meaning that this school year is the 50th in the school’s history.

East Burke absorbed the student bodies of what had been four separate high schools in the eastern half of the county: Hildebran, George Hildebrand, Valdese, and Drexel.

The opening of East Burke came one year after the opening of Freedom High School, which was made up of students who previously attended Morganton, Salem, Oak Hill, and Glen Alpine high schools.

The beginning of East Burke’s 50th year will be celebrated on Friday, Sept. 29, at the school’s homecoming football game against the Red Devils of Newton-Conover High School in Catawba County.

As part of the homecoming celebration, all of the homecoming queens from the past half-century have been invited back to the schools and will be recognized in a special ceremony at 7 p.m. before the football game kicks off.

In addition, all former East Burke football players and coaches are invited to stand in the end zone as the Cavaliers take the field.

All former cheerleaders are asked to contact East Burke cheer coach, Sabrina Baker, on her Facebook page for information about how to join in cheering that night.

And, all former band members are invited to sit with the band and play along if they like.

“We're excited to have all of our Cavaliers coming home as we celebrate our 50th Anniversary Homecoming Football game,” said Principal Katie Moore. “ Join us in commemorating this milestone, where past and present Cavaliers unite to create enduring memories and inspire future generations. As the saying goes, ‘Once a Cavalier, Always a Cavalier!’”

Moore noted also that those wanting to see the special recognition of past homecoming queens need to be in their seats early that Friday evening.

East Burke Homecoming Queens

Year 1: 1974-1975 - Connie Isenhour Carroll

Year 2: 1975-1976 - Cheryl Walker Davidson

Year 3: 1976-1977 - Teresa Huffman Scott

Year 4: 1977-1978 - Jeri Baker Kemerait

Year 5: 1978-1979 - Jane Burris McLaurin

Year 6: 1979-1980 - Sandy Powell Searson

Year 7: 1980-1981 - Jill Franklin Fletcher

Year 8: 1981-1982 - Andrea Eckard Houston

Year 9: 1982-1983 - Marie Burris Wood

Year 10: 1983-1984 - Beth Jordan Puckett

Year 11: 1984-1985 - Marie Bradshaw Geissele

Year 12: 1985-1986 - Amy Hawkins Isenhour

Year 13: 1986-1987 - Kellie Beaver Melton

Year 14: 1987-1988 - Christa Hawkins Heilig

Year 15: 1988-1989 - Dana Wilson Gentry

Year 16: 1989-1990 - Heidi Weise Burmeister

Year 17: 1990-1991 - Tara Hughes McGarrigan

Year 18: 1991-1992 - Janet Cannon Byers

Year 19: 1992-1993 - Joi Franklin Kirby

Year 20: 1993-1994 - Heidi Brown Hyde

Year 21: 1994-1995 - Deidria Johnson Elliott

Year 22: 1995-1996 - Keisha Berry Bowman

Year 23: 1996-1997 - Holly HIldebran Wexler

Year 24: 1997-1998 - Carla Brannock Keaton

Year 25: 1998-1999 - Allison Berry Blackwell

Year 26: 1999-2000 - Kelly Kropiwnicki Harmon

Year 27: 2000-2001 - Kristin Camp Ramsey

Year 28: 2001-2002 - Jywana Dula

Year 29: 2002-2003 - Soutchay Labang

Year 30: 2003-2004 - Shanna Pyatt

Year 31: 2004-2005 - Stormi Kanupp Bingham

Year 32: 2005-2006 - Lydia Hodges Saunders

Year 33: 2006-2007 - Tabatha Fox Huffman

Year 34: 2007-2008 - Gladys Sarabia Estrada

Year 35: 2008-2009 - Malia Vang

Year 36: 2009-2010 - Krissy Toler Cristiano

Year 37- 2010-2011 - Haley Ewing Powell

Year 38: 2011-2012 - Alyssa Buff Hurt

Year 39: 2012-2013 - Heather Lockee McDowell

Year 40: 2013-2014 - Bailey Gragg Mitchell

Year 41: 2014-2015 – Maiv Dib Lo

Year 42: 2015-2016 - Alexis Lankford Capell

Year 43: 2016-2017 - Isabel Cardenas Gonzalez

Year 44: 2017-2018 - Bethany Manning

Year 45: 2018-2019 - Kylie Dillard

Year 46: 2019-2020 - Raegan Robinson

Year 47: 2020-2021 - Allie Cooke

Year 48: 2021-2022 - Vivian Singkhoumkong

Year 49: 2022-2023 - Piper Strong

Year 50: 2023-2024 - To be determined

Williams To Be Honored

Another event to commemorate East Burke’s 50th anniversary year will be held on Saturday, April 13, 2024 – an alumni chorus and talent presentation to honor the legacy of longtime choral director J. Jerome Williams.

At this time, the event is expected to take place in the East Burke gymnasium and anyone who was a student in the choral program at the school over the last half-century is invited to participate.

The plan is for the chorus to rehearse during the early afternoon. The chorus will be directed by past East Burke choral teachers, all of whom are East Burke graduates.

Proceeds from this event will go to the J. Jerome Williams Music Scholarship.

More information about these events, as well as updated information,  may be found online at www.AlwaysEastBurke.com or on Facebook at the Always East Burke page.

Bill Poteat is editor of The Paper. He may be reached at 828-445-8595 or via email at bill@thepaper.media.