Graham High School (Bluefield, Virginia)
| Graham High School | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Address | |
 | |
210 Valleydale Street , 24605 United States | |
| Coordinates | 37°14′12.11″N 81°16′11.98″W / 37.2366972°N 81.2699944°WCoordinates: 37°14′12.11″N 81°16′11.98″W / 37.2366972°N 81.2699944°W |
| Information | |
| School type | Public, high school |
| Founded | 1914 |
| School district | Tazewell County Public Schools |
| Superintendent | Dr. Christopher Stacy |
| Principal | Joanne Young |
| Grades | 9-12 |
| Enrollment | 520 (2017–18)[1] |
| Language | English |
| Color(s) | Cardinal and Gold for Athletics Maroon and Grey for Academics |
| Athletics conference | AA Southwest District A Region C |
| Nickname | G-Men And G-Girls |
| Rival | Richlands High School Bluefield High School |
| Feeder schools | Graham Middle School |
| Website | Official Site |
Graham High School is a public high school located in Bluefield, Virginia across the state line from Bluefield, West Virginia in Tazewell County, Virginia, as a part of Tazewell County Public Schools. Graham is fully accredited in accordance with the Virginia Standards of Learning, and can boast of above-average numbers of students passing the yearly Virginia Standards of Learning examinations. Athletic teams compete in the Virginia High School League's Group AA Southwest District, in which they have recently joined in 2017 after a realignment from the VHSL. The school was formerly in the Group A Mountain Empire District. Notable school state titles include:
Football: 1962, 1989, 1995, 2018
Men's Basketball: 1955
Women's Basketball: 1922
Women's Tennis: 1999
Creative Writing: 1971, 1974, 1995, 1999
Theatre: 1997, 1999
Golf : 2013
Competition Cheerleading : 2016
History[]
Graham High School was first established as a secondary school in 1914, serving grades 9-12 in what was then known as the town of Graham, Virginia (now Bluefield). The cornerstone for building located on Greever Avenue, also known as, "The Hill", was laid on May 26, 1914. J.O. Faulkner was the first principal, and there were 107 students enrolled in the high school. (A total of 611 students, in primary, grammar, and high school grades, attended school in the building which could accommodate 750).
Graham High School grew its facilities at the end of 2010 when they opened up a new weight lifting facility and football locker room. They also unveiled a new gymnasium that serves as a practice gym for the men's and women's basketball teams and is the location where the Bluefield, VA recreational basketball league hosts many of its games. The gym has 2 full size courts along with men's and women's locker rooms.
In 2016, the Tazewell County School Board promoted Cynthia Beavers, former assistant principal, to be the first female principal ever to have a tenure at Graham High School.
The classic Graham/Beaver football game is the biggest event each year for the two Bluefields. This game between cross-city rivals Graham High School and Bluefield High School is the area's largest sporting event. It is held at Mitchell Stadium, which is within West Virginia by a mere 500 feet, and is shared by both schools. In 1991, the two schools were featured on the ESPN show Scholastic Sports America for having one of the largest high school football rivalries on the East Coast. With average crowds of at least ten thousand, the game is the talk of the town year after year. The Beavers hold a winning record over Graham in the series, 62-25-2.
Alma mater[]
The Graham High School alma mater is the tune to "Far Above Cayuga's Waters."
- Nestled near East River's ridges, with its lines of blue
- Stands our noble alma mater, glorious to view.
- G-Men faithful, G-Girls grateful,
- Conquer and prevail.
- Hail to thee our Alma Mater.
- Graham High, all hail!
Fight song[]
Extracurricular activities[]
Graham High School offers a variety of clubs and activities. Among these clubs are: , Interact Club, , Future Business Leaders of America, Students Against Destructive Decisions, Beta, Cadre, Book Club, DECA, , and .
Notable alumni[]
- Bill Dudley: 1935–1939, attended the University of Virginia, awarded the Maxwell Award, and was drafted with the 1st pick of the 1942 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers.
- Ahmad Bradshaw: 2000–2004, attended Marshall University and was drafted with the 250th pick in the 7th round of the 2007 NFL Draft by the New York Giants. Two time Super Bowl Champion
References[]
- ^ "Graham High". National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved November 6, 2019.
- ^ http://fightmusic.com/mp3/big10/Illinois__Illinois_Loyalty.mp3
External links[]
- Schools in Tazewell County, Virginia
- Public high schools in Virginia
- Educational institutions established in 1914
- 1914 establishments in Virginia