Picture of Laura England’s various efforts to promote environmental and sustainability education throughout the High Country. Photo Credits: Sustainability Department at Appalachian State University Ebe Santes, Staff Member for Watauga 10 Climate change is not a distant issue. It is a present and growing challenge that affects ecosystems, communities, and everyday life. From shifting weather patterns to more frequent extreme events, its impacts are becoming harder and harder

The paths a senior can take following graduation are many, and it’s easy to become overwhelmed or lost in the options. College, trade school, and the military are just a few popular paths, but not every senior finds the fit they’re looking for through these opportunities. Because of this, many seniors choose to take a gap year, a break between high school and college or between high school and a career. This time can be spent traveling, volunteering, and working on personal g

Students at Watauga High School have no limit on the extracurriculars they can join to challenge their knowledge in a variety of academic pursuits. From HOSA to DECA, students can pursue most interests beyond the classroom further, and the competitions they offer allow students to take home medals and trophies as recognition for their hard work. One of Watauga’s lesser-known but incredibly wide-ranging competition teams is SkillsUSA, which provides an environment where CTE kn

A Jones House Jam Session. These sessions have people from around the community come together and share traditional folk music and stories. Photo Cred: Mark Freed   Sofia Carmichael, Community Desk Lead  A banjo, a dulcimer, a haunting melody, and rich storytelling. These are all the elements you might hear in music from the Appalachian region, but what you might not know is how Appalachian folklore has shaped this music tradition. The Appalachian region is cemented by its st

A school year at Watauga High is accompanied by events, games, productions, and countless traditions. Nearly all upperclassmen students anticipate one exciting event most out of the year, and that is prom. Between all of the pretty flowers, fancy outfits, good food, and a night full of dancing, prom never fails to be one of the most enjoyable events of the year. While it may be full of fun and dancing, a lot of planning and preparation go into the perfect night. 

Carrie Bradbury, Review Desk Lead This series of multimedia infographics cover the impact of climate change and environmental sustainability on Fraser Firs Trees. It can be accessed through the following link: https://sites.google.com/wataugaschools.org/fraserfirsthecadillacofchristm/home

Cosmetology students work together to learn skills, often practicing on each other or manikins. Spending time with peers while learning new skills is one aspect of cosmetology that makes it so unique. Photo creds: Carrie Bradbury Abbi Clark, Sports Desk Lead and Carrie Bradbury, Review Desk lead for The Powderhorn This multimedia website explores the importance of the Cosmetology program at Watauga High School. It can be accessed through the following link: https://sites.goog

With primary election season in full swing, Watauga teachers are also casting a different ballot. Every year, teachers vote on a Teacher of the Year. This year, that teacher is Mrs. Kourtney Rabinowitz. 

The Milano Cortina 2026 logo. The logo was nicknamed “Logo Futura” to represent the themes of sportsmanship, sustainability, and solidarity among the teams. Photo Cred: Olympics.com   Sofia Carmichael, Community Desk Lead The 2026 Winter Olympics, held in Milan Cortina, Italy, took place from February 6, 2026 to February 22, 2026. The opening ceremony on February 6 started the games in spectacular fashion, featuring performances by Mariah Carey and Andrea Bocelli. Over 93 cou

2025 Graduate Will Bradbury during Air Force Academy basic training. Basic training for the USAFA lasts for more than 7 weeks, as cadets undergo intense physical conditioning and gain the valuable discipline necessary for success.  Photo Credits: United States Air Force Academy  Isaac James, Staff Writer for The Powderhorn As the school year comes to a close, seniors are making their decisions on where to go next. While many will enter a 4-year university or go into the workf

A poster for Watauga’s Empty Bowls event hangs on a bulletin board at Watauga High School. Empty Bowls has existed for more than 30 years. Photo Credit: Aspen Hickman Aspen Hickman, Staff Writer for The Powderhorn In 1990, a ceramics teacher in Michigan wanted to participate in a local food drive with his students. This began Empty Bowls, an event that has spread across the country and the world. Watauga’s own Empty Bowls will be held on March 21st from 4:00 to 6:00. “Empty B

Watauga High School was recently awarded by the College Board for high AP test scores and increased enrollment in AP classes. Last year 89% of the students at WHS who took an AP class scored a 3 or higher on their exam, a 7% increase from the previous year. There were also a total of 339 AP students.

Research has become one of the most powerful ways for students to stand out in college admissions, yet it remains an overlooked extracurricular. Beyond demonstrating curiosity, it shows admission officers that students had the initiative to learn beyond the classroom. It builds the skills needed by leaders, researchers, and entrepreneurs, demonstrating that college students can contribute to knowledge rather than simply consume it.

AudioVox, Watauga High School’s competitive a cappella group, took a trip down to Biloxi, Mississippi, to compete in the International Championship of High School A Cappella (ICHSA). This was the first time that anyone from the Watauga choral program ventured to an a capella competition such as this one.

Snow, wind, and ice often come to mind when thinking about mountains and ski slopes. But fire? Fire is often the last thing that comes to mind. Unfortunately, the community of Beech Mountain, NC, had no choice but to think about the inferno that engulfed their homes. One member of the Beech Mountain community is freshman Watauga student, Leila McTier.

Watauga High School uses a unique scheduling system where certain classes are available as “blocks” that are every day for one semester, and other classes are “A/B”, every other day for the full year. While this scheme allows students to take classes in a structure better suited for individual courses, it also creates repeated issues and headaches for students and administrators alike. This year the A/B pairings have moved from second and third block to first and second.

Senior Emma McGinnis’s freshman year Art 1 self-portrait as a baby. McGinnis now serves as the president of the National Art Honors Society.“I appreciate her willingness to put forth a lot of effort in class & into club life. I believe Emma obtained many art & life skills from all her effort and dedication throughout her time at WHS,” said Dacia Trethewey. Photo Credit: Dacia Trethewey Lauren Peviani, Staff Writer for The Powderhorn Four years ago, many of this year’s seniors

Generative AI has a strong argument for the most impactful technological advance of the last 50 years. It also has the potential to impact nearly every aspect of American society, from schooling to government to, surprisingly, the environment.  These far-reaching impacts are already demonstrating short-term negative effects. While it's impossible to predict what the future long-term effects could look like, AI is certainly changing the way the world works. 

Sophomore Julia Benson, senior Luke Benson, and sophomore Riley Benson taking a picture outside their house for WHS Homecoming 2025. Photo Credits: Julia Benson Jillian Studebaker, Staff Writer for The Powderhorn In Watauga County, there are many options for schooling to fit each student and family’s needs. One popular choice in the county is homeschooling. Watauga has a large number of students who are homeschooled or are in the process of switching to homeschool. This is du