Deerfield Ridge Assisted Living and Memory Care, a local nursing home here in Boone. Photo Cred: Navion Senior Solutions Sofia Carmichael, Community Desk Lead We often view the holiday season as a time of warmth and love, a time to spend with family and friends. We gather around a fireplace or a dining room table and celebrate the festive times together, but for those living in nursing homes and those who are unable to visit their families, these times can be hard.  Amanda Be

The official Broadway poster for “ Matilda The Musical” , Photo credits: The Royal Shakespeare Company By Ian Biles, Staff Writer for The Powderhorn Sarah Miller has been teaching theater at Watauga High School for over 30 years. In that time, Miller and the theater program have received praise at the district, state, and national levels, with Miller herself receiving a nomination for the Excellence in Theater Education award at the Tonys, and a student-written play, “Surge,”

This photo essay features Venture, a local business specializing in gourmet chocolate and wine, as well as books and flowers.

This podcast investigates student perspectives on the books they read for assigned reading as part of their English classes. It can be accessed here:

As winter weather creeps upon us, and snowy streets and hanging icicles become a common sight, skiers and snowboarders alike are beginning their season on the slopes. With Appalachian Ski Mountain’s recent opening on Saturday, November 29, 2025, the Watauga High School Ski and Snowboard Club is in full swing, with plenty of big plans and exciting developments this winter season.

To be a high schooler in North Carolina is to know about UNC-Chapel Hill. Consistently receiving the most applications among North Carolina schools, with a record of over 57,000 first-year applicants for Fall 2022, UNC Chapel Hill is the most applied-to public university in the state. 

Mr. Braswell standing in the kitchen of his Foods classroom. Mr. Braswell is in his first year of teaching at the high school. He has been a student of the culinary arts since he was 14 and has always enjoyed butchery. “I think butchery is one of the most fascinating parts. I love watching something go from being an animal into what we eat, and being able to have full ultimate control over the waste and how it's utilized.” (Photo Credits: Jax Marsh) Jax Marsh, Staff Writer fo

An array of North Carolina college pamphlets, including UNC-Chapel Hill, NC State, and UNC Charlotte. In recent years, over half of Watauga High School graduates have chosen to attend a 4-year university or 2-year institution after graduation. Photo credits: Bethany Atwood Bethany Atwood, Staff Writer for The Powderhorn The jumps from college applications to applying to scholarships to finally waiting for decisions can create what feels like a never-ending season of stress. T

Students exiting Watauga High School after the school day on November 18. Students at Watauga have 4 classes a day, each lasting almost an hour and a half, where they learn a variety of subjects and skills. Photo Credit: Aspen Hickman Aspen Hickman, Staff Writer for The Powderhorn We’ve all said it. In math, science, history, english. Why do I need to learn this? When will I ever use this in real life? When you’re doing endless worksheets with imaginary numbers or sitting thr

As winter sets in and December draws near, many Boone residents have the same holiday hallmark on their minds: Christmas trees. North Carolina is the country’s second-largest producer of Fraser fir trees, right behind Oregon.

Watauga County has a culture deeply rooted in music, with many young people focusing their energy on playing instruments. And events like Boonerang and Music in the Valle solidify this musical atmosphere.

Tradition is defined as “the transmission of customs or beliefs from generation to generation, or the fact of being passed on in this way.” Each Halloween, that definition plays out in a very special way in Downtown Boone, where the usual routines shift into a celebration locals have grown up with.

The front of the New Valle Crucis School, soon before its opening. Photo credits: April Vance Ian Biles, Staff Writer for the Powderhorn Valle Crucis School students are finally reunited in one building. The new Valle Crucis school, opened October 22, 2025, ends a year-long period of separated education caused by flooding from Hurricane Helene.  The damage forced middle, elementary, and kindergarten students to relocate to temporary school sites.  The middle school students t

At Watauga High School, students are given the opportunity from sophomore year on to dual enroll as a Caldwell student. This gives students access to vast online and in-person college courses that expand fundamental classroom knowledge and allow students to explore subjects they are passionate about.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) official logo. Photo Creds: USDA Food and Nutrition Service. Grant Painter, Staff Writer for The Powderhorn  This week, the United States finds itself in what is now the longest government shutdown in this country’s history. As the shutdown continues, it disrupts several processes within the US government, including food assistance for families in need. “Longer shutdowns are certainly impactful on state and local governments,”

Un atardecer en el campus de NCSSM, localizado en Durham. Después de un día largo, los estudiantes se juntan para admirar la vista en camino a sus dormitorios. Créditos de la foto: Sophie Parker.   Lauren Peviani, escritoria de The Powderhorn Translated by Alex Gonzalez Silva La Escuela de Ciencia y Matemáticas de Norte Carolina, a veces abreviada como NCSSM, es una escuela secundaria pública altamente prestigiosa para estudiantes entre el estado que sienten pasión por seguir

The North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics, often abbreviated as NCSSM, is a highly prestigious public high school for students all over the state passionate about pursuing a career in STEM.

Finding a sense of community is an important part of the high school experience. At Watauga High School, programs like Mountain Alliance, sports teams, and a variety of clubs help students to find “their people.”

Senior Ireland Laxton in her scrubs, getting ready for her internship at the Animal Hospital of Boone.  Photo Cred: Ireland Laxton Sofia Carmichael, Community Desk Lead High school is a time of discovery and opportunity. Students join new clubs and sports, make new friends, explore academics, and learn new crucial life skills. However, they are always haunted by the question: “What do you want to do when you graduate?” Luckily, Watauga High School has plenty of great opportun

The Future Teachers of America Club is an organization that provides students with in-field experiences and volunteer opportunities that prepare them for a teaching career.