Before Watauga senior Riley Olson imagined herself in the United States Air Force Academy, she was learning the skills of operating a saw mill and how to stay calm beside falling trees. With intense physical labor, Olson helped operate the crane on her father’s sawmill. As trees fell down, Olson learned how to juggle several things at once; it was an experience that made applying to the Air Force feel achievable.

This short documentary explores the history of Cherokee in the high country and the tribes tradition of storytelling, and features an interview with Patricia Winddancer Davis, a Cherokee clan mother. To find out more, follow this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OtDgpvail8.

The Hospitality House pictured from a road above the non-profit on a gloomy day in February. Pictured are solar panels on the roof, which are often used to provide sustainable energy to a building. Photo Creds: Chloe Greer Chloe Greer, Photo Essay Desk Lead The homeless community is constantly longing for help and assistance, yet society has created an undeniably negative stigma that gives people in need a bad reputation. It is common that people do not put time, energy, or m

Members of Mountain Alliance visit Savannah, Georgia to learn more about the environment and spend valuable time outside. From left to right, top row Evelyn Whitmore, Anneliese Daugherty, Thang Pham, Samuel Cheves, bottom row Olive Malay, Zadie Meier, Eleanor Connell, Theresa Copenhaver, Maddox Gerrish, and William Lynn. Photo creds: Theresa Copenhaver Carrie Bradbury, Review Desk Lead In the age of social media, video games, and other technology-driven activities, younger ge

Lauren Okubo Peviani, Staff Writer for The Powderhorn, introduces the Watauga High School's Graduating Class of 2026 through a 5-minute video featuring eight seniors.

Two small rural schools come together to discuss the similarities and differences of their high school's opportunities, culture, and their overall experiences. This video interview can be accessed here:

Watauga’s school culture has always owed much to the theater department. Between the annual musical and the numerous class plays, there is something theater-related happening all year long. One person who makes this possible is Ms. Sarah Miller, one of the two theater teachers. Between her thirty years of teaching in North Carolina and her twenty years at Watauga, she has become a fixture of the school and guided the theater department toward being the organized, well-oiled m

A photo of Watauga County’s city hall, located at 814 West King Street in downtown Boone. Photo Credits: wataugacounty.org Grant Painter, Staff Writer for The Powderhorn While typical Watauga High School seniors find themselves focusing on college applications, studying for AP tests, and deciding which prom group they’ll be a part of, Lucy Dees finds herself balancing those traditional high school concerns with town council agendas, meetings, and municipal policy as an intern

4TM rehearsing at bassist Oliver Blain’s house. Photo Credits: Oliver Blain. Pictured left to right: Brayden Mack, Oliver Blain, Jedidiah Verling. The band often holds rehearsals and records demo tracks at Blain’s house. Ian Biles, Staff Writer for The Powderhorn Boone’s music scene is a vibrant community. The town's unique mix of bluegrass history and newer indie and metal scenes combine to create a music environment that is entirely unique. Boone’s music scene has produ

Picture of Dr. Wayne Eberle for the Watauga County School District. “My current role and current title are Director of Testing Accountability and Federal Programs,” said Eberle. “I moved to the Central Office in 2011, and I’ve always had testing, I’ve always had the school calendar, which is the snow day calls and things of that nature, and I am responsible for bringing all of our policy and legal updates that come from the North Carolina School Board Association before our B

Snow-covered trees in Boone continue to produce berries despite the ongoing winter storms that have hit the town in the past couple weeks. Though weighed down by persistent snowfall, the branches remain strong. Photo by: Carrie Bradbury Carrie Bradbury, Review Desk Lead For hundreds of students in Watauga County, one phone call is the make or break of their good day. The unmistakable voice of Dr. Wayne Eberle comes through their parents’ phone and announces to all students an

Two schools. Two different environments. Two different experiences for one teacher. Ms. Ogle, the Entrepreneurship and Sports Marketing teacher at Watauga High School, previously taught for nine years at South Mecklenburg High School in Charlotte, North Carolina.

A new semester means new classes, new lunches, and new routines. For students, the spring semester promises spring break and AP exams, as well as new teachers and challenges. For Olivia Pound, the spring semester is her first as a science teacher at Watauga High School.

This podcast highlights Xitlali Luna, a sophomore, and her various contributions across Watauga High School.

Lily Stough competes in outdoor track at Randy Marion Track and Field Facility. Photo Credits: Lily Stough Jillian Studebaker, Staff Writer for The Powderhorn Throughout Watauga High School, there are many talented athletes who have brought recognition to both themselves and the school. Whether it’s running, a ball sport or even a less-recognized one, there are many people who excel at what they do. Senior Lily Stough is a talented runner who has been getting a lot of recogni

Running on a scenic trail with trees, flowers, and grass for 3.1 miles. Lungs and legs are dying, but hundreds of athletes keep running. Those athletes continue to preserve because this is cross country.

Kathryn Gray at Lake James in her uniform. “ This job combines both of the things that I love doing. I love getting kids outside. It's really nice to teach in that environmental sense, getting kids to think about nature, even simple things like having them draw what's in front of them, not what they think it should look like,” said Gray. Photo Credit: Kathryn Gray Aspen Hickman, Staff Writer for The Powderhorn For years, Kathryn Gray was a beloved teacher at Watauga High Scho

To Move Mountains, headquartered in Boone, North Carolina, carries out impactful work that extends all the way to the Nuba Mountains of Sudan. Their mission is to “equip, instill, and restore” education programs, rebuild communities, and support children through conflict. Photo Cred: To Move Mountains Website Sofia Carmichael, Community Desk Lead for The Powderhorn As high schoolers, most WHS students are preparing for the traditional journey of attending college, joining the

Ellary Smith and her fellow band members, Emma Bishop and Booth Basset, perform at The Cat’s Cradle in Carrboro, North Carolina, on September 19, 2025. Photo cred: Ellary Smith. Anna Norris, Editor in Chief of The Powderhorn Growing up in Watauga County offers a unique opportunity to experience kindergarten through 12th grade with the same classmates, explore the various outdoor activities, and excel academically. While the community in Boone is built on unwavering support a

Chloe Weigl shoots a 38 earlier this fall that led the Lady Pioneers to win a conference match on September 10th, 2025. Photo Credits: Chloe Weigl Ella Hudzik, Staff Writer for the Powderhorn Chloe Weigl, a standout on Watauga High School’s women’s golf team, led her team to the 6A State Championship this season. Golf, a sport that demands precision, patience, and repetition, is often overlooked compared to more traditional high school sports but Weigl’s performance put the s