This multimedia project takes an in-depth look into the Class of 2026 as their move onto the next stages of their lives, showcasing popular college decisions, reflections on time spent at Watauga, and a baby picture gallery.

Jesse Carswell, el director del programa ALP Twilight en la escuela secundaria Watauga. El programa Twilight ofrece casi todos los cursos que un estudiante de secundaria puede tomar. “Ofrecemos todos los cursos necesarios para graduarse. Ofrecemos un número limitado de optativas. Actualmente no estamos haciendo educación física, y tienes que tener eso y RCP, que no ofrecemos aquí”, dijo Carswell. “Aparte de eso, ofrecemos inglés del uno al cuatro,biología, ciencias físicas, c

Jesse Carswell, the ALP Twilight Director at Watauga High School. The Twilight program offers just about every course that a high school student can take. “Every course necessary to graduate, we offer. We offer a limited number of electives. We're not currently doing PE, and you have to have that and CPR, which we don't offer here,” said Carswell. “Other than that, we offer English one through four, biology, physical science, earth science, math one through four and fundament

Picture on the trail at Philmont Scout Ranch. Photo Credit: Oliver Blain. “There were thousands of trails at Philmont,” Said Oliver Blain. “I had an amazing time exploring all of them and getting to spend time with my scout group.” Ian Biles, Staff Writer for The Powderhorn Eastern Tennessee, the bottom of the Shenandoah, and the Blue Ridge Parkway are all world-class places to camp and backpack. All of these amazing locations are at most an hour and a half from Boone. Becau

Kellie Reed Ashcraft (Right) and Sophia Da Camara (Left) at the Town of Boone’s Fair Housing Summit. Photo Credits: Watauga Housing Council Brayden Howard, Staff Writer for The Powderhorn Homelessness and housing insecurity is often regarded as one of the greatest challenges to organized society, and most governments dedicate substantial resources and time towards decreasing the cost of housing and increasing its accessibility. But governments aren’t the only groups capable o

Photo Creds: SfL+a Construction Grant Painter, Staff Writer for The Powderhorn Introduction If you’ve ever taken a class on the basement floor at Watauga High School, you’d be familiar with the hum emanating from the walls, especially in the dead-center 1200 hall. That hum you heard isn’t just the automotive classes. Two large pumps behind the wall power the school’s geothermal heat system. Those pumps are just some of the key components in a large, complex system that helps

A finales de 2019, comenzaron a circular noticias sobre un nuevo virus llamado coronavirus que se estaba propagando en China. Pronto, este brote se convirtió en una epidemia. Unos meses después, la pandemia del coronavirus azotó al mundo entero. El virus era altamente letal y contagioso, por lo que la cuarentena fue necesaria para garantizar la seguridad de la sociedad. El mundo comenzó a experimentar esta situación hace más de seis años, pero sus repercusiones aún se sienten

In late 2019, news began to spread about a new virus called Coronavirus that was breaking out in China. Soon this outbreak became an epidemic. After a few more months, the Coronavirus pandemic took the world by storm. The virus was highly deadly and contagious, so a quarantine was necessary to ensure society’s safety. The world first began to experience this over 6 years ago, but its ripple effects are still felt today. COVID-19 was life changing for everybody.

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.

Jillian Studebaker, Staff Writer for The Powderhorn, interviews Mia Stacy about her experiences as a high school student taking courses strictly through Caldwell Community College. To access this video, click on the following

Ella Hudzik, Staff Writer for The Powderhorn This photo-essay dives into the rich paranormal history of Lees-McRae and the legends that flourish on its campus. To explore this photo essay, click here: https://sites.google.com/wataugaschools.org/ellahudzik-hauntedleesmcrae?usp=sharing

By Mitch Jasper, Co-Editor of The Spark This site features an interview with student Delilah Wurth about her poem, "Respect" highlighting the struggles of those who experience substance abuse and homelessness. To view the poem and interview, follow this link: https://sites.google.com/wataugaschools.org/respect?usp=sharing

Tom Dula's grave in Wilkes County Selah Greer, Editor of The Spark “Hang your head, Tom Dooley / Hang your head and cry / You killed poor Laurie Foster / And you know you're bound to die.” “Gentleman, do you see this hand? Does it tremble?’ Dula called out to the crowd gathered to witness his execution, holding his right hand high. “I never hurt a hair on that girl's head.” These would be Tom Dula’s last words. Moments later, his body would hang lifeless from the Statesville

This video dives into the welding department at Watauga High School and the vast opportunities it offers students who want to go straight into the workforce.

This video dives into the cosmetology department at Watauga High School and the vast opportunities it offers students who want to go straight into the workforce.

Eli Bishop, Editor in Chief of Watauga 10 This photo essay features fly fishing opportunities in the High Country. Its high elevation, cool waters, and shaded cover and homes for fish from the abundant trees and rocks, provides a wonderful fly-fishing experience for all anglers. It can be accessed through the following link: Fly Fishing in the High Country

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

Junior Zoe Nelsen climbing at a gym. Photo Credits: Zoe Nelsen. Andrew Larsen, Staff Writer for The Powderhorn Throughout Watauga High School, many students engage in sports by joining school teams or local clubs. A large number of students participate in solo sports, one of the largest being climbing. Students flock to local indoor climbing centers such as Center 45 and the Appalachian State SRC, and climb outdoors at various locations on the Parkway and the Greenway. While

This video reviews a variety of fall-themed food and drinks across Boone. It can be accessed on YouTube through this link.

This multimedia project documents three talented Watauga students.