A block print of a rainbow trout that appears in the stop motion. Photo credit: Willa Sibley Fly fishing, an intergral outdoor sport of the high country, is captured by student artists Willa Sibley in a collection of prints she designed and complied into a stop motion. To watch the video, click on the link below: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nyF3PCh-1o6QJB7wKyUTJbwUmhsYrCg7/view?usp=sharing

Performers and kids dance in a circle at Fairy Day. Fairy Day takes place every year during summer. Performers, vendors, and volunteers come together to create this magical day. “I´m definitely used to dancing in all kinds of costumes,” said Grace Young, a performer at Fairy Day. “But I will say it's a lot harder to clog when you're wearing a corset at Fairy Day and have wings on.” Photo credit: Sita Cooper. Sita Cooper, Staff Writer for The Spark. On an August day, children

Lanham and his band “The Blue Ridge Stringbenders” perform at Floyd Fest. Photo credit: Bradley Pearce Selah Greer, Editor in Chief of The Spark Most who call these mountains home have heard of Doc Watson or have been graced by his bronze smile on King Street, his hands forever frozen over the same chord. Doc is now a legend, but there is still room in the field of bluegrass for innovation. Here at Watauga High School, a new generation of old time is in the making. Clawhammer

Carolyn Clement works on a floral arrangement at a wedding venue. Reflecting back on her long career as a florist, Clement said, "At first, I felt like I didn't know what I was doing. Nothing looked like it came from a florist, which I wanted. I wanted to be more creative." Selah Greer, Editor in Chief of The Spark There are infinite possibilities to turn creativity into a career in our world where art often eludes the canvas, and for some, the only canvas required is a vase.

Rachel Ingram, who plans to attend the North Carolina School of the Arts for Stage Management, speaks at the Watauga Board meeting about the impact the Watauga Theater Department has had on her time at the high school. Photo credit: Charlie Stumb, Watauga Yearbook Carrie Bradbury, Review Desk Lead and Selah Greer, Editor of The Spark 175 students enrolled this year. Over 100 rehearsal hours for the spring musical. 65 Ross Auditorium events staffed by technical theater student

Terrariums are a low maintenance way to bring plants indoors. Our tutorial provides step by step instructions on how to make one at home. Photo Credits: Maud Boquillard, Unsplash Mitch Jasper, The Spark This how-to video can be accessed here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xf5SkLtqUKh8haqCgXVj72lDyIMzAFUc/view?usp=sharing

Photo credit: Selah Greer It engulfs the south. It eats away at old farms, power lines, and buildings. It comforts those who have grown accustomed to seeing it in their backyard. A sense of familiarity, and way to know that they're home. Falling asleep in its arms, you'd wake up entangled. It holds you close, not wanting you to leave it stranded once again. "Don't leave, I'm here to help" It offers itself to you. You'd rip away, with no promise to return. It will remain withi

As the Mothman exists alone Understanding and understood only by himself The mountain grooves lead him Up and down, left and right To where he can be set free from his thoughts For he will find his light again.

The flower blooms in the warning light The warning just before the Sun rises to ignite the sky And set aflame all my ghosts The petals unfurl in the dim blue The blue that drowns the world That I swim in peacefully I cannot bear to see it rebuild its walls To witness the end of a beauty Which is why I hide from mirrors But, in this moment, I am free from all burdens The flower is my soul My gentle glowing soul Easy breathing must end eventually Light creeps over the horizon

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 photo essay explores Rachel Whitfield, a local artist, and the symbolic jewelry she creates.

Bite down on your teeth feel the misalignment Grind down and find the roots move your jaw know reality is naught

I am homesick for an America That I never saw May never see again Sitting here freezing my ass off In position, in my apartment I recall what is gone Witness what never was

September's spent heat hums Small insects strangely aware Their time is near A body feels its boundaries More keenly in the cold

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has largely slipped out of the American media and American people's consciousness, but for Andrew Harrelson, former Watauga student and Powderhorn journalist, the ongoing war is very much a daily reality. Harrelson graduated from Watauga in 2014, and after getting a degree in English literature and writing, left the states to do humanitarian work in places like Iraq and is currently a volunteer combat medic in Ukraine. Though the transition fro