October is filled with corn mazes, fall hikes, brave escapes out of haunted houses, and most importantly, Halloween. For Jacob Sigmon, the Halloween season means hiding in a dark room at Tweetsie Railroad and scaring anyone who dares to come his way. Even before his stint as a scare actor, Sigmon took part in theatre opportunities at Watauga to prepare for the role.

Students at Watauga High School express themselves through many mediums. Some students, like Oliver Blain, choose the medium of music as a way to leave their mark on the world.

As one of the few English Language Development teachers working for Watauga County Schools, Stephanie Ballance plays an important role in supporting students across both Watauga High School and Valle Crucis School. With much of her time dedicated to helping students succeed, finding time for her own interests can be challenging. However, outside the classroom, Ballance has a longstanding passion for ceramics, an art form she has continued to explore since childhood.

Two Ceramics students, Abigail Holland and Blue Davis, throw pottery on the wheel in the Ceramics classroom. Their pieces will eventually go in the kiln to be glazed and fired, but currently, the delay in the installation of a new vent in the room with the kilns is significantly slowing down the firing process and creating challenges for the Ceramics teacher, Mr. Sam Brown, that will only intensify next semester. "[Not having adequate ventilation in the room with the kilns] h

A quilt square on the side of a barn in Valle Crucis, NC. Photo credit: Willa Sibley Willa Sibley, Staff Writer for The Spark Whether it's a method by a farmer to protect their farm, a communication method, or a way to add bright decorations to a barn, quilt squares have had several uses since they first appeared in the United States in the early 17th Century. To see a photo essay highlighting the many colorful barn quilts of Watauga County, follow this link: https://sites.go

Cameron Winter, the lead singer of Geese, plays the guitar and sings at Hellbender in Asheville, North Carolina, on September 30, 2026. Photo Creds: Willa Sibley Willa Sibley, Staff Writer for The Spark Over the summer a well-known concert venue in Asheville, The Orange Peel, opened a new outdoor space along the Swannanoa River called the Hellbender. This area was previously devastated by Hurricane Helene. Among the first artists to perform there is the band Geese during thei

Pam Fish, one of the artists at Art In The Park, presents her colorful work to her customers. "I started [macramé] back in college" said Fish, "and then picked it [back] up 10 years ago." Valentina Miranda Castro, Staff Writer for The Spark. Art In The Park in Blowing Rock has been a venue for juried artists to showcase their work and sell pieces for decades. To see a photo essay on the last Art In The Park of the 2026 season, follow this link: https://sites.google.com/watau

For students at Watauga High School, there are many ways to get involved in activities, like joining clubs, playing sports, or participating in theater. But for some, creating art on their own is what calls to them.

When Hurricane Helene swept through the southern Appalachian mountains in late September of 2024, she left many things in her wake: destruction and death, blocked roads and valley-wide rivers. But among those things Helene left behind were poets, who gathered together to tell their personal stories of the flood in the poetry anthology “Had I a Dove.”

Painting of a girl walking through space with books standing tall on both her sides. The mural is located outside the Media Center and is one of the first Watauga High School students see upon arrival. Sita Cooper, Staff Writer for The Spark Through multiple generations of WHS students, the hallways have become filled with color and creativity. To see this photo essay cpaturing the high schools many unique murals and hear more about the artists that created them, follow this

Students participate in fiddle lessons at the summer fiddle intensive founded by John Cockman. Four levels of fiddle are taught every Tuesday night during the season. “We have instructors that volunteer their time and people bring food, so it’s a really great time,” said John Cockman. Photo credits: John Cockman. Zoe Critcher, Staff Writer for The Spark Hidden at the top of John V. Cook road from May to August lies a community of High Country tradition. There, students of all

Selah Greer, Editor of The Spark Submissions are now open for our annual scary story contest! Send us spooky short stories, poems, songs, or art of an kind for a chance to win a Hatchet gift card by following this link: https://forms.gle/1jSKc8WX9sUkeEYE9 or email you submissions to thesparkwatauga@gmail.com

Zoe Critcher, Staff Writer for The Spark Listen to our student submitted fall playlist by clicking on the following link: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3Gt77dUFMM569dinaS91V4?si=VvSCetWwTeySFolJyf6enQ&utm_source=sms&pi=TxMSYPVmSZ6if

This mini documentary dives into AudioVox, Watauga's competitive a cappella ensemble.

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