County Commission Chair Gary Shields was among many area dignitaries to attend and speak at the Oct. 18 groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the new Franklin High School (FHS). Nearly all of the 11 speakers either attended the school or had family who have attended or are attending. With hundreds of people listening in the football field bleachers, Shields reminisced about his days of less than stellar stature as a FHS student.
“At the end of my first year here in the ninth grade, I didn’t make it through the year; I got sidetracked. The second year – of the ninth grade – it seemed like [those in charge] should have given up on me, but they didn’t.” Shields went on to describe how he went to Vietnam after graduation in 1969 and eventually, in 1989, returned to FHS as the principal of the school. He would go on to lead FHS for 21 years.
Shields brought to the podium two individuals, each of whom are physically handicapped. His purpose in doing so, in part, was to emphasize the attention being placed on Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) provisions included within the design and construction of the new school.
Sam McClure went to Vietnam in 1965, returned with one leg less due to an injury incurred during his tour of duty. McClure told about how he returned to FHS in the Fall of 1967 to attend a football game.
“I entered the west gate and the EMS didn’t have any ambulances available for injuries. But an attendant helped me to the hearse [that was being used as an ambulance] and I watched the football game from the front seat of the hearse. I would like to see everything accessible for the handicapped as possible.”
Next, 2023 FHS graduate Patrick Faetz spoke. Faetz was featured in a video that was filmed in order to demonstrate difficulties encountered by students with disabilities when maneuvering around the current high school buildings.
“I look forward to the day when all students can access all parts of our high school, including students with disabilities. Many of the students at our current campus feel, ‘I deserve better – we all deserve better.’”
When Town of Franklin Mayor Jack Horton approached the podium, he quoted the late, great UCLA basketball coach John Wooden stating, “It’s amazing how much you can get done when nobody cares who gets the credit.”
The mayor lauded all the people who played a part in bringing the project to that point. He also elicited laughter with his reference to a ground-bound amphibian.
“You know, when you see a box turtle on a fence post, you can pretty much bet he didn’t get there by himself.” That reference again pointed to the many hands that played a role in getting the FHS project up and running.
N.C. Senator Kevin Corbin and Representative Karl Gillespie spoke.
“Nobody will remember what we said 20 years from now, but we’re all going to remember this day because of the historic day it is for Franklin High School,” said Corbin.
Representative Gillespie followed Corbin and expressed thankfulness for the Franklin area being spared what other areas of the state have suffered in the wake of Hurricane Helene.
“Our friends to the east have had mass devastation. There are schools that are gone, there are football fields that are gone,” sits Gillespie. He went on to thank Macon County Commissioners, school board administrators and members, FHS teachers, and others involved in enabling the project to continue forward.
Before current FHS Principal Blair King closed out ceremonial remarks, two students also spoke to the impact of the project. Junior Addix Sutton and senior Shelby Adams each expressed their sentiments concerning how students will benefit from a new high school building and environment.
“For over 75 years, Franklin High School has stood as a beacon in the heart of our town. It’s more than just a place for education, it’s been a cornerstone of our identity, shaping both our community and our culture,” said Sutton. “Its influence runs deep, not only in athletics and academics but also in the way it brings our town together.”
Adams continued, “On behalf of the student body, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who made this possible; from the educators and the administrators, Macon County [School] Board members and parents. Your dedication and sacrifices are going to change the future generations of our community for the better. And I can say with confidence that we are all really grateful.”
Closing out the event, standing with shovels in hand and hardhats donned, 24 of those who contributed in some way to the project participated in a “breaking ground” process, whereby they each scooped a shovel of dirt and tossed it back to the ground. The act signified the next stage of the new high school project that is scheduled to be completed by July 2027, with the Class of ’28 being the first to graduate from the facility.
Photo, top: MANY LOCAL dignitaries and school administrators were on hand Oct. 18 for the formal groundbreaking presentation and ceremony for the new Franklin High School. Photo by Ronnie Vanhook