Published: October 13, 2009 05:32 pm      

Final homecoming — Historic send-off for the Big Creek Owls

The storied history of McDowell County’s Big Creek Owls is approaching a tearful end. The final homecoming for the school will be held on Oct. 30, and plans are underway to make it one for the history books.

Faculty, staff, students, alumni and community volunteers are actively preparing for the final homecoming, which will take place at the school’s football field in War.

Activities will kick off on Thursday, Oct. 29, with the final homecoming parade beginning at 5 p.m. at Big Creek High School. The parade will proceed through town, circling and ending back at Big Creek High School. Former homecoming queens and former Miss Owl Queens are encouraged to participate, along with all alumni classes, alumni band members, civic organizations, church groups, decorated all-terrain vehicles and more.

The last homecoming game on Oct. 30 will pit the Big Creek Owls against the Burch High School Bull Dogs. It should be a great game.

All alumni, band members, cheerleaders, football players, majorettes and former homecoming queens are expected to be a part of the special pre-game coronation ceremony and half-time show.

A commemorative open house will be held at Big Creek High School on Saturday, Oct. 31, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to allow visiting alumni a final chance to tour their old high school. The program will include a reception, special video presentation and alumni sign-in table. The program, according to a press release from the city of War, will give alumni and guests a chance to visit with friends, take pictures, purchase souvenirs and make final memories at Big Creek High School.

It is always sad to say good-bye to a good school. Folks in the neighboring town of Iaeger are facing the same challenge. Hundreds of alumni returned home to Iaeger just last month for the final homecoming celebration for the Iaeger Cubs. Now it’s time for the Big Creek Owls to say good-bye.

Both Big Creek High School and Iaeger High School will be closed at the end of the current school year to make way for the new Riverview High School in Bradshaw.

In a historic school where inspirational teachers like the late Freida Riley encouraged her students to shoot for the stars, saying good-bye is never easy. By supporting the Big Creek Missile Agency, and the six young “Rocket Boys” of Coalwood, Riley helped the small high school gain national attention.

Today, the legacy of this inspirational teachers lives on, as the final chapter of the Big Creek Owls is written. We look forward to a great and historic final homecoming celebration in War.