Hurricanes and Warriors will reignite Holston community spirit with a celebration at Holston Middle School on Thursday (Jan. 11).
The event will feature both a ribbon cutting for the Hurricanes’ new gymnasium floor and a tribute to the legacy of the 60-year-old school’s original incarnation, Holston High School, the Warriors.
Kathryn Lutton, now in her second year as principal of Holston Middle, says school tours will start at 2 p.m., followed by a hospitality hour at 3:30. A dedication of the gym floor will take place at 5:30, in between a girls’ basketball game at 4:30 and a boys’ basketball game at 6.
Knox County Commissioner Bob Thomas, Holston High Class of 1972, will speak during the ceremony “about his time at Holston and what it meant to him,” Lutton said. “Then we will present the gymnasium floor to the Holston community and have a small ceremony to commemorate the legacy of Holston High School.
“We needed a new gymnasium floor in a desperate way,” said Lutton. “A portion of the floor had become water damaged, and we needed to replace and refinish it.
“We didn’t have the funds to go ahead last year, so we wanted to make that push. We fund-raised that through alums, the PTSA and the student body through coupon books.
“The ceremony will also serve to commemorate the Holston Warriors. There aren’t many elements in the school to show that legacy. Holston High had an excellent band, an excellent football team and basketball team and excellent academics. All we have currently is a portion of our trophy case that commemorates that.”
Lutton said this is an exciting time to connect with the community because the middle-school rezoning taking place next school year will bring back to Holston students currently zoned for Carter.
Those attending festivities on Thursday should keep in mind that school, 600 N. Chilhowee Drive, gets out at 3:30 p.m. Parking will be available in the main lot next to the entrance and the lot behind the gym. To register for a tour, call the school office at 865-594-1300.
Holston Middle School today
Holston High School in 1962