Many of you have been following these events on facebook. Those who have not, here is a write-up from the
TDB:
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| Teachers at Tryon High School in 1972 included: (top row) Charles Stafford, Geofrey Tennant, Elmo Neal, Michael Pearson, Franklin McKaig, Coke Foster and Barry Flood; (bottom row) Kathleen West, Margaret Rawlins, Annette Stafford, Mable Cowan, Carol Lawrence, Jean Pettigrew and Margaret Mize. (photo from 1992 Tryon High Yearbook)
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Tryon High reunion set for July 22
Published 6:09pm Friday, July 13, 2012
Whether it’s “Elmo” (the Tryon Tiger), freshmen being thrown over the bushes, eating Gertrude Taylor’s cooking or riding on the bus with Ethel Mae Morrison, many area residents have strong memories of their time at Tryon High School.
“A Day to Remember,” a reunion for anyone who attended Tryon High, is planned for Sunday, July 22 at 3 p.m. at Harmon Field. Music will be provided by deejay Bob Followay (50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s and current music), and guests will share a potluck dinner. All who ever attended Tryon schools are invited to attend the reunion and bring a potluck dish.
It’s been 20 years since Tryon High School existed. The last class graduated in 1992 with 32 graduates. From 1989 until 1992, students at Tryon and Polk Central high schools attended separate schools but played sports together as the Polk County Wolverines while waiting for the new Polk County High School to be constructed. The first class of Polk County High School graduated in 1993.
The days of Tryon public schools began in 1885 in a small building located near where Stott’s Ford is today. Tryon School was moved in 1906 to a new building, which is now Tryon Town Hall.
In 1923, the old building was sold and a new school with pillars on the front was built on top of the hill where the current Tryon Elementary School is today. The town purchased 16 acres for $3,000 and constructed the school for the 280 elementary (grammar) school students and 45 high school students. At that time, students attended grades one through 11.
The Tryon school building went through several additions. The first was in 1928, when the old auditorium was converted into five classrooms and a library and a new auditorium was built on the opposite wing. A cafeteria was opened in what was later known as the old band room. Prior to the cafeteria, students were served soup and cocoa by the PTA, which was organized in 1921.
In 1935 a new gymnasium was completed (it was later known as the old gym and has since been demolished for a parking lot). A large room in the gym was used a shop class. In 1938, a commercial department was added, financed by the PTA and interested residents. It was also at this time that the Rotary and Kiwanis Clubs financed the formation of the Tryon School Board.
The 12th grade was added in 1947 and Stearns High School in Columbus closed, which brought more students to Tryon.The high school moved into a new building in 1952. During this time the community also improved the playground, added lighting to the football field and installed 1,000 bleacher seats. At this time Tryon’s football field was known as one of the best in the state.
In 1957, the high school was completely in the new addition connected to the elementary school, which included a cafeteria on the second floor and a new gymnasium.
In 1960, many Columbus students left the Tryon schools because of the opening of Polk Central High School in Mill Spring.
In 1965, Embury School closed and Tryon schools became desegregated.
In the mid-1960s, Tryon residents passed a bond referendum to build a new high school at Harmon Field on a site donated by Mr. and Mrs. Willis E. Kuhn. In September 1968, students moved into the new building (what is now the Harmon Field Community Center and Tryon Arts and Crafts). The new school was dedicated in living memory to the Kuhns. Also honored was Geoffrey Tennant, who donated the money for the open-air gym, named in memory of his father, Colin McKenzie Tennant Jr.
In 1983, Arthur Farwell donated money for the Arthur and Elizabeth Farwell Computer Science and Mathematics Center.
Kindergarten was added as an optional grade in 1974. Enrollment figures over the years increased to a high in the mid-1960s of 930 in grades 1-12; by 1992 Tryon schools had 600 students in grades K through 12.
Some of Tryon faculty (elementary and high school) included Sally Jo Carter, Steve Aldred, Gary Gibbs, Peggy Edwards, Beth McCallister, Charles and Annette Stafford, Mable Cowan, Carol Lawrence, Karen Killough, Franklin McKaig, Garland Rice, Barry Flood, Phillip Preston, Emmie Mackay, Ann Sellers, Chris Johnson, Nancy Bollinger, Jean Preston, John Trent, Bill Miller, Geoffrey Tennant and Walker Williams. These were just some of the teachers and principals who spent many years at Tryon schools in its last few decades.
Some Tryonites may have memories that stretch further back and remember such Tryon greats as William Hooker, Myrtle Baldwin, Kathleen West, Jean Pettigrew, Margaret Mize, Charles Crawford, Michael Pearson, Coke Foster, Elmo Neal and Bill Barry, just to name a few.
Those planning to attend the reunion are asked to RSVP to Jackie Wingo Copeland at 
864-266-1134. Joyce Kimpton is renting the buildings for the event. Donations to help with the costs may be sent to Kimpton either prior to or on July 22.
For more information or to help, contact Stacy Thompson Roper at 864-473-0265.
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| The undefeated football team of 1940: Frank Wall, Homer Shields, Bill Derby, Lock McGeachy, “Doodle” Martin, Bill Swann, Harold Taylor, Jack Melton, Ed Beatson, Seth Vining and Dutton Beatson. (photo from 1992 Tryon High School Yearbook)
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| The class of 1948 salutes the flag. (photo from the 1992 Tryon High School Yearbook)
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| The senior officers from the class of 1949: Horace Smith, president; Jean Arledge, vice-president; Tom Moore, secretary. (photos from the 1992 Tryon High School Yearbook)
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