Students often find themselves walking through the pathways of Spartanburg High School, oblivious to the rich history that surrounds them. However, some are fortunate enough to share a unique bond with SHS; their parents were once students here too. This special connection, known as a legacy, stimulates a sense of pride, tradition and nostalgia that spreads throughout the high school experience.
Perrin Little (11) explains the changes between her and her father’s experience as high schoolers.
“The main difference between my parents’ experience and mine is the atmosphere. My dad said that our experience in high school is a lot more like a college campus than when he attended. We have a lot more resources and a better learning environment improving our academics,” Little said.
When students follow in the footsteps of their parents, a sense of belonging is cultivated. This connection fosters a feeling of unity among the generations, creating a tight-knit community within the high school where both the past and present co-exist. By having parents who attended SHS, present classmates carry on tradition filled with carrying forward the honor, values and customs that have characterized Vikings for generations. Legacies play a vital role in maintaining the school’s identity and strengthening the collective spirit.
Crosby Cooper (9) knows about her father’s time in high school, and she has gained insight into the evolution of the school, highlighting the changes and constants that have shaped SHS across the years.
“I have loved being a part of Spartanburg High this year. It’s really cool knowing that my parents are also Vikings. I think the biggest difference has to be that we use a lot more technology, for example we use Schoology almost every day. My dad said that the biggest piece of technology they had was an overhead projector and a TV cart,” Cooper said.
By embracing the heritage and celebrating the role that others played before, students have an unbreakable bond that unites past, present and future generations of Spartanburg Vikings, making a legacy of its own.
English teacher Gerard Gauthier once attended SHS and has one son who is an SHS graduate and two sons that currently attend the school.
“My experience as a high schooler was terrific. Spartanburg High School was recognized during that time period as a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence because of the levels of student achievement, standards of curriculum, professional representation, technology and positive culture,” Gauthier said. “I was fortunate to have several amazing friends, wonderful teachers, sponsors, guidance counselors and coaches. My wife and I are so happy that we both graduated from Spartanburg High School and so will all three of our sons.”
