News-Record.com

I was there when the school opened in '74 and I graduated in 1978. I think back to the memories of all my friends, the teachers, walking the halls, the fun we had in the commons area signing each others annual, the talent show I was once in, graduation day. When I went to school there, we didn't have a football field. I have since been there, however, when my son played once on the field (he went to school at Southeast and played against Eastern Guilford.) I kept saying over the years "one day I'll go back and visit the school." Now, I won't have the chance to do so. It's gone...it's all gone.

For all of us who attended Eastern Guilford, the memories will never leave us. We will always remember the good times we had and the friends we made and/or grew up with.

It's quite sad to see what has happened and my heart goes out to all the students, teachers, and everyone affected by this tragedy.

Tracey (Gilliam) Wittenbrook

I went to EGHS in 2000 and graduated in 2004. It only seems like yesterday that I waswalking down those halls, stressing over Trammell's economic's class. I mean, man, even my mom went there when they first opened it.

Despite all the wisecracks I know that will be said about the school burning down, it's a great loss. I feel sorry for all the students that were attending the school I left behind. I especially feel sorry for the staff. Like Mr. Riggs, did he get Monty out of his cage before he rushed downstairs? And Ms. Temple, with all her photography things.

And then there were the senior blocks that were painted on the walls every year. I had one of those blocks, and now it's gone. It's almost like this huge hunk of my adolescents is missing.

It's just so unreal.

As we all look back on the great times we had in the halls of EGHS, we can all smile, but as a few of our classmates have passed on our school passed on last night with them. I have a lot of great memories and some bad, but I will always remember the good. My thoughts and Prayers go out to the kids and the faculty of EGHS, but mainly to the seniors who was so looking forward to walking across the stage. Guys stay strong and very adament about staying together. There is several of my friends and family walked the halls there and was looking forward to my kids going there. Stay Strong EGHS!!!!

class of 1978 was the first to graduate from the school and attend all 4 grades. we worked hard raising money for the football field and the first game was played the year after we left. hard to believe when my mom phoned me in myrtle beach and said my old alma mater was buring. miss the days.....donna hiatt

I am a 1978 graduate of Eastern Guilford High School. I met my wife, Tina there when we were going thru school there in the late 70s. She is now a math teacher there and the head varsity women's basketball coach at EGHS and I am one of her assistant coaches. Tina and I have had one daughter to graduate from Eastern (Shelli - Class of '05) and our oldest son is a senior there this year. This morning, about 1:00 am, Tina and I walked with two other teachers and our son Nathan up to the school from our home to look at the school and see if we could get our cars from the lots. We were approached by two GCSD Deputies who were very helpful in allowing us to get our vehicles out of the lots. My son and I were escorted to the front of the building where his truck was parked. This just happened to be directly in front of the collapsed wall of the auditorium. We got in his truck and I sat there looking at the sight, with tears in my eyes, wondering what lies ahead for these guys. A flood of memories came to me as I sat there...

* the fall of '74 and the football team came together as we prepared to play our arch rival - Northeast Guilford

* meeting all the new people from Gibsonville who had been taken from their school into a new school

* standing in the auditorium in silence as the senior class came into the room for assemblies

· building part of a band program that would, in four short years, become a strong marching band competitor in local competitions

But what really comes to me as I watch the news now of all these children being interviewed, most of these kids are children of people I went to school with that graduated from EGHS. So, how can you say this will affect the community? Only time will tell. But I would have to say this will be felt deeper into the community than the average person will realize. My thoughts and prayers go out to all of the students, faculty, administrators and families that will be deeply affected by this tragedy for quite some time.

Jim Gunn

Class of '78

well my sister went to Eastern but i dont go there. she is the class of 2001. my mother teaches at the middle school. so i've pretty much grown up around "wildcats". and the high school was very close to my heart. it very tragic and heartbreaking to watch it go down. i never thought anything bad could around here but yesterday i learned that anything could happen at any given time and we should live life to the fullest and love with all our hearts. well my heart goes out to all who went there and to the people who helped all the way thruogh to put out the fire. my heart also goes to Mr. Riggs, the marine biology teacher, who lost all of his animals that he has had for a very long time. the original eastern will be missed but a new eastern will be loved just as much.






Sincerely,

♥ carly ♥

To all the wonderful students, teachers and parents I had the privilege of meeting at Eastern Middle and High School, my heartfelt sympathies to all of you on this tragic loss. As someone who taught and coached at EGMS from 2003-2005, I have so many great memories of my time there. The pain you are feeling with this challenge has been very difficult. All of the people at the school and community are in my prayers.
The very best to a great community and school!
Tim Law
York, PA
tlaw5@yahoo.com

i couldn't believe the news even when i heard on the news. this school was my home for a long time, i've known these people since i was in kindergarden. i'm not there now, but this school always has a place in my heart. i miss all of you guys, you can get in touch with me at 413 biggs avenue thomasville nc, 27360. i'd like to know as much as i can ♥ Angie Baker

I am a 1995 graduate of EGHS. I have soo many good memories of my school. I had my son, Dylan, when I was a Sophmore there and continued on to graduate, thanks to my family, friends, and teachers (especially Ms. Almond) who told me I could do anything I set my mind to. This made me who I am today. I was excited about my son seeing "his" mom's block with his name in the corner, from 11 years ago. He would be a Freshman there next year. I cheered for EGHS for all four years and made some of the best friends anyone could ever ask for. From Love, to friendships, to exciting experiences; the flames at EGHS will eventually burn out, but the memories in our hearts will burn forever! GO WILDCATS! God Bless Everyone which this has affected.

1995 graduate- Gibsonville- Jamie Atkins

As a proud graduate of the Class of 1990, I am deeply saddened by the tragic events that have unfolded this week. I am so glad no one was hurt, but my heart goes out to the students and staff. I know first-hand what this school means to all of us, and it breaks my heart that no one will be able to walk those halls again. The outpouring of support from the community is tremendous and I hope everyone stays strong during this time. Once a Wildcat, always a Wildcat....keep that EGHS Pride!

I graduated EGHS in 1993. It was a place of fond memories. I will never forget my closest friends Bobby Lewis, Jayson Layton, and Erica Busick, Kim Allison (Tucker) and others. I will never forget my teachers Coach Loring, Coach Tucker, Harold Nall, and those who made an impact on me. It was in Harold Nall's Biblical Lit Class where I first announced my call to preach. It was a kind and compassionate lady Barbra Allman who was my guidance counselor who helped me get through loosing one of my best friends in a car wreck my senior year. I had the privilage my senior year of being the FCA president. My heart thoughts and prayers are with everyone. This just happens to be the week my grandmother is at the point of death and I am in town. Now as a Pastor and spirtual leader I thank God he allowed me the opportunity to be apart of EGHS.

I am a 1985 graduate of EGHS. Although I have moved away from North Carolina, I have many fond memories of the school, faculty, and the friends that I made while attending there from ’82 through ’85. A few that come to mind are:
• The football team winning the state championship in ’82 that included my brother Brett Andrews, Murray Youmans, Jay Wilder, Eric Bratcher, and Tim Dumas.
• The crazy and fun times that I had while being a member of the marching band, where we were recognized as one of the elite bands in North Carolina.
• Having great teachers such as Donna Morrison, Bill Slayton, Larry Tucker, and Joyce Thee.

My heart goes out to all the families, students, and faculty members that were affected by this horrible tragedy.

Scott Andrews
Class of ‘85

My older brother was very active in high school; so my first memory of Eastern Guilford is spending part of one Saturday with him, & other students, painting wildcat paw prints in blue & gold on the sidewalks around the school.

In my own four years there, 82-86, I learned to type, sang in chorus, painted flats for the spring show, hung out in the halls & gave blood for the first time. Some of the best friendships of my life were made in those halls. I also learned that I needed glasses; thanks for not reprimanding Renee for talking in class, telling me what what was written on the board.

I still have my class ring & even my tassel, packed away. Tucked away, I even have the shirt with the iron-on of the computer club.

Arlene Medder
Class of '86

Wow, I am not sure what I could say to ease the pain of the loss of Eastern Guilford!!! I was a 1993 graduate and this was the best school that I had ever attended. It wasn't just a school it was family!! I just cannot believe it is gone! My prayers are with everyone and the Wildcat pride will always live on!!!! I am putting together a slideshow of the school before, after, and the pics and memories of the time I was there at myspace.com/theresaandrew. I hopefully will have it up soon so anyone can stop by and take a look, remember the great times we had there, and mourn the loss of such a great place to be!

I attended Eastern High for the 1st quater of my freshman year. But thats all it took for me to make friends and to feel the heart that the school had. I then moved to Rockford, Illionis and when i heard about the fire i broke into tears,wondering if my friends were alright. After I got in touch with most of them I began to calm down.Then I wondered how it all started, how are they going to finish school, will I ever see that school again?!?!?! I thought the same thing everyone else did. Although I am more than 900 miles away right now, I plan to visit the school by december of 06.

The school...The friends...The memories....Forever in my Heart...

Ashley

The building may be gone, but I have many good memories. Band competitions and trips. Cold football games. The 1982 state Division II championship. Talent and variety shows. Some of the best teachers ever and many, many good friends.

Keith Rice, Irving, Texas
EGHS Class of 1984

Eastern Guilford was not only a school to me, it was my home for 4 years. Those were probably the best four years of my life. Even now months after this horrible fire, it still brings tears to my eyes and I have only seen Eastern once. I only live about 10 minutes from it. I was at Lenior Rhyne in Hickory, NC. when I heard what had happened, I cried, and freaked out. I quickly called my younger brother, Jerreth Thomas, who is a sophomore at Eastern. I wanted to make sure he was okay, when I didn't get an answer, I didn't know what to do with myself. I did find out he was okay, but I watched the fire on the internet all night long. When I saw the roof to the audiorum collapse, I broke down, I spent so much time in that dance room; it honestly was my life every day for four years. I was in that dance room from 2-6 hours a day. Dance changed my life and made me so much stronger as a person, I found something I truly loved. Eastern was not a school, it was a family. Dr. Cooke knew everybody's name, and I hadn't even meet her when she said "Hey Ashley"; I almost felt like I was in trouble, but she wanted to know her students, and she cared about all of us. Mrs. Apple was the most amazing person in the world, she was such an inspiration and I truly love her. The one teacher that I truly was worried about was Angie Greene, the dance teacher. I felt so horrible for what she had lost, and I knew she was hurting 100 times more than I was and I felt like I couldn't move. Eastern will FOREVER be in my heart and my heart still goes out to those students.

Blue and Gold....these colors NEVER fade...
Wildcats forever

Ashley Thomas
c/o '06

i went to Eastern Guilford HIgh and middle. Even though I did not finish school at Eastern The years i was there were the best years of my life. Now looking back things have change so much. But I will never forget my friends and teachers you all made my them 2 years the best that. I wish Mrs. Greene (Dance teacher) and Mrs. Brown (spanish teacher) the best. I could always turn to you both when i needed someone, thank you. Eastern Guilford high student 2003-2005
P.S. something is wrong with the land the school is built on because bad things just keep happening there. But Keep your heads up. and to any student that goes to EGHS remember these are the most important days of your life.