Clay County High School students understand the power of harnessing teamwork. They understand that we are stronger together than alone. They have experienced the power of unity that has resulted in leaving a lasting legacy at Clay County High School.
A joint effort between Mr. Brian Holcomb and his Carpentry class, Mr. Robert Morris and his Agriculture class, the Patriot Guard Riders, Black Diamond Power Company, and John Pruitt and his Welding class crafted a new flag pole for Bradley Field. This was a community project made possible through combined resources, time, and craftsmanship. The majority of the fabrication and welding work was completed by Nathaniel Stephenson, a 17 year old junior at CCHS taking evening Welding classes.
Throughout the development and design phase of the new flagpole, Nathaniel worked with Mr. Pruitt to determine the necessary materials and proportions to create a fitting flagpole. Mr. Holcomb and his Carpentry class dug the five foot hole to set the pole, and designed the concrete base to hold the flag. Mr. Morris’s class helped paint the flagpole, mixed the mortar, and assisting in the setting of the pole.
Leonard Williams, Rodney Nutter, and Jimmy Rapp, from Black Diamond Power Company, assisted by providing a bucket truck to help set the pole. David Pierson offered the use of a log truck to transport the pole from the school to the field. However, at their own request, a group of 30 students carried the flagpole down the parking lot to its new home. This image was one of unmatched beauty as we watched CCHS Panthers handling with great care the new flagpole that would fly Old Glory.
The new flagpole replaces the current pole that has been in place since the new high school was built in 1971. The new pole sits next to the score board, flying 50 feet in the air! It will fly the Stars and Stripes for decades to come, thanks to the cooperative hands and hearts of the CCHS Panthers and their partners.
CCHS will host a flag raising in the next few weeks to dedicate the new flagpole. Our local VFW Post 4419 will participate in the ceremony.
Thank you to all those who made this worthwhile project a reality!