May 23, 2013
* The graduation ceremony was just around the corner for 85 seniors. Out of the Class of 2013, 35 graduated with honors and 30 with high honors; 22 percent of the class would be attending a four-year university; 36 percent would attend a community college; six percent planned to enter the military; and 36 percent would be entering the workforce. The special guest speaker at the annual Robbinsville High School Academic Banquet was Gilliam Jackson, a 1969 Robbinsville graduate, who went on to teach six years at Robbinsville Elementary.
* The R-Club Sports Banquet was a night of surprises. Two underclassmen received top awards for the night: sophomore Spencer McCoy for Most Valuable Male Athlete and freshman Shawnda Martin as Most Valuable Female Athlete. McCoy had made Smoky Mountain All-Conference in football his freshman year, while Martin had broken all but one school track record in long-distance races.The Coach of the Year was wrestling coach Todd Odom. Update: Odom continued to coach through the 2022 season.
May 23, 2002
* Four Robbinsville residents were arrested for “doctor shopping,” which involved a controlled substance. Tammy Chekelelee, David Garrison, Paula Lofty and Shannon Sawyer were charged with obtaining controlled substances by misrepresentation. Two more suspects were under investigation, according to sheriff Steve Odom, who used pharmacy profiles obtained by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation to identify the suspects. The crimes began in January 1999.
* The Robbinsville boys track team placed 11th at the track and field state championship, breaking previous school records. Placing second in the 4x800 relay were Rance Shuler, Aaron Orr, Tim Ward and Colby Collins. The quartet also made All-State and broke the school record in that event. Meanwhile, Ty Gibbs placed third in the 300-meter hurdles and also made All-State in both hurdle competitions.
May 23, 1996
* Water service in Tallulah was shut down when a line was broken by construction crews at William Snyder’s property. Breaks had been occurring at a frequent rate and as a result, a new law was unanimously passed stating that contractors must contact the town before digging or prepare to be held liable for damages to town lines. A $250 fine – plus cost of labor – was put in place if the contract is not followed.
* Robbinsville finished third at the Smoky Mountain Conference track championship in Murphy. Anyone finishing first in an event was considered All-Conference and six of Robbinsville’s 15 earned those honors: Jeff Wojdylo, Bucky Ayers, Lee Howell, Patrick Nichols, Brian Gross and Coy Adams. The 4x800 meter relay team of Nichols, Howell, Gross and Ayers took first place with a time of 1:31, setting both a new school and conference record.
-Compiled by Diane West