GrahamCountyBoardofEducation

Prior to Friday’s season opener against East Surry, the Robbinsville Black Knights filed through a line to personally thank local contractors and officials that helped complete the renovation of the home-seating area at Big Oaks Stadium in just 49 days. Players pictured are Daegan Bird, Darion Ledbetter, Tillman Adams and Cuttler Adams (from left). Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Prior to Friday’s season opener against East Surry, the Robbinsville Black Knights filed through a line to personally thank local contractors and officials that helped complete the renovation of the home-seating area at Big Oaks Stadium in just 49 days. Players pictured are Daegan Bird, Darion Ledbetter, Tillman Adams and Cuttler Adams (from left). Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

If you build it, they will come

Kevin Hensley
Friday, August 25, 2023
Robbinsville – The first efforts began at 1:45 p.m. Thursday, June 29, just two hours after a pair of local boards agreed to the idea. By 5 p.m. Thursday, Aug.
Robbinsville High School Principal David Matheson, Graham County Project Manager Jason Marino and Brandon Lovin of Lovin Contracting (from left) discuss fencing options while standing above a newly-placed retaining wall at Modeal Walsh Memorial (Big Oaks) Stadium on Monday. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville High School Principal David Matheson, Graham County Project Manager Jason Marino and Brandon Lovin of Lovin Contracting (from left) discuss fencing options while standing above a newly-placed retaining wall at Modeal Walsh Memorial (Big Oaks) Stadium on Monday. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Too near home to turn back now

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, August 2, 2023
Robbinsville – As officials, administrators and contractors alike stood over the two new retaining walls that have been erected to support new seating at Big Oaks Stadium on Monday, a certain air of confidence lingered in the strategy session.
The demolition and renovation of the home bleachers at Big Oaks Stadium is still on track to be completed in time for the upcoming football season. As seen in this Monday photo, a front-retaining wall has been poured and finished; the rear wall was set to begin pouring this week. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

The demolition and renovation of the home bleachers at Big Oaks Stadium is still on track to be completed in time for the upcoming football season. As seen in this Monday photo, a front-retaining wall has been poured and finished; the rear wall was set to begin pouring this week. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Right on schedule

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, July 27, 2023
Robbinsville – For a project that has such a narrow window to be completed, everything thus far has been executed like a strategic Black Knights gameplan: to a “T.
The measure to demolish perilous seating on the home side of Big Oaks Stadium was approved around 11:30 a.m. June 29. Two hours later, work commenced. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

The measure to demolish perilous seating on the home side of Big Oaks Stadium was approved around 11:30 a.m. June 29. Two hours later, work commenced. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Beat the clock

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, July 6, 2023
Robbinsville – Friday Night Lights might get to create a familiar glow in Robbinsville after all.
Confetti and Silly String filled the upper reaches of the Robbinsville High School gymnasium Friday, as the Class of 2023 celebrated their graduation. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Confetti and Silly String filled the upper reaches of the Robbinsville High School gymnasium Friday, as the Class of 2023 celebrated their graduation. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

87 afforded diplomas

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, June 1, 2023
Robbinsville – Tears were shed, fond memories recalled and – more importantly – 87 girls and boys transformed into women and men before the collective eyes of those gathered inside the Robbinsville High School gymnasium on Friday.
As evident from the bottom row of bleachers at Modeal Walsh Memorial (Big Oaks) Stadium, support for the seating area has caused a significant shift in the alignment of the arrangement, which has Graham County Schools exploring other venues to play “home” football games this fall. Note the large gap between the two bottom sections and the off-center meeting points of the row above.

As evident from the bottom row of bleachers at Modeal Walsh Memorial (Big Oaks) Stadium, support for the seating area has caused a significant shift in the alignment of the arrangement, which has Graham County Schools exploring other venues to play “home” football games this fall. Note the large gap between the two bottom sections and the off-center meeting points of the row above.

Big Oaks football unlikely this fall

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, June 1, 2023
Robbinsville – ‘This should be good,’ quipped Graham County Board of Education Chair Rodney Nelson.

Numbers don’t lie

Kevin Hensley
Monday, May 1, 2023
* Conclusion of a 2-part report Robbinsville – Debra “Hank” Dinschel’s presentation at the March Graham County Board of Education meeting drew the ire of many people in the room, including those who work specifically to improve a child’s quality of life.
One Graham County Board of Education member has started raising questions about the Erlanger School-Based Clinic being housed on school grounds. The center is open to any student, staff member or immediate faculty-member’s family in the school district. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

One Graham County Board of Education member has started raising questions about the Erlanger School-Based Clinic being housed on school grounds. The center is open to any student, staff member or immediate faculty-member’s family in the school district. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Clinic, school board member at odds

Kevin Hensley
Friday, April 21, 2023
* Part 1 of a 2-part report Robbinsville – It’s no secret that Hank Dinschel vehemently opposes the use of masks as a safeguard against illness.
Students at Robbinsville Elementary School enjoy lunch inside the cafeteria Tuesday. It was announced Monday that pupils across the district will enjoy free breakfast and lunch for the next four years. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Students at Robbinsville Elementary School enjoy lunch inside the cafeteria Tuesday. It was announced Monday that pupils across the district will enjoy free breakfast and lunch for the next four years. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

$1 million? It’s on the house

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, April 6, 2023
Robbinsville – It might be the biggest win-win ever achieved between Graham County Schools and parents of the district’s students.

Flexibility sought in new bill

Kevin Hensley
Friday, March 31, 2023
Raleigh – A revised bill that looks to allow for more flexibility in Western North Carolina schools planning their annual calendars has been submitted at the state level. Sen.