2011 Inductees
KATHLEEN D. CLEAVELAND
Miss Cleaveland graduated from Peabody College and San Diego State University with a degree in education. She later received her graduate degree from Rider College. In 1938 she arrived in Hendersonville and continued her teaching career at Hendersonville High School. At HHS, she taught business and was sponsor of the Laureate and the Red and White. Miss Cleavelands’ main attributes were her ability to encourage the student to confront the difficult and overcome obstacles. She taught her students to understand that you earn what you get out of life and one does not realize their ambition by seeking the easy way out.
EDITH REMINE
Miss ReMine came to HHS after teaching at Brevard High School. She was a graduate of Peabody College and achieved a graduate degree from the same institution. At Hendersonville, she taught mathematics during the 1940’s and 1950’s. She was an iconic teacher who worked with students to be successful not only in the classroom but also in life. Though she was tough and strict, she was recognized as being totally fair. Miss ReMine was more than an outstanding math instructor. She was an individual that made a difference in her students’ lives and earned the greatest amount of respect from everyone that she taught.
ROBERT V. STATON
Mr. Staton was a member of the Class of 1954 at HHS where he served as student body president. After graduation from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the George Washington University Law School, he enjoyed a thirty-six year career in law. After retirement, he returned to Henderson County where he serves as a Rotarian, a board member and secretary of the Hendersonville Center for the Arts, and a member of the board of trustees of the Flat Rock Playhouse. He is currently the mayor of the Village of Flat Rock.
DON MICHALOVE
Mr. Michalove was a member of the Class of 1953 at HHS. He later attended the business school at the University of Miami and then returned to Hendersonville to work in the family owned furniture business. He was elected to the Hendersonville City Council in 1976 where he served for four years. In 1981, he was elected as mayor of Hendersonville and served three terms. He has also worked on the Board of Directors of the Salvation Army and is a member of the Elks Lodge, Lions Club, Sertoma Club, and has been an officer for the Hendersonville Jaycees. Mr. Michalove was also host of “Open Line Hendersonville” pm WHKP for 16 years.
R. HUGH LOCKABY
Mr. Lockaby graduated from Flat Rock High School and later graduated from Clemson University with a degree in math and science and a Master’s degree in educational administration. He spent his entire career in education with the Hendersonville City Schools and ultimately became principal of Hendersonville High School from 1957 until 1971. As HHS principal he guided the smooth transition of integration without incident. He helped develop track and cross country programs that immediately won state championships. His efforts guided the school to be recognized as an outstanding academic institution where a high percentage of graduating seniors were accepted by colleges throughout the country.
2010 Inductees
Pat Whitmire
Mr. Whitmire was a member of the 1955 class of Hendersonville High School. While at Hendersonville he participated in student government and was a member of the basketball and football teams. As a player on the football team, he was selected to play in the Shrine Bowl and was a honorable mention All-American.
After graduating from Wake Forest University, Mr. Whitmire ran his own insurance business and actively served the community and education programs in many different capacities. He also served on the Hendersonville City council as police and fire commissioner. He was well known for his civic leadership and dedicated to high morals and ethics.
Pat Corn
Mr. Corn was a 1968 graduate of Hendersonville High School where he participated in the drama, Key Club, and band. Following his graduation from Hendersonville he attended college at Methodist College and North Texas State University.
He soon found himself working in the music industry in Nashville, Tennessee where he became a musician, artist, composer, publisher and arranger. He eventually started his own business. Mr. Corn is a talented leader and gifted professional highly respected in the national and international music community.
Ed Morgan
Mr. Morgan graduated from Hendersonville High School in 1949. While at Hendersonville, he participated in football, basketball, monogram club, H club and the FFA. He was a member of and co-captain of the 1948 and 1949 state championship basketball teams which represented the first state championships won at the high school.
Following graduation, Mr. Morgan attended the University of Tennessee where he was a valuable member of the Volunteer football team. He later went to work for NASA and made many valuable contributions to the space program throughout his career.
Connie and Ricky Sparks
Connie and Ricky Sparks’ lives centered around Hendersonville High School and the middle school. Ricky attended Special Education classes at Hendersonville and his mother, Connie, worked for many years for the school system. Their home was between the high school and middle school and for over forty years they supported Hendersonville and their athletic teams. Ricky would sit and watch the football and band parade between the two schools when going to and from the practice field. He was one of Hendersonville High’s greatest supporters.
Though their lives ended tragic ally in 2008 they continue to be remembered as a part of the Bearcat family through the Connie and Ricky Sparks’ Memorial Scholarship.
Jan Stanley
Ms. Stanley graduated from Hendersonville High School in 1971. While at Hendersonville, she played varsity basketball, was homecoming representative, and was a member of the Keyettes and FCA. After graduation she went to Baptist College and later received her Masters degree from Western Carolina University.
Following her graduation, she went on to teach and coach at West Henderson High School. During her years there she was coach of a state basketball championship team, five state volleyball championships, was NC Coach of the Year, national volleyball Coach of the Year (2008), and elected to the NCHSAA Hall of Fame.
John Brooks Williams
Mr. Williams graduated from Hendersonville High in 1938. He later earned a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from UNC and a MBA from Harvard. He continued his education with a law degree from Columbia University. He later relocated to Houston, Texas for a number of years where he successfully owned and operated Markel Steel Company.
Following his death in 2004, Mr. Williams left most of his sizable estate to various educational entities, including Blue Ridge Community College and the HHSAA. He gave two $100,000 donations which are now passed on to graduating seniors as scholarships that are available for up to four years.
2009 Inductees
Geraldine Hensley
Miss Hensley served as a teacher and coach at Hendersonville High School for over 20 years. During this time she taught health, physical education, civics and was the first woman in the state of North Carolina to instruct driver’s education. In addition to her teaching duties, Ms. Hensley also served as head women’s basketball coach and sponsor of the varsity cheerleaders. Her dedication to her students resulted in inspiring all those who were lucky enough to sit in her classroom.
Hilliard Staton
Mr. Staton graduated from Hendersonville High School in 1948. During his high school career he served as President of the senior class, first editor of The Laureate, and was elected to "Who\'s Who in American High Schools". He attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill on a Navy ROTC scholarship, was commissioned in the United States Marine Corps and is a Korean War veteran. Following his military service he spent over 40 years in the financial services industry in the US and Europe and retired as a Senior Vice President of Merrill Lynch International and Regional Marketing Director of an investment counseling firm. Since retirement he has continued to serve in Law Enforcement and on the boards of various community organizations.
Grace Gaillard
Lifelong resident of Henderson County and graduate of Hendersonville High School, Grace Gaillard is known and loved by many. After graduating high school she worked at Cal’s Home and Auto Supply from 1955-1971. She began working for the Hendersonville City School System in 1971 where she was known as an activist for teachers. She retired from the Henderson County Public Schools in 1997. Miss Gaillard is an avid participant in our community and served 20 years on the Apple Festival Board. She is one of three people who has been asked to serve as a lifetime member of the Hendersonville High School Alumni Association. Her dedication to Hendersonville High School can still be seen on a daily basis on the campus of HHS.
C.E. Buster Livingston
C.E. Buster Livingston was a successful businessman in Hendersonville, North Carolina. He owned and operated the Union Bus Terminal and Patton Vending Company. Mr. Livingston served on the Hendersonville City School Board for 9 years and was instrumental in assisting with the integration of the school systems during the civil rights movement. His dedication to secure the best for Hendersonville High School enabled him to secure the funds to open Dietz Field and install the first outdoor lighting system in our area. He hired the high school’s first athletic director and helped the school to establish the first campus track in Western North Carolina.
Richard Waters
During his high school career at Hendersonville High School, Richard Waters began working at WHKP as a disc jockey. He created a 10:00 pm show known to local teenagers as “Starlight Serenade”. From then on his communication skills began a way of life for Mr. Waters. He continued to serve his school as the Public Service Announcer for the Bearcat Football Program. After a military tour in the army where he served as a broadcaster in both New York and Germany, Mr. Waters returned to Hendersonville and resumed his work with WHKP. From that time on he worked to keep the graduates of HHS informed and connected. Mr. Waters was a dedicated and respected member of the Bearcat Family.
2008 Inductees
James F. Laughter, Jr.
Coach Laughter taught at Hendersonville High School, Hendersonville Middle School and Bruce Drysdale. He inspired many students who played athletics for him to excel beyond their own expectations and find success beyond athletics. His dedication to his profession and the many students he coached and taught over the years has enriched the Bearcat family.
Jeffery Miller
Jeff comes from a long line of relatives who graduated from Hendersonville High School. After graduating from Appalachian State University, Jeff returned to Hendersonville and his family’s business, Miller’s Laundry and Cleaning, Inc., which he now owns and operates. Although Jeff has a very long and distinguished history of community involvement, he is perhaps most recognized for his founding efforts of Honor Air, a program that strives to take World War II veterans to Washington, DC at no expense to them to see the WWII Memorial. Jeff is also a husband, father and is certainly an asset to our community.
Candy Priest
Candy has spent 29 years in public education as both a teacher in the classroom and an administrator. Her community work is extensive, including Special Olympics and numerous civic activities. Candy’s dedication to her profession and her community are in the best Bearcat tradition of giving back to the community.
Ethelyn (Lynn) Roberts
Mrs. Roberts returned to HHS in 1969 where she had a distinguished career teaching English, working with the Drama Department, and actively participating in many areas of the high school outside the classroom. Her love of theatre has spanned her lifetime and among many other achievements is a charter member of the Hendersonville Little Theatre.
Harry Swofford
Mr. Swofford taught math at HHS from 1953 to 1972. He is remembered by many students as a demanding, inspiring teacher who instilled a work ethic that went beyond the study of mathematics. His rigorous lessons and classroom decorum set a high standard for the pursuit of any academic path of study.
Wendy Wilkins
Wendy was a Bearcat through and through, joining her mother, father, brothers and sister as Hendersonville High graduates. After graduating from the University of Miami (Florida), Ms. Wilkins taught drama and music and pursued her acting career. She performed in Disney World and was a well known actor at the Flat Rock Playhouse. Wendy was also a wife and a loving mother of three children. Although Wendy passed away in 1999, she continues to inspire those who knew her and remember her for her energy and passion.
2007 Inductees
Walter Allman
Mr. Allman was the custodian at HHS from 1944 until his retirement in 1977. Walter not only took pride in HHS as if it were his own, but also extended his care and devotion to the many people he saw pass through its doors.
Steve Carlisle
Steve continues a distinguished career in acting that has spanned movies, television and theatre. He has been a regular performer at the Flat Rock Playhouse for many years. In addition he continues to act and work in the Honors College at Western Carolina University.
Arthur V. "Art" Cooley
After graduating from college and finishing a tour of duty in the Army, Art began a career in broadcasting that has spanned almost 50 years. Today he is President and General Manager of WHKP-AM in Hendersonville. In addition, Mr. Cooley is a member of the NC Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame.
Richard Morris
After serving in the infantry in World War II and graduating from college, Richard had a distinguished career in sports writing building from his days at HHS writing for the Red and White. Mr. Morris was also the official scorer for the Asheville Tourists baseball team for over 32 years. In 1992, the press box at McCormick Field was named for him.
Ronnie Pepper
Using his degree in Early Childhood Education, Ronnie has spent his career working and nurturing children. He is currently director of the Henderson County Head Start Centers. Mr. Pepper was the winner of Scholastic Magazine\'s 2003 Early Childhood Professional Award. Ronnie is an award winning story teller and very involved in church and community activities.
Beverly Russell
Ms. Russell was an english teacher and sponsor of the Red and White for many years at HHS. An accomplished poet and writer herself, Beverly has inspired many students to pursue their own careers in creative writing. Her short story, "Helium Baloon", won a 1977 Appalachian Regional Writer Award.
2006 Inductees
Patricia Orr Mebane
A long time favorite and much loved performer at Flat Rock playhouse. Pat married newsman Bill Mebane (Asheville Citizen Times), raised three children and served with distinction for over 25 years as a nationally recognized Hospital Public Relations Director for St. Joseph\\'s Hospital and the Sister\\'s of Mercy in Asheville, N.C.
Alexander Walter "Alex" Houston
Alex and his sidekick "Elmer" have made a name for themselves as one of the leading ventriloquist acts in the country, with a career spanning more than 50 years. Still active, they perform regularly at Branson, Missouri and other entertainment venues.
David W. Cooley
Dave has made a career in the field of Journalism and Chamber of Commerce Management. He is one of the outstanding Chamber of Commerce Directors in this country in the 20th century. He has served as director in Greer, S.C., Hendersonville, N.C., Greenville, S.C., Jacksonville, FL, Memphis TN, Dallas, TX and for four years as president of American Chamber of Commerce Executives. Retired since 1995, he is still active worldwide as a consultant and guest speaker.
2005 Inductees
James F. “Jim” Brinkley
A standout athlete at HHS (All State in football 2 Years). Participating in five sports, he attended The Citadel on a football scholarship before serving in the Air Force. Jim continued a business career in automotive service and management, and for 30+ years he has raced cars in several categories with outstanding records. He has continued a life interest in sports as a youth mentor.
Phillip E. Brintnall
Much respected and loved teacher and coach at HHS from 1965 for 30+ years. He taught biology and coached tennis, track, basketball and football. He succeeded Joe Hunt as head football coach upon Coach Hunt’s retirement. He reigned over a perennial football powerhouse until his departure in 1993.
Laura Ann Evans Corn
Although not a graduate of HHS, Laura has been one of the most avid fans and supporters for many years. She is married to an HHS graduate and her children attended HHS. She has been affectionately known as “Mama Bearcat” by hundreds of HHS students.
Abram Jones “Abe” Cox
An outstanding student and athlete for four years at HHS, Abe earned a BS in English from Duke University. This was followed by a doctorate from the Candler School of Theology at Emory. His life in the ministry of his church was highlighted not so much in the pulpit as by his work with the downtrodden, the drug addicted and the Blackfoot Tribe of American Indians in Heart Butte, Montana.
Raymond Robert “Bob” Freeman
Long-time owner/operator of Freeman’s News Stand. A dedicated supporter of HHS and civic activist, for many years he was known as “Mr. Republican.”
Ridley R. Kessler
Our initial second generation inductee, Ridley followed his mother into the field of Library Science and his accomplishments and contributions have been international in scope.
Clifton J. Shipman
A local businessman, entrepreneur and philanthropist, Cliff has been in the forefront of business enterprises in Hendersonville since the mid ‘40s, with every endeavor successful. He has been an avid supporter of HHS as well as many other civic and community affairs.
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