Founders Day in Double Springs September 14

DOUBLE SPRINGS - The Winston County High School Alumni Association is hoping to start a new annual tradition this year by holding its first Founders Day on Saturday, Sept. 14.
Founders Day will take place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the WCHS campus. There will be  food trucks, live entertainment, a market featuring over 70 vendors  and a kids zone with inflatables and a petting zoo. A Lifesouth blood mobile will also be on hand.
“My biggest goal was to try to get something for everybody there," said Chase Cummins, vice president of the alumni association.
“I really appreciate the Winston County High Alumni Association for undertaking such an endeavor,” said WCHS Principal Jeff Cole. “It is a monumental task. The foundation—no pun intended —for this to be an annual event is solid.
“Everyone who has worked on it has poured their heart and soul into the festival,” he continued. “I especially appreciate Chase, who has been the person who has stayed in contact with me throughout.”
The entertainment begins at 10 a.m., starting with music from Andrew Estes. Small Town Tumbling performs at 11 a.m., Austin Lewis at 12 p.m., Jesslyn and Jenna Downey at 3 p.m. and Hannah Jacobs at 4 p.m.
At 2 p.m., there will be a spirit hour with the Pride of Winston County marching band and the WCHS cheerleaders, during which the stage will be officially named in honor of Cole, WCHS’ longest-serving principal.
While visiting the festival, attendees may want to drop by Malcolm Blake Stadium for the Winston County Day of Bands, which will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. After the pre-event playing of the national anthem, the marching bands from all four county schools will perform their halftime shows.
Founders Day T-shirts are available for $15 and should be pre-ordered from Gina Dodd, alumni association secretary, by Friday, Aug. 30. She can be reached at Double Springs Middle School. The shirts must be picked up at the festival.
Visit the Winston County Alumni Association Facebook page to see the T-shirt design and learn more about Founders Day.
"(The) Founders Day festival is an event that has been created to celebrate the long history of our school," said Cummins. "The idea for this festival was born out of a deep desire to honor the legacy of our institution and to create an occasion that brings together students, alumni and the wider community."

WCHS history

WCHS was founded 116 years ago as a result of a 1907 act of the Alabama legislature that required most counties in the state to have a county high school. While several towns vied to be home to the new school, Double Springs was eventually selected because of its central location, Peter J. Gossett explained in "The History of Winston County" on freestateofwinston.org. The following historical details come from that document.
The cornerstone of the first WCHS was laid on July 3, 1908. The two-story school was "made of native sandstone . . . and was located on the hill just northwest of where the two springs were," Gossett wrote. "Today, this location is known as building two of Better Built Trailers on the west side of Highway 195." It is near the current Winston County Health Deparment.
Winston County High School as an institution officially opened on Oct. 1, 1908 with its 32 students, all freshmen and sophomores, attending classes at Double Springs Elementary School because the new building was not yet complete.
Some students lived at the school in a dormitory until the original WCHS burned in 1913. After the fire, classes were held in the courthouse until a new school was built on the same site, this time with a stone first floor and a stucco second floor. Students were able to start the next school year in it on Sept. 2, 1914.
In May of 1927, the WCHS Alumni Association formed.
As the school grew, a larger building became necessary, and one was built where the DSES playground is now. The school moved to its new home on Oct. 10, 1930.
In 1935, Elaine Aaron Godfrey created the WCHS alma mater by substituting its name into the field song of the University of South Dakota.
An home economics and agricultural building was completed in 1952, and it is this building that still remains at the site. The gym, now the DSES gym, with its upstairs band room was built in 1964.
The rest of the school burned on Jan. 30, 1971, resulting in the construction of a new school building at WCHS’ present location.
Until it was finished, WCHS students went to school from 1-6 p.m. at DSES after elementary school was held from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m.
The new building was completed in time for the start of the 1973-1974 school year. The annex was added in 1987.

The inspirations
for Founders Day

Cummins said one inspiration for Founders Day was Gossett's book about WCHS' history entitled  "The Book of Memories Too."
Another inspiration was WCHS Principal Jeff Cole "and all he has done in the many years he has been principal," Cummins said. "If you have ever been one of his students, you know the work he does, but in reality, he actually does even more than (people realize)."
Cummins added that the alumni association wanted to honor Cole for being WCHS' longest serving principal and has done so by naming the Founders Day stage after him.
"It's quite an honor," Cole said. "I told them I didn't know why they wanted to do that—with my name on it, people might not show up—but I'm very honored that they did."

The importance
of our roots

“Founders Day is more than just a festival; it's a celebration of our shared history and a reminder that, no matter where we go, our roots remain an integral part of who we are," Cummins said.
"As an alumni living in Florence, I feel a connection to my hometown and alma mater, despite the distance," he continued. "My involvement in the alumni association stems from a commitment to give back to the community that shaped me. Organizing this event in my hometown is a way for me to bridge the gap between where I am now and where I come from, ensuring that the values and traditions of our school continue to thrive, no matter where life may take us. I believe that by staying engaged and contributing, we can create lasting memories and opportunities for future generations."
“In today’s busy world, it is difficult for people to find time in