© Jerry F. Couch

NOTE: This article was created and published at the request of Therese Molinary Fields, a member of the SPHS Class of 1976. Therese has been a supporter of and a contributor to the Clinch Valley Times Facebook page and Web page for many years. We thank her for her faith in us, and her faith in our ability to tell the story of the community we love.

FIFTY YEARS AGO, the students in the photo below received their high school diplomas and went forth into the world to find their place. Most of the material contained in this article came from the Clinch Valley Times’ archives of 1975-1976.

MEMBERS OF THE SPHS CLASS OF 1976

BOYS: Ricky Jerald Booher, Terry Allen Brooks, Gregory Paul Goodson, Michael Gregory Helbert, Garry Wayne Hileman, Eddie Dean Holbrook, Michael Roy Kennedy, Elihugh Johnson Kilgore, Jr., Donald Eugene Meade, McNeil Phillips, Jr., Larry Michael Popp, Jerry Lee Ramey, Rowland Vincent Stidham, Larry Neal Sullivan, and Ricky Ray Trent.

GIRLS: Sharon Deborah Blevins, Deborah Carol Helbert, Vickie Carroll Cole, Janet Hamilton Fields, Jacqueline Marisa Gordon, Deborah Jean Hall, Penny Ann Hamiliton, Linda Gail Hill, Barbara Jane Holmes, Kathy Alice Johnson, Rita Faye Jordan, Karen Sue Long, Mary Therese Molinary, Brenda Kay Mullins, Debra Lynn Musick, Tena Yvette Musick, Lisa Gail Neff, Maria Bernadette Osborne, Sandra Kay Plaster, Mary Lynn Puckett, Ronna Elaine McReynolds , Rita Kay Turner, and Kathy Lynn Wright.

CLASS OFFICERS

Larry Popp, President; Barbara Jane Holmes, Vice-President; Karen Long, Secretary-Treasurer ; Ronna McReynolds, Reporter; Therese Molinary and Elihugh Kilgore, Historians.

FIRST HONOR STUDENT

RONNA ELAINE MCREYNOLDS, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. N. E. McReynolds of St. Paul, compiled a scholastic average of 3.81 at St. Paul High School. Ronna is a member of the First Baptist Church of Saint Paul. The honors she achieved while in school are: Science Award, Math Award, English Award, History Award, and Geography award. She has been a member of the Beta Club, vice president of the French Club, and 4-H Club and served as a member of the Wise County Discipline Committee.

Ronna’s other activities include: 10th grade Homecoming attendant, member of the Annual Staff and Newspaper Staff, captain of the cheerleaders, member of the Band, and she was named Most School Spirited, Miss Senior, and Best-Dressed Senior.

Ronna will attend Clinch Valley College in Wise, Virginia, majoring in accounting.

SECOND HONOR STUDENT

VICKIE CARROLL COLE, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Billy W. Cole of Route 1, Coeburn, Virginia, has a scholastic average of 3.69. Vickie is a member of the Lord Jesus Church of Goe in Coeburn. She is a Sunday School teacher and President of the Dry Fork Freewill Baptist Youth League.

Vickie participated in the 1976 School play. Her honors achieved while in school include: Biology Award, Chemistry Award, Home Economics Award, Accounting Award, Drama Award, Betty Crocker Award, DAR Good Citizenship Award, and Academic Letters. Her clubs are FHA, FBLA, French and Beta clubs. She entered the Math Science competition at Clinch Valley College in 1974, and she entered the MECC competition in typing in 1976 (5th place).

Vickie will attend Clinch Valley College in Wise, Virginia

OUTSTANDING SENIORS

Garry Wayne Hileman, Larry Michael Popp, Vickie Carroll Cole, Jacqueline Marisa Gordon, Deborah Jean Hall, Barbara Jane Holmes, Kathy Alice Johnson, Rita Faye Jordan, Karen Sue Long, Debra Lynn Musick, Mary Lynn Puckett, Ronna Elaine McReynolds, Rita Kay Turner

YEARBOOK OFFICERS

Barbara Jane Holmes, Editor; Ronna McReynolds, Assistant Editor; Kathy Johnson, Business Manager. Staff members included Karen Long, Therese Molinary, and Elihugh Kilgore

Our readers will recall that the principal event of 1976 was our nation’s bicentennial, which was celebrated both nationally and locally. During the current year of 2026, our country will celebrate its 250-year anniversary, known as a “semi-quincentennial.” That’s quite a mouthful!

Let’s take a look at events shaping popular culture and the world of the “Class of 1976.”

BILLBOARD MAGAZINE’S TOP 10 HIT SONGS OF 1976

NATIONAL EVENTS OF 1976

America’s Bicentennial year was celebrated nationwide in numerous events.

Jimmy Carter defeated incumbent President Gerald Ford to become the 39th President of the United States.

Apple Computer and Microsoft were incorporated, a significant advancement in the growth of personal computing.

An outbreak of Swine Flu at Fort Dix, New Jersey sparked nationwide concern of a potential epidemic.

Filming of “Rocky,” starring Sylvester Stallone began in January of 1976. The film received an Academy Award for Best Picture.

SPHS CLASS OF 1976 – FIRST GRADE

EDITOR’S NOTE: Over the years, the makeup of the class of 1976 changed due to families moving into and out of the St. Paul school district.

[Above] Some changes at St. Paul High School for the 1975-76 school year.

DESPITE A MEMBERSHIP of just five, the 1976 St. Paul High School Girls’ Track Team enjoyed a good season. In six track meets, the Deacon girls were able to score consistently and never finished last, despite restricted numbers. During three separate district meets, the girls totaled over 50 points.

They have been led by Susan Stanley who ran the 100, 220, and hurdles, plus gaining points in the shot put, discus, and high jump. Tammy Quillen and Susan were outstanding distance runners and rank with Southwest Virginia’s best.

The Captain of the Deaconettes was B. J. Holmes, who always gained a place in the 440 and 220. Sharon Willis performed in the discus and half mile relay and scored well. Susan Fugate did well in the 880. Susan Stanley and Tammy Quillen made it to the state meet at Charlottesville before the season ended.

B. J. Holmes graduated this year, but Susan Stanley, Tammy Quillen, Susan Figate, and Sharon Willis will all return. Coach Kyle Fletcher commented that the 1977 team should really sparkle because several good runners are coming out of the 8th grade to combine with the “old timers”.” Field events, Fletcher said, is the area which will rquire the most improvement.

LIONS CLUB HONORS DEACON ATHLETES

THE ST. PAUL LIONS CLUB honored the St. Paul High School athletes with a banquet at the school last Thursday night.

Guest speaker for the event was Burrall Paye, the very successful basketball coach of the Powell Valley High School Vikings. In addressing the gathering, Paye spoke of the Three C’s of achievement which are valid for any walk of life, as well as for achievement in athletics.

The Three C’s are commitment, character, and confidence. Paye said that in order to achieve recognition, one must make a commitment to your goal and not let anything that would detract from that goal get in your way. Also, you must have the character – that is, the honesty to know yourself and the courage to stick up for your goal or conviction. And last but not least, you must have confidence in your own ability to achieve the goal which you have set for yourself.

Other guests of the Lions Club were Steve Maree, all state basketball player from Penington Gap and John McFall, the 3-sport star of Clintwood.

The following athletes were presented trophies by their coaches:

FOOTBALL: Hustler Award, Hugh Kilgore; Bill Bowman Blocking Award, Rick Trent; Sportsmanship, Hugh Kilgore; Most Valuable Player, Greg Goodson.

GIRLS BASKETBALL: Most Improved, Susan Fugate; Most Valuable, Lynn Puckett

JV BOY’S BASKETBALL: Most Valuable, Aaron Porter

VARSITY BASKETBALL: Most Improved, Danny Clay; Most Valuable, Doug Evans; Sportsmanship, Hugh Kilgore

WRESTLING: Most Improved, Mike Holbrook; Most Valuable, Greg Goodson

BASEBALL: Most Improved, Eddie Justice; Most Valuable, Rick Williams

TRACK: Girls – Most Valuable, Susan Stanley; Boys – Most Valuable, Greg Goodson

OUTSTANDING CHEERLEADER: Ronna McReynolds

AWARDS PRESENTED FOR THE FIRST TIME: Most Valuable Female Athlete, B. J. Holmes; Most Valuable Male Athlete, Greg Goodson

Although the St. Paul Deacons did not have one of their best seasons during the 1975-1976 school year, that doesn’t mean they didn’t play well, or with enthusiasm. It is likely they faced teams with more members, and more experience.

UNFORTNATELY there was no group photo of the St. Paul Deacons baseball team for the 1975-1976 school year in the CVT’s archives.

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