Throughout my investigation of the true history of Fuquay Varina High School, I have been working on solving the mystery of when the school opened, as well as exploring how we are celebrating integration of the school. Continuing my investigation of the true history of FVHS, I found that we had integrated in 1971, so why would we be celebrating 50 years of being integrated next year, which is four years late?
The desegregation and consolidation of FVHS has been an issue that has been a struggle to research. Upon hearing about plans to celebrate 50 years of being integrated next year, I decided to look into the accuracy of that date. Through more research, 1975 is the incorrect date of integration, but we still have a reason to celebrate in 2025.
In 1966 FVHS graduated its first Black student, Jean McKoy. Though she was able to graduate, this does not necessarily mean that the school had integrated. She had signed papers that had allowed her to attend FVHS, but it was not set in stone that both black and white students must attend the same school.
According to “A History of Fuquay Varina” by Shirley Simmons, the integration of the school happened officially in 1971 after the last class of Fuquay Consolidated High School graduated in 1970.
“Students from Fuquay Consolidated High School and Fuquay Varina High School officially desegregated the two schools and joined as one Fuquay Varina High School in the fall of 1970,” according to “A History of Fuquay Varina.”
Because of this information, it raises the question, why are we celebrating 50 years of being integrated next year?
“We are celebrating fifty years of being an integrated school at 201 Bengal Blvd,” said Principal Mike James.
1975 is the year that our current location on Bengal Boulevard was adopted. This was the year all integrated students were moved to one building with a new mascot and new colors, symbolizing a new beginning of unity in one school.
“There are so many dates that are out there, so to make something definitive, we’re going with the 50th year at 201 Bengal Blvd,” said James.
For final clarification, I spoke with librarian Allison McAuley about the dates of the school integration to compare them. McAuley has spoken with Shirley Simmons, the Volunteer Docent at the Museums of Fuquay Varina. She is also a former history teacher at FVHS and a town historian.
“To my knowledge…the first Fuquay Varina students integrated into the campus that is now the middle school in 1971,” said McAuley.
With this information being revealed, it seems that the overall confusion of the history of FVHS has been wrapped up with confirmation of dates through multiple credible sources. Though it has been confusing, with the dates confirmed we are now ready to move forward and start celebrating the events investigated through these articles to honor the confusing, but rich history of FVHS.
