Western Harnett High School

Western Harnett High School is one of six high schools in Harnett County, North Carolina, United States. The other high schools include, Harnett Central, Triton, Overhills, the alternative school and Harnett Early College, located in Dunn, NC. WHHS is located approximately 11 miles southwest of Lillington, the county seat on N.C. Highway 27. The school was officially dedicated in May 1978, along with Harnett Central High School.[2] The mascot for WHHS is the eagle.

Western Harnett High School
Western Harnett High School, west side
Address
10637 Highway 27 West

Lillington, North Carolina
27546-9600

United States
Coordinates35°20′10″N 78°58′52″W
Information
TypePublic
Established1977 (1977)
School districtHarnett County Schools
SuperintendentAaron Fleming
CEEB code342322
PrincipalMatthew Price
Faculty69.71 (FTE)[1]
Grades9–12
Enrollment1,388 (2018–19)[1]
Student to teacher ratio19.91[1]
Color(s)Red, white, and blue
   
Team nameEagles
Communities servedBoone Trail and Benhaven
Feeder schoolsWestern Harnett Middle School
Websitewww.harnett.k12.nc.us/Domain/34

History

Ground was broken for Western Harnett High School in October 1975. Those present at this ceremony were Superintendent R. A. Gray, Harnett County Commissioners, and the three student council presents from the three high schools that would compose Western Harnett: Boone Trail, Benhaven, and Anderson Creek. Construction on Western Harnett took two years. The doors opened for students on September 7, 1977. Ross Lane had been hired by HCS to be the first principal, but before the school year even started he left for another position. Bob Beasley, principal at Angier High School was chosen to be the first principal at Western Harnett High School. He remained as principal until 1987 when he was elevated to the position of Assistant Superintendent of Harnett County Schools. Beasley was followed by Donny Hunter, 1987–1988; G Steve McNeill, 1988–1990; Henry Holt, 1990–1999; David Stewart, 1999–2000; David Pugh, 2000–2001; Jackie Samuels, 2001–2003; Terry Hinson, 2003–2008; William Wright, 2008–2011; Stan Williams, 2011–2013; Chris Pearson 2013–2018; Matthew Price 2018–2022; Ryan Mcneill 2022&present. In 2002, it was entered into U.S. Congressional testimony that Western Harnett had so increased size that 22 trailers were being used to accommodate the large student body.[3] After swelling to more than 1,900 students in 2003–04,[4] Overhills High School was opened to help accommodate the large number of students in the area, which encompassed the Anderson Creek and part of the Benhaven school district.

Demographics

Western Harnett is ethnically diverse, with about a fifth of the student population of black ethnicity, another fifth of Hispanic ethnicity and just over half of the student population of white ethnicity.[5] About 9 percent of the student population participates in Advance Placement (AP) programs.[6]

Notable alumni
  • Eric Swann, former NFL defensive tackle and 2x All-Pro and Pro Bowl selection[7]

References
  1. "Western Harnett High". National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  2. John Hairr (31 July 2002). Harnett County: A History. Arcadia Publishing. pp. 197–. ISBN 978-1-4396-1394-8.
  3. Congressional Record, Vol. 148, Pt. 7, May 23, 2002 to June 12, 2002. Government Printing Office. May 2006. pp. 9340–. ISBN 978-0-16-076125-6.
  4. "CarolinaPreps.com | The Carolinas #1 Source For High School Football News". carolinapreps.com. Archived from the original on 2015-03-25.
  5. "Western Harnett High". School Directory Information. National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved 18 April 2017.
  6. "Western Harnett High Test Scores". High Schools. U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved 18 April 2017.
  7. Eric Swann Stats. Pro-Football-Reference. Retrieved 13 March 2019.
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