Alleghany High Principal Derek Cantrell, right, honors longtime Covington High School and Covington Middle School custodian Gary Wayne Twitty at a recent retirement celebration. Twitty, once a devoted CHS supporter, proudly wears an AHS baseball hoodie symbolizing the unity forged by the merger of Covington and Alleghany high schools — a community brought together through shared traditions and histories. (AHPS Photo)
Covington High School, built in 1939, had long been recognized as a community staple, serving generations of students and families. Meanwhile, Alleghany High School, originally known as Alleghany County High School and established in 1963, had also played a vital role in the Alleghany Highlands’ educational landscape.
Cantrell, an alumnus of Alleghany High School, began his career coaching and teaching within Alleghany County Public Schools before moving to Covington High School to serve as principal.
Reflecting on his unique experience bridging both communities, he said, “I had kind of a unique perspective to have worked in both school divisions prior to consolidation.”
This unique insight became invaluable during the formation of Alleghany Highlands Public Schools in 2022, a merger of Alleghany County Public Schools, Covington City Public Schools, and Jackson River Technical Center. This consolidation was the result of decades of collaboration among local leaders, aimed at combining resources to strengthen educational opportunities across the region.
By 2023, the high schools had fully merged, bringing together students, staff, and traditions from both communities under one roof. Cantrell described this process as more than simply uniting two schools, it was about fostering a shared identity.
He emphasized the importance of intentional relationship-building among students, staff, and the community, which helped cultivate a unified school culture rooted in shared traditions and values.
“It’s been an awesome undertaking and quite an adventure,” Cantrell said.
Uniting the student body meant blending important traditions from both sides. Covington’s Senior Capping Ceremony and Distinguished Scholars Night continue to celebrate student achievement, while Alleghany’s senior handprints and Expo Day remain as cherished highlights. The school has also introduced new traditions, such as a homecoming parade that has traveled through both Covington and Clifton Forge, symbolizing the community’s growing unity.
As part of the consolidation planning process, leaders made intentional decisions to honor both schools’ legacies. It was determined that the new school mascot would be the Cougar, reflecting the history of Covington High School. The school colors were selected to represent and celebrate the traditions of both Covington and Alleghany High Schools, visually uniting the community and honoring its shared history.
To further celebrate the region’s educational heritage, the school also adopted a new fight song — a carefully blended composition that incorporates elements of the Covington and Alleghany fight songs, as well as the fight song from Clifton Forge High School, which closed in 1983. This musical tribute connects generations of students and adds another meaningful thread to the Alleghany Highlands’ shared identity.
Athletics have further strengthened school pride and cohesion. Even before the official consolidation, athletes from both schools trained together, creating early momentum for the new school year. Supported enthusiastically by the community, athletic programs have thrived with packed gyms, Friday night football games featuring fireworks, and well-attended spring competitions — all embodying the “Better Together” spirit and fostering shared experiences.
Behind the scenes, Kim Halterman and Melinda Snead-Johnson, leaders of Alleghany Highlands Public Schools, highlight the power of staff collaboration. Through shared professional development and the exchange of ideas, educators have enhanced their skills, benefiting student learning throughout the division.
In February, Cantrell shared this inspiring story on the Proud Principals Podcast, hosted by New Jersey principal Tony Cattani. The podcast spotlights professional development and unique leadership successes, and on the show, Cantrell detailed the rewarding yet challenging process of uniting the historic traditions of Covington High School and Alleghany High School.
Looking ahead, Cantrell will present at the Making Schools Work Conference in New Orleans this summer and at the Virginia Association of School Secondary Principals Conference in June. He will share the strategies, relationship-building techniques, and culture-focused initiatives that helped transform two high schools into one cohesive community. This fall, he will be a guest on the Better Leaders/Better Schools and Principal Matters podcasts.
Better Leaders/Better Schools and Principal Matters are two podcasts for school leaders. Better Leaders/Better Schools shares interviews with experts who talk about how to build great school communities and be a strong leader. Principal Matters offers helpful advice and tips for running schools well. Both podcasts are great resources for educators who want to make their schools better and support their students and staff.
As Alleghany Highlands Public Schools continues to evolve, the story of unity and collaboration at Alleghany High School stands as a strong example of what can be achieved when communities embrace a shared vision. Cantrell’s work demonstrates that through intentional relationships, respect for tradition, and a commitment to being “Better Together,” schools can build not only stronger programs but brighter futures for their students and communities alike.
For more information and updates, follow Alleghany Highlands Public Schools on Facebook at @AHPublicSchools and on Instagram at @ahpublicschools. To learn more about the division, visit www.ahps.k12.va.us.