Alvin C. York Agricultural Institute celebrated its centennial anniversary Fridy by honoring the educational legacy and community impact of its namesake, Sergeant Alvin C. York.
Principal Abbi Dunford said the 100-year milestone represents a significant event for the local community. Dunford said the school remains deeply rooted in the history of Sergeant York and the specific mission he established for the institution.
“I was a student here and I got to go experience that and it was like watching something all over again and so we try to keep his legacy alive just by doing some of the same things,” Dunford said. “We want them to see what he did for us. We’re just everything pro-York around here.”
Dunford said the school ensures every freshman class understands this history by taking them to a local theater to watch the original black-and-white Alvin C. York film. Dunford said the faculty works to keep the legacy alive by ingraining the story of York’s contributions into the student body.
“We are so proud of the legacy that Sergeant York left for us and the fact that we have such a wonderful school here all because of what he did for us,” Dunford said. “That was his main focus as I’m sure you heard in the assembly there, but everybody that lives in this community is about this school.”
Dunford said the centennial celebration includes a series of tributes at athletic events, including recognition for Fentress County Century Farms and local veterans. Dunford said the school is also identifying legacy families who have seen three generations of students graduate from the institute.
“Our entire homecoming parade on the 11th of September and our homecoming game is all going to be built around our centennial,” Dunford said. “We have a spring fling dance down at Alvin C. York park in April, we’re going to have a big community get together down there. And everything this year is about the centennial and then our new school theme that’s just going to be our theme for the rest of life now is ‘Fight for it’ because Sergeant York fought for us and we’re going to fight for this.”
Dunford said the school is focused on evolving its academic and vocational programs to meet the changing needs of the modern workforce. Dunford said the administration is committed to adding new opportunities that prepare students for future careers that may not yet exist.
“We want to keep adding things here that our kids can go out and be productive, successful members of our community and communities beyond us,” Dunford said. “So we’re going to keep adding whatever we can do to make these kids have a successful life.”
