Three decades, five principals and one enduring legacy: Weddington Hills Elementary celebrates 30 years

Former teachers, administrators and all five principals reunite to celebrate a school whose tradition of academic excellence and close-knit community has endured through decades of growth and change.

Current Weddington Hills Elementary principal Annessia Lee with her four predecessors Jackie Whitfield, Roger Smith, Janet Smith and Chasity Dolan. Photo credit: Emily Nance.

When Weddington Hills Elementary School opened its doors in November 1996, it was already several months behind schedule.

Construction delays had pushed the opening of Cabarrus County’s first new school in 20 years from the traditional start of the academic year to just after Veterans Day.

Teachers and administrators arriving from four different schools faced the daunting task of bringing together hundreds of students and establishing a new school community in the middle of the academic year.

But on that first morning, something remarkable happened.