Covington Middle School elicits both good and bad memories for those who attended it. The current Timberwolves who were previously Colts may remember things such as: the big cookies they sold for sixty cents, the eel in the library fish tank, the SLP, people being suspended for having duct tape on their clothes, games where people slapped each other, watching the Sandlot and playing cards during class.

“I remember that class with no windows,” said Emily Snell as Kara Yenne added, “I remember the dances, or activity nights.”

Life at Covington differed substantially from high school. Abbey Snell recalls “everybody was friends with everybody,” and that in a big school like Heritage “you never see good old friends.” Keisha Gordon noted that in middle school “peer pressure started” and “the rules were more enforced.” Heritage students also noted that at Covington they had cheaper food, no pop machines, much more drama, and less competition in sports.

This school, being older than some of our parents, saw many different student generations. Established in 1960, Covington originally consisted of just four classrooms and an office. Heritage teacher Sandy Jackson was in the first class to “graduate” from Covington; they started in 7th grade (then the only grade in the school) and went until 9th grade.

At the recent “farewell” in honor of the school’s retirement, she said that they picked the school colors and mascot, and people made out behind the choir room door. She said that in 9th grade science “I was asked to do a project where I grew fruit flies.” She explained that fruit flies come from maggots and she grew them outside her house.

Rose Funk, former secretary, informed the audience that she made $1.47 an hour working there many years ago. Hugh Shuford, former principal, also related that Covington was the only school with a recognized nickname, entitled “the Dome,” and that in the ‘80s they had some of the same teachers Heritage students may have had themselves, such as Ken Howell, Dan Marlow and Tom Snell. Shuford also says of Covingtonians: “These are the greatest people around.”

Regardless of one’s experience with this school, upon encountering its current state, they would almost certainly agree that the new building was deeply needed. The rate of decay has increased and only Covington’s current students appreciate the full magnitude.

Current principal Byron Molle said the Covington staff feels “really anxious” that right after Christmas break, classes will resume in the new Covington. There will be an open house on January 31 so they can show off the new building. “Classic Covington” shall soon be obsolete, but after its demolition it will still last within our memories.