Five 6-year-olds take time from their lunch last Friday to chat with Piney Creek Principal Phil Howell about the day’s events. Pictured are Kendra Tate (in front), and from left are Josh Howard, Aaron Brown, Kansas Brooks, Howell and Makayla Mash.

Howell accepts post at Ashe High

Within a short time of Phil Howell’s arrival as principal at Piney Creek Elementary School, he learned he was the one who would be the pupil. Howell will leave the school at the end of the school year for a new learning experience as the principal of Ashe County High School.

“When I first came here, I had some parents, I had been here about maybe two weeks or so, who came to me and said we want playground equipment,” Howell recalled. “We got started on it (the project) at the end of July, first of August. By the end of the school year, I had a parent take a flatbed trailer to Alabama and pick up extremely nice playground equipment.

“This community, during the course of the year, had record fall festival earnings. Plus, they had given over $13,000 to the new playground. I was just amazed. You could see the strength that folks in a small community have and the pride they take in their school, in their children and grandchildren. It just amazes me. You always hope that you give something to your surroundings. These students have taught me a lot. Every day is a learning experience.”

Prior to coming to Piney, Howell had worked in the Ashe County School System for five years, serving as the assistant

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