Rockbridge County High School was originally founded in 1992. The new RCHS consolidated Rockbridge High School, Natural Bridge High School, and Lexington High School. Students from all walks of life were welcomed into the new school. Maury River Middle School teacher Amy Woody was in the class of 1996 and was one of the first people to attend the new  Rockbridge County High School. 

“The vo-tech building was originally located where RCHS is now,” said Woody. “This is where all your vocational skills classes are. The rest of the high school was then expanded onto the vo-tech center.”

Choosing the original school colors was an exciting time for Woody. 

“The student body actually got to vote on the colors. The color choices were between blue and silver, purple and gold, and green and gold. At the time, I voted purple and gold, but honestly, I couldn’t see it any different than blue and silver,” said Woody. “I remember it being very fun and exciting being able to vote on school colors. I remember sitting in Lylburn Downing Middle School while voting.” 

Choosing the mascot was another task that the new high school had to take on. 

“We voted on the mascot in the same way. I remember that everyone was trying to make the mascot distinctive, to make sure it didn’t look like Rockbridge was using the same mascot from another school,” said Woody. “I remember voting on the wildcat, and the first mascot suit we had was cheetah-printed. It was funny.” 

Woody believes that the one thing that has changed from when she was in high school is how students interact with each other. 

“When I was in school, one thing that was really big was that all of the high schools had first combined. I was part of one of the first classes to graduate from RCHS,” said Woody. “I had no previous connection to other students from other schools. Now, only two schools combine into RCHS today, and that would be MRMS and LDMS.” 

Woody also believes that somethings have also stayed the same since her time at RCHS. 

“Curriculum and graduation standards have changed since I’ve graduated. SOL’s and content taught in classes were different,” said Woody. “The windows in the high school also haven’t changed. One thing that has really stayed the same is the goal to educate children in Rockbridge County.”