OFFICIAL PAGE of Southern Alamance High School - Home of the Patriots
6A Central Conference
631 Southern High School Road, Graham, NC 27253 L.M.
Brief History of SAHS
In 1958, a school bond was passed to consolidate Alexander Wilson, Sylvan, E.M. Holt and Eli Whitney into one high school. The original plans for Southern High School were to accommodate eight hundred students with the guidance and leadership of Mr. Adcock as the founding principal. Although the location of the school is not centrally located to those four locations, the pr
operty was donated for the purpose of construction of a new school in the southern part of the county. The doors of the new high school officially opened on December 12, 1960 as the Southern High School Confederates. The first few years, the school operated without D building which was completed in 1965 and current auditorium which was added in the late 1960s. The 1960s hosted a lot of firsts for the new established high school. Miss Carolyn Layell was named the first Miss Southern. The year 1967 displayed Southern’s first marching band, while 1968 brought in the introduction of College Preparatory classes. The 1970s brought new identity to the Southern High School community while Alamance County Schools transitioned the culturally sensitive mascot of the Confederates out and revealed the new mascot of the Patriots. As new Patriots, students and teachers alike continued to thrive towards excellence. In 1983, the campus received new lockers which adorned some of the original stickers and signatures of those who walked the halls. In the summers of 2021 and 2022 the lockers from A, B, C, and D buildings were removed as more materials have become available electronically. With continued growth in the southern part of the community, there was a need for expansion. In the early 1990s, the campus underwent a major overhaul. Air conditioning was added to all classrooms. The old media center, once housed in the middle of campus, was converted into two chemistry classrooms (SC5 & SC6). During this same time, the Fine Arts wing was built, as well as, a new Media Center and Main Office. In 1990, Southern was the only school to offer AP US History, German, and a fine tuned ROTC program. The year 1996 brought county-wide changes as the Alamance County School System merged with Burlington City Schools. If you look closely around campus, you can still find furniture earmarked from one or the other. In 2005, the construction of E building, a four classroom addition, was commissioned to accommodate for the rising number of students. Campus growth would not stop there, in 2018 the school bond was passed, with renovations to Southern’s campus being the largest project. Ground broke in early summer 2021 and shortly thereafter, two parking lots were removed, A and B building halls and restrooms were gutted and remade, the carpentry and welding shops were torn down, the mobile unit was pulled away and the cafeteria received an expansion. Throughout the 2021-2022 school year, the framing and sheetrock were installed for a new front office, 13 new classrooms and new carpentry and welding shops. The cafeteria was also remodeled and the picnic area expanded. As the summer of 2022 progressed, the interior hallways of C, D, and the cafeteria were completed; the awnings, poles and sidewalks were removed and remade, the bus and car rider lot were paved and a renovation of the back of the office for more classroom space was completed. The much-loved Senior wall was started with the Class of 2000 and continues to be a highlight to each graduating senior class. As each new year comes, SAHS continues to make its mark. From FFA National Champions to Athletic State and Conference Championships, the commitment and dedication to Southern Alamance High School is like no other high school in the district.
06/23/2026
📚 Welcome to Patriot Nation, Mrs. Jennifer Habla!
Southern Alamance High School proudly welcomes Mrs. Jennifer Habla as a new History teacher!
Through engaging lessons, critical thinking, and meaningful connections to the past, Mrs. Habla will help students better understand the world and their place in it.
⭐ Inspiring Curiosity
⭐ Encouraging Critical Thinking
⭐ Connecting the Past to the Future
❤️ Welcome to the Patriot Family, Mrs. Habla!
06/23/2026
🎨 Welcome to Patriot Nation, Ms. Kate Gunther!
Southern Alamance High School proudly welcomes Ms. Kate Gunther to our Fine Arts Department as one of our Art teachers!
Ms. Gunther is passionate about helping students explore their creativity, develop their artistic skills, and express themselves through the visual arts.
Southern Alamance High School proudly welcomes Ms. Amanda O'Neil as our new Data Manager!
Her attention to detail, dedication to service, and commitment to supporting students, families, and staff will make her an invaluable member of the Patriot Family.
❤️ Welcome to Southern Alamance High School, Ms. O'Neil!
06/23/2026
📣 A Familiar Face, A New Role!
Southern Alamance High School proudly welcomes Mrs. Christy Lyle as our new Receptionist/Office Support (Front Office Secretary)!
A valued member of the Southern Alamance community and proud parent of Southern graduates, Mrs. Lyle brings a wealth of knowledge, school pride, and community connections to our front office team.
❤️ Welcome to the Southern Alamance family, Mrs. Lyle!
06/22/2026
Accountability ❤️🤍💙
06/22/2026
Please be mindful when visiting campus this summer. Entering these areas too soon can damage completed work and delay progress.
06/18/2026
Preparing for a Year of Patriot Excellence
The work of a successful school year begins long before students walk through the doors.
This week, Southern Alamance High School Principal Mrs. Lauren Acome, alongside the administrative team and dedicated teacher leaders, participated in the district’s Summer Symposium—engaging in meaningful conversations focused on student achievement, school improvement, and building a stronger Patriot community.
Thank you for your dedication to continuous improvement and excellence.
❤️🤍💙
📸 Photo Credit: Alamance-Burlington School System (ABSS)
06/17/2026
Much Success, Ms. Roach! ❤️💙
Today we celebrate and thank Ms. Roach for her dedication, hard work, and the positive impact she has made on the Southern Alamance High School community.
Please join us in wishing Ms. Roach much success, happiness, and fulfillment in this next chapter. We are grateful for all she has done for Southern and look forward to seeing all the great things ahead for her.
Once a Patriot, Always a Patriot! 🇺🇸❤️💙
06/16/2026
📣 Meet Our New Assistant Principal!
Southern Alamance High School proudly welcomes Mr. Tristen Perlberg to Patriot Nation!
Mr. Perlberg will serve students with last names Pe–Z and is excited to support our students, staff, and families as we begin the 2026–2027 school year.
❤️ Welcome to the Patriot Family, Mr. Perlberg! ❤️
06/16/2026
📣 Continuing the Mission at Southern Alamance!
We are excited to announce that Ms. Michelle Thompson will continue serving as Assistant Principal at Southern Alamance High School, and she will support students with the last names G-Pa.
Ms. Thompson remains committed to supporting our students, staff, families, and community as we continue building a culture of excellence and Patriot Pride.
❤️ Thank you for continuing to lead, serve, and support Patriot Nation!
06/23/2026
06/23/2026
06/23/2026
06/23/2026
06/22/2026
06/18/2026
06/17/2026
06/16/2026
06/16/2026