Fuquay-Varina High School is celebrating its 50th year serving students, and the softball program is participating in that celebration.
Prior to a non-conference home game against Enloe, Wake County Public School System Area Superintendent Dr. Ashlie Thompson delivered the ceremonial first pitch.
Thompson has worked for WCPSS for 30 years, beginning her career as an English teacher at Fuquay-Varina. In her six years at Fuquay-Varina, she served as the assistant softball coach.
After her time at Fuquay-Varina, Thompson taught for four years at Middle Creek High School before becoming an assistant principal at Enloe High School. She has also served as the principal of Vernon Malone College & Career Academy and worked in the WCPSS Magnet and Curriculum Enhancement Office.
Since 2017, Thompson has served as the Southwestern, Central, and Southern Area Superintendent.
Field dedication happening in April
In April, Fuquay-Varina will dedicate the softball field in honor of longtime coach Deb Clarke.
Clarke taught and coached at Fuquay-Varina for 29 years, serving as a physical education teacher, department chair, and head softball coach.
In that time, Clarke compiled a record of 438-125. The Bengals made the playoffs 29 consecutive times under her leadership and captured 14 conference titles.
In the state playoffs, Clarke’s teams made five semifinal appearances and one state championship appearance.
Clarke was inducted into the Fuquay-Varina Athletics Hall of Fame in 2023.
Clarke taught more than 5,000 students and coached more than 400 athletes during her time at Fuquay-Varina, including 31 who played college softball.
The Wake County Board of Education approved the field dedication in December.
The dedication will take place on April 9, when the Bengals host Garner. The ceremony will begin at 5:45 p.m., with the first pitch scheduled for 6 p.m.
