Apex High School has a diverse and unique history, but oftentimes it is overshadowed by today’s world and our lack of information regarding the school and town. While this may seem unimportant, the history of Apex High School tells a story about African Americans and life in Wake County during the Civil Rights era that should not be forgotten, and cannot be forgotten. 

First, background information is important. Segregation was the norm in the United States, especially here in the southeast. However, in 1954, the landmark Brown v. Board of Education case had the Supreme Court ruling segregation unconstitutional and looking to desegregate the schools. While this was the de jure law, it was more common in many racist areas to keep the schools desegregated because of the lack of enforcement. Years before, many Rosenwald schools had also been built which sought to educate African Americans more and provide adequate facilities. Both of these will be important to remember when we talk about the school’s history. 

The original Apex High was on Moore Street (Apex Elementary) and established in 1922, but was unjust and only catered to white students. Black students were allowed to attend by their own volition, but did not gain access to most facilities and even the buses. One black student in Pluck, Perseverance, and Paint describes being laughed at by the white children on her way to school. At the time, the mascot of the school was the Yellowjackets. 

There was also a school intended for solely African American students. The Rosenwald school went by the name of Apex Consolidated High and its mascot was the Tigers. Not much is known about the school, but Apex Elementary has consecrated a sign on their campus to remember the school and the struggles of its students during a time of racial tension and segregation. 

In 1975, segregation in Apex ended. The new building was raised on our current campus here in Laura Duncan Rd. and it hasn’t moved since. White and African American students were allowed to go to school together, and to show this growth and collaboration they decided to make the school mascot a cougar. They felt that the Cougar was the best mix between the Apex High Yellowjackets and the Apex Consolidated High Tigers. 

Champ the Cougar may seem silly or just like every other school’s mascot, but he is a constant reminder of the struggles that African American students endured during the time of segregation and how now we all work together, learn together, and grow together. 

While we can’t change what happened and the injustice many students faced, we can remember it. I hope that this article allows people to realize the history of our school and how so many students have been negatively and positively impacted by this school. If we are unable to change the past, the only thing we can do now is try and create the best, most inclusive, and safest future possible for the Apex community.