Onward Bearcat Fight Song
Every pep rally and sporting event shares one thing in common – a song that resounds amongst alumni, students, and community members – “Onward Bearcats.” When singing, “We are here for, We will cheer for,” have you ever even stopped to think what it means or where it even came from? In investigating this answer, the research proved to be quite impressive and worthy of sharing with you.
1880 two schools existed in Verona – “one a public school… operated by the county” and another a provide school known as “The League Institute.” The private school continued until 1910, consolidating with other public schools and erecting the first building by 1914 in Verona. In Walton, high school subjects were offered in a private school started by Mrs. Clara Myers and lasted from 1880 to 1902, at which time it became a public school.
In the fall of 1935, Walton and Verona joined to become one school district. In honor of this consolidation, Mr. William Ransler (who assisted in getting Walton Public School started) wrote the song you now sing.
In 1880, founders of private schools in Verona and Walton were pushing “Onward” as we continue to do every day in the halls of our school. “We are proud to say,” as I am sure they would say looking at our progress today, “we’re from WVHS!”
Courtesy of: Nancy Ryan
Citation: “History of Walton-Verona Schools.” Chronicles of Boone County Kentucky, 1961.
Interested in searching more? Visit – https://cbc.bcplhistory.org/doku.php?id=history_of_the_walton-verona_schools.