25 years after Middleton and St. Andrew’s merged, alumni try to preserve their identity
by Donna Jacobs | Contributing Writer
Lights. Camera. Action. Calling all alumni of St. Andrew’s High School (Rocks) and Middleton High School (Razorbacks). You are wanted front and center for a documentary focused on the impact of the merger of St. Andrew’s High School and Middleton High School into the new West Ashley High School. Tim Fennell, a Middleton High School graduate of 1979, with the help of Neal Kinard, a Middleton High School graduate of 1986, is producing this documentary. They need your memories, memorabilia, stories, photographs, annuals, old 8mm movies, or anything you have to offer to the project: Rocks and Razorbacks: When Your School Goes Away.
But first, the backstory: The lovely thing about our community paper, West Of Free Press, is that it reaches the community, is read by the community, and it is about the community. Fennell found me via the West Ashley Flashback. Editor & Publisher Lorne Chambers graciously offered me the column space after the publication of West Ashley. The Flashback was born out of a need to continue the research of the modern history of St. Andrew’s Parish, and I’ve been learning and sharing since 2011. I was delighted to receive an email from Fennell and learn that he has quite the project in mind.
Fennell grew up in Old Towne Acres, where the neighborhood kids were split between the two high schools. This fact may have planted a seed that later on bloomed into the thoughts that provide the basis for this documentary. His interest in film began at the early age of 10. His first Super 8 was a stop motion feature: Zobar vs. The Ancient Creatures (spoiler alert: Zobar was a popular toy robot and the ancient creatures were plastic dinosaurs). He went on to use this Super 8 media in fulfilling school assignments, often turning in a movie instead of the assigned written essay. He followed in his brother Eddie’s footsteps, attending the University of South Carolina and graduating with a degree in Broadcast Journalism. He immediately landed a job at WIS News in Columbia.
For the next several years, Fennell moved around, gaining experience, dabbling in independent film, and generally earning his chops before settling in as an adjunct professor and teaching in the Communications Department at the College of Charleston (1990-2015). The final stop of his professional career (2015-2025) was spent teaching at Trident Technical College. TV production, documentary development, and media impact were fully loaded in his DNA, and he has a few Regional Emmys as proof.
Retirement can often open new doors. In Fennell’s case, this happened when he learned about the future demolition of the C.E. Williams North Campus building that once housed his beloved Middleton High School sparked something in him. The powers-that-be have decided it is time for the school to have a new structure. Seeing the Senior Lawn and the grand moss-draped trees lined with protective chain link fencing ready for demolition sparked a pang in Fennell. Remembering that split of school alliance from his neighborhood, he wondered what happens in the psyche of individuals when their school closes/merges/is demolished?
Fennell wanted to use his love for documentary filmmaking to explore the Rocks/Razorbacks story as a microcosm of a larger phenomenon seen in South Carolina.
“When I found out that the old Middleton building was set to be bulldozed, I realized this was going to be more than a physical demolition—it was going to be an emotional event,” he said. “A place that played such a huge part in shaping so many of our lives is going away. It’s hard enough to accept your high school not existing, but now, we must accept the walls, the reminders, are gone. I make documentaries to tell great stories – this is a great story, and it’s personal.”
In Fennell’s press release for the project, he describes the film as “A Celebration and Reflection”, that will be shown “Through interviews with former teachers, alumni, and reenactments of significant events such as school integration, historical milestones, and cultural shifts, the documentary will highlight the unique experiences of students across generations. The nostalgic journey will be complemented by music, animations, and comparisons between past and present educational environments.”
Fennell quickly found that people were interested and quite excited about this idea. Without hesitation, Neal Kinard came on board to serve as a Co-Producer.
“I’ve known and worked on projects with Tim for over 30 years. He’s the only person I know who is even more laid back than myself, so before he even finished telling me about the project, I said I’m in!” said Kinard. “I know this is going to be a fun project.”
As the Founder, Producer, and Director of Photography at Hank Productions, Kinard brings 35 years of experience in news, commercial, and network production to the project. Some of his expertise is seen in Southern Spine Institute’s medical docuseries, PBS series: “Live at the Charleston Music Hall,” and segments for CBS Sunday Morning. In addition, Kinard is an Emmy Award-winning Director of Photography and Producer.
Mark Bryan of Hootie and the Blowfish has agreed to be the film’s music supervisor. His fellow bandmate Darius Rucker is by far Middleton’s most famous alum. Fennell, Kinard, and Bryan collaborated on the “Live at the Charleston Music Hall: Edwin McCain” episode, part of the PBS series: Live at the Charleston Music Hall.
The team was in place.
Fennell has approached SCETV, which formally expressed interest in airing the documentary upon its completion. Several local notables—such as beloved news anchor Bill Sharpe and Fennell’s brother, longtime Post & Courier reporter Edward Fennell, both graduates of St. Andrew’s High School’s Class of 1968—are already on board to participate. Former St. Andrew’s principal Neal Golden (1973–1985) and legendary coach Rusty Davis have also agreed to be interviewed.
I have learned that this community cherishes its history and memories, and we want to share them. What better way than to move to the video/internet platform and have a documentary for all to not only enjoy but also learn about the school establishments that no longer exist?
So, where does the community go from here?
Documentarian Tim Fennell would love to have you become part of the Rocks and Razorbacks: When Your School Goes Away project. Dig through your memorabilia. Pull out those annuals. Find those fun pictures. Then, contact him via email: rocks.and.razorbacks@gmail.com. You can also follow his Facebook page: Rocks and Razorbacks – The Documentary & The Podcast.
