Owen seniors cruise into graduation day

Fourth Annual Rally in the Valley rolls through Swannanoa

Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo
June 9, 2023

Before the seniors of the Owen High School class of 2023 were set to walk across the stage to close out their high school careers, they took a final ride, June 9, through the parking lot of the Swannanoa Ingles. 

The Rally in the Valley, an annual community initiative celebrating Owen graduates, returned for its fourth year. 

Dozens of seniors gathered in the parking lot near First Baptist Church Swannanoa, where vehicles were decorated with window paint, balloons, posters and more. The group, escorted by a Buncombe County Sheriff deputy and the Elmer Ingle pickup truck, followed a winding route through family, friends and supporters.

The celebration of the senior class, organized by Chelley Williams, Courtney King and a crew of volunteers, was attended by Swannanoa, Riceville and Black Mountain Fire Departments and included music and entertainment from Star 104.3.

Rally in the Valley began in 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic and has since been held on the Friday before graduation day. The community initiative features a parade-like atmosphere in which onlookers cheer seniors along the route, which is confined to the east parking lot.

Photos of the 2023 Rally in the Valley can be viewed in the gallery at the top of the page.