Mitchell County native and former North Carolina State Senator Wanda Holder Hunt was at Mitchell High School Thursday, Dec. 5, to watch her goddaughter, Angel West, compete as a member of the Mountaineer wrestling squad. Pictured, from left, is Mitchell Head Wrestling Coach Ed Duncan, West and Hunt. (Submitted)
LEDGER – A Mitchell County native and former North Carolina State Senator was at Mitchell High School Thursday, Dec. 5, to watch her goddaughter compete as a member of the Mountaineer wrestling squad.
Wanda Holder Hunt was born on Charles Creek Road in Mitchell County. She moved from the area after her freshman year at Mitchell High School.
Hunt later attended Appalachian State University, got married, had a daughter and settled in Pinehurst.
Hunt worked as the head purchasing manager for the Department of Transportation and as a social worker for the Department of Social Services in Raleigh. She was elected to the Moore County Board of Education and was eventually elected as the District 16 State Senator, serving in that position for 10 years.
Hunt attended the Mitchell wrestling match, with her daughter, Donna Reisterer, and her friend, Sandy West, to watch her goddaughter, Angel West, compete. Hunt was able to see her in person because after living in Pinehurst for 55 years, she has moved back to her hometown.
This season West is competing in the 145-pound weight class for the Mountaineers, but she has also paved the way for other females to join the team, and this year its female contingency has grown to five.