J. P. Taravella High School

J. P. Taravella High School
File:Http://www.browardschools.com/schoolsplash1/schoolpictures/2751.jpg
J.P.T. Where the "P" stands for Pride!
Address
10600 Riverside Drive Coral Springs, Florida 33071
Information
School type	High School
Founded	1981
School board	Broward County Public Schools
Principal	Shawn Cerra
Vice principal	Brian Norris
Grades	9-12
Enrollment	2903  (2011)
Area	Broward County
Color(s)	Silver      and Blue
Mascot	The Trojan
Team name	Trojans
Website	http://www.jptaravella.com/

J. P. Taravella High School is a secondary school located in Coral Springs, Florida which teaches grades 9-12. The school is a part of the Broward County Public Schools district.

J. P. Taravella is ranked within the top 1% of all public high schools in the United States. It was also the recipient of the Blue Ribbon School of Excellence Award in 1987, and has an FCAT school grade of "B" for the 2009-2010 academic year.

J.P. Taravella has a very active vocal music department which has received many accolades both within Broward County and throughout the state of Florida. The vocal music department is currently under the direction of Mrs. Katherine LaRosa.

In 2007 Taravella won the Grand Championship and also swept all awards at the Vero Beach Crown Jewel Marching competition. Also, recently the J.P. Taravella Marching Band was picked as one of two bands (the other being Florida A&M) to represent Florida in Obama's presidential inauguration.

The school is renowned for its competitive Speech and Debate team, coached by Beth Goldman, whose members have garnered numerous accolades—both locally and nationally. At the 2009 NFL National Tournament in Birmingham, Alabama, all three Taravella national qualifiers finished in the top six. Captain John Mern finished sixth in the nation in United States Extemporaneous Speaking, and Debate Co-Captains Mickael Silangil and Brian Zakarin finished fourth in the nation in Public Forum Debate.

History

The school was named after Joseph Phillip Taravella (1919–1978), who was the president and chairman of Coral Ridge Properties Incorporated, Westinghouse Electric Corporation, and a founder of the City of Coral Springs.

Demographics

As of 2011, the total student enrollment was 3865. The ethnic makeup of the school was 50% White, 15% Black, 24% Hispanic, 2% Asian or Pacific Islander, 5% Multiracial, and 3% Native American or Native Alaskan.

Notable alumni

• Chad Gilbert, lead guitarist and composer for the Pop Punk band New Found Glory
• Jordan Pundik, Frontman and composer for the Pop Punk band New Found Glory
• Ryan Primack, musician, founding member of Poison The Well
• Brian Tutunick, aka Olivia Newton Bundy Musician, bassist
• Todd Weiner, former NFL football player
• Michelle A. Bart, (Class of 1987), National journalist and media correspondent, LGBT and Human Trafficking Victim's Advocate
• John J. Miller (Class of 1988), National political reporter
• Jeordie White (Class of 1989), aka Twiggy Ramirez, bassist
• Michael T. Dunn (Class of 1995), actor and film director
• Dan Morgan (Class of 1997), former NFL football player
• James Labella (Class of 1998), aka Murf
• Matt Ford (Class of 1999), former major league baseball player
• Todd Widom (Class of 2001), professional tennis player
• Jonathan D. Lovitz (Class of 2002), professional actor and LGBT advocate
• Etai Benshlomo (Class of 2005), Broadway theatre actor, main cast of Wicked.
• Kylewilliam Campol (Class of 2006), musician, founding member of imadethismistake, author of "Safe Travels"
• Alexandra Flores (Class of 2008), avid reader, musician, scholar, author of notable essay "Hotel Chevalier and the Lancelot Proper"
• Sam Cucci (Class of 2010), singer, cantorial soloist
• Austin Leeds (Class of 1996) International DJ, Electronic Dance Music Artist

External links

• Official Site General Background
• JPTV Taravella's TV Station
• Drama Club Information Taravella Drama Troupe 3502 Link
• J.P. Taravella Music Band Info
• Varsity and JV Football Information Varsity and JV Football Information