Terrebonne High School

Terrebonne High School
Motto	Where Learning Lasts a Lifetime
Established	1908
Type	Public
Principal	Mr. Graham Douglas
Students	1,500 est.
Grades	10 - 12, with a limited number of freshmen
Location	7318 Main Street, Houma, Louisiana, United States
Colors	Crimson & Gold
Mascot	Ida the Tiger
Rival	H.L. Bourgeois High School, South Terrebonne High School
Website	Terrebonne High School

Terrebonne High School is a high school in Houma, Louisiana, United States.

It is a part of the Terrebonne Parish School District.

History

On July 7, 1908, it was announced that bids would be taken for the new building. The first building constructed as a high school in Terrebonne Parish was completed in 1909. Built to handle up to 400 students, it was located on the corner of Goode and Point Streets behind the St. Francis de Sales church.

When Mr. W.P. Tucker passed away in 1909, Mr. Foote succeeded him and became the first professionally trained educator to serve as superintendent. The second principal of THS, Mr. A.E. Phillips, served from 1910 to 1914. Oddly enough, the 1910 census noted he had been previously employed in the sewing machine business.

With a larger school capable of handling more students, the Superintendent Foote began work on consolidating the school system in 1910. Rather than have many small schools scattered around the parish, students would be given the opportunity to travel to Houma to attend school. Obviously, transportation was an issue. To help foster attendance from outside the city, boats (known as transfers) were used to shuttle students to and from school.

In 1911, several new endeavors began at THS. In that year, the commercial (business) classes began. The tennis club started that school year. At the end of the school year, the juniors began holding an annual event in which they bid farewell to the seniors.

Even in its early days, there were student organizations. The 4H club began a group at THS in 1914. Other clubs of the day included the Glee Club, the Reporter’s Club, and two literary societies (Washington Irving and Alpha Beta Gamma).

One of the earliest sports at THS was football. The organization of the program in those days was very casual. For example, the coach for the 1914 team was the quarterback Allen LeCompte. The earliest surviving yearbook (1915) reveals the males played football, basketball, baseball, track, and had a tennis club. Girls played baseball and basketball as well. Most sports were made up of class teams that played against each other in-school. While there were in-school football games, the football team did play other schools. Their 1914 record was 2-2-1. The girls’ basketball team also played several games against other teams.

At that time, the high school grades consisted of eighth through twelfth grades. For the 1914-1915 school year, 53.8% of students passed all subjects. A bit more than half (59%) of the student body was female. Those females were also scoring better grades than the males (85.1% to 79.8%). The average age of both boys and girls in high school was 17. Attendance at high school was 94%. The common punishment for talking and other offenses was to stay 45 minutes after dismissal (for girls) or to walk “tours” around the block a number of times (for boys). In the spring, there would be an annual rally in which students from around the parish met at THS for academic and athletic competition.

A large clock was purchased (with the funds raised by the 1914 senior play) and placed in the hallway. Statues of Washington, Lee, Franklin, and Longfellow were placed in the library in 1915. Two large pictures on the “Evolution of the Book” were placed in the hallway. Though the Ladies’ Auxiliary bought many books for the library, the senior play “Puss in Boots” also contributed money for books after the funds were used to pay for the Panorama.

The year 1914 brought a new superintendent, Mr. Henry L. Bourgeois, who had been the principal of the Romesville High School. Mr. Foote moved to a new job and eventually ended up in Baton Rouge as the supervisor for rural schools statewide. Mr. Bourgeois continued Mr. Foote’s efforts to consolidate the schools. The number of boat transfers increased. The boats were joined by buses in the early 1930s.

The yearbook, previously published only in 1908, resumed publication in 1913. It was also produced in 1914, 1915, and 1916. The next yearbook would not be published until 1938. The 1913 yearbook contained the THS alma mater, pledging allegiance to a flag of crimson and gold. The early yearbooks give us a glimpse at school life in those days.

When Mr. Phillips left to become Superintendent of Schools in Arkadelphia, Arkansas in 1914, Mr. O. H. Briedenbach (then principal of Bunkie High School) became principal of THS. The student population was 950, 110 of which were in the high school department. Though called Terrebonne High School, students from primary grades through seniors attended classes in the building.

During Briedenbach's tenure as principal (1914-1918), it became apparent that the student body was outgrowing the relatively new building. Plans were made for a new school to be located on the block behind the courthouse. The old rooster firehouse and the old school building on the block were torn down at that time. A contract for a new school building was signed on April 3, 1918.

In those days, students had to pass an entrance exam to enter college. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools established an accreditation program whereby accredited school graduates did not have to take the exam. In 1914, Terrebonne High became the second high school in the state (after Saline High School in 1905) to receive accreditation. Two other schools were accredited in 1914.

Today, Terrebonne High houses grades 10-12 with some freshmen on campus. Most freshmen attend Houma Junior High School. It is the second oldest accredited high school in the state of Louisiana. The accreditation was awarded by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools in 1914. During this time Terrebonne High School has occupied four different buildings; the old Houma Fireman's Hall, the Houma Elementary Building on Goode and Point Streets, the Houma Junior High building on the site on the original Fireman's building or "rooster school" which is the present location of the courthouse annex, and the present Terrebonne High School building on West Main Street in Houma.

Terrebonne High Principals

Mr. John M. Foote (1908-1910)
Mr. A.E. Phillips (1910-1914)
Mr. O.H. Briendenbach (1914-1918)
Mr. P.G. Rogers (1918-1921)
Mr. M.S. Robertson (1921-1922)
Mr. E.L. Talbot (1922-1940)
Mr. Charles A. LeBlanc (1940-1955)
Mr. Louis D. Rogers (1955-1968)
Mr. Warren G. Sevin (1968-1982)
Mr. John Wayne Chaisson (1982-1988)
Mr. Ulyse J. Louviere (1988-1995)
Mr. David C. Bourg (1995-2003)
Mr. Graham Douglas (2003-present)

School Dress Code

The school requires its students to wear school uniforms. The school's designated alternate shirt color is "Crimson." (the page adds "not Red.") All students are encouraged to "Dress for Success." The dress code policy can be found on the TPSD website (under Administration-Policy).

All students attending Terrebonne Parish Schools are required to adhere to the Board’s mandatory uniform policy. New students to the parish will be given two weeks from the date of enrollment to obtain the required uniform.

Uniforms shall be worn as follows:

Boys: Solid White or Crimson shirt, khaki pants or shorts.
Girls: Solid White or Crimson blouse, khaki pants, pleated or straight skirt, shorts, skorts, or jumper. 

Dress Code Regulations

1. All students will wear the designated school uniform clothing as outlined in the uniform policy. All clothing must be worn as designed by manufacturer. (No tying outerwear around waist or neck).
2. The wearing of uniforms which are oversized, baggy, sagging, torn, or extremely tight fitting is prohibited. Cut off shorts are not acceptable.
3. Pants must be hemmed and side slits are not permitted.
4. Belts may not be more than one size larger than the waist. Waistbands should be worn on waist.
5. Shirts must be worn tucked in at all times. Undergarments must not be visible. Blouses must be buttoned/worn so as not to reveal cleavage.
6. Uniform shirt collars must be visible when wearing a sweatshirt/sweater. Hooded sweatshirts with no zipper are prohibited.
7. Shorts, skirts, and jumpers may be worn not shorter than five inches (5”) from the floor when kneeling.
8. Footwear must be worn to school and students are encouraged to wear socks. Students wearing shorts, skirts, or skorts must wear socks, which are white, black, khaki, navy, gray, or designated school color.
9. Slippers, sandals, back-less shoes, flip-flops, and crocs are not acceptable.
10. Body piercing (except for ears) that is visible will be prohibited. (Ex. nose, lips, tongue, eyebrows, etc.)
11. Students will not be allowed to wear ornate or cumbersome jewelry. Earrings larger than a quarter are not acceptable.
12. Optional: The name and/or logo of the school may be professionally sewn/printed on the shirt, sweatshirt, or sweater. No other emblem or writing, other than the school’s name may be on the shirt,
sweatshirt, or sweater.
13. Student's hair must be groomed in such a manner that it will not draw undue attention. Only naturally occurring hair colors are allowed (black, brunette, auburn, or blonde—natural or dyed).
14. Faces must be kept neat, both in the case of boys with facial hair or girls with excessive make-up.
15. Students may not wear police or military grade body armor.

• The principal may exercise discretionary authority in the interpretation of the aforementioned rules and anything which necessitates judgement as to what is appropriate.

Grooming and Uniform Violations Consequences

(To be addressed by teachers inside the classroom.)

First Offense: Record in Gradebook, warned (student should call home to correct the infraction). Office referral is not necessary.
Second Offense: Office referral, dress code letter sent to parent, detention, and correction of the infraction.
Third Offense: Office referral, parent notification. Saturday School, and correction of infraction.
Fourth Offense: Office referral, parent notification, one-day out-of-school suspension, and correction of infraction.
Fifth Offense: Office referral, parent notification, two-days out-of-school suspension, and correction of the infraction.
Sixth Offense: Student will not be allowed to return to school until it is established that he/she will adhere to grooming and dress code regulations.

Student I.D. Card Information

Students will be required to wear their I.D. cards over the upper chest area in a visible manner while at school. I.D. cards must be worn throughout the school day. I.D.s must be surrendered

upon demand to a teacher.

The Student I.D. serves as the following:

1. Lunch Number
2. Internet Usage
3. Early Dismissal Pass.

The following consequences will be in effect for not wearing the student I.D. card:

First Offense: The student is warned, issued a temporary card, and the offense is recorded by teacher.
Second Offense: The student will be issued a temporary card by teacher, the conduct grade will be lowered one letter grade, and punish work will be issued (1 copy of “Proper Behavior”) and
will be handed in to the teacher the next day.
Third Offense: The student will be issued a temporary card by teacher, referred to the office, and assigned 3 days of detention.
Fourth Offense: The student will be issued a temporary card by teacher, referred to the office, and assigned Saturday School.
Fifth Offense: The student will be referred to the office and receive a school suspension (one day).

NOTE:
1. I.D. code violations will be accumulated by term (fall and spring).
2. If an I.D. is lost or stolen, the student will be responsible to pay a fee of $5.00 for a permanent replacement.
3. I.D. code violations outside of the classroom should be referred to the office.

School Songs

Present Day Alma Mater

The words for the Alma Mater were put to a tune arranged by Hal M. Gilder in 1943, but only the first verse is used today.

The praises of Terrebonne High School sing.
Our voices raise on high.
Her glorious name to the breezes fling,
'Til echoes rend the sky.
For noble deeds, for honor bright,
For truth's unbroken sway.
For victories won in virtue's fight,
We herald her fame today.

Original Alma Mater Written in 1943

It is known that the Terrebonne High School Alma Mater dates back to at least 1913. After a period of approximately twenty-five years when it wasn't sung, the class of 1943 was vital in restoring the Alma Mater to its rightful place in the school. At that time only the words were available. Since the music was lost, Hal M. Gilder, the music teacher, wrote the present arrangement of this song with the assistance of the Honorable J. Louis Watkins, a student in 1913 who remembered the original melody.

The praises of Terrebonne High School sing. 
Your voices raise on high. 
Her glorious name to the breezes fling, 
'Til echoes rend the skies. 
For noble deeds, for honor bright, 
For truth's unbroken sway. 
For victories won in virtue's fight,  
We herald her fame today.

Here's to our school with the sons so brave
Rah! Rah! Rah! Rah! Terrebonne High
Here's to our "Profs" and our teachers grave
Rah! Rah! Rah! Rah! Terrebonne!
Here's to our flag of the crimson and gold
O! May it always honor hold
Then here's to our school our joy and pride, 
Shout! Terrebonne High!

Hurrah for the Terrebonne High School sing
Be loud her praises told
Long may her flag in splendor wave 
The crimson and the gold
For her we'll sing, for her we'll stand
Her name we all adore
The High School girls join heart and hand 
To cherish her evermore.

Fight Song

When the fight song is sung, the ellipse on line 7 is replace with the mascot of the opposing team. Also, football on line 4 can be replaced with the appropriate sport.

Oh, when the Terrebonne Tigers fall in line,
We're gonna win that game another time.
For THS I yell, I yell, I yell,
And for the football team I yell, I yell, I yell.
We're gonna fight, fight, fight, for every yard,
We're gonna hit that line and hit it hard,
We're gonna roll those . . . on the side, on the side,
Terrebonne High

Rivals

H.L. Bourgeois High School, These guys share a stadium throughout the season. And with that, they share pure, 100 percent hatred toward one another. Houma supremacy is always on the line when these teams play. And like a coach once said, "If Terrebonne loses every other game, but beats H.L. Bourgeois, and vice versa, then they've had a great season."

South Terrebonne High School, Like South Lafourche and Thibodaux, this one has that little brother/big brother feel to it. The Gators don't like the "big brother," Terrebonne. The Tigers want to stomp on their rivals and keep the supposed "little man" down. They don't get a whole lot better than this one.

Notable alumni

• Richie Cunningham, NFL placekicker.
• Gordon Dove, Houma businessman and state representative
• Hunt Downer, former Speaker of the Louisiana House of Representatives; first secretary of the Louisiana Veterans Affairs Department
• Michael Fési, Houma businessman

External links

• Terrebonne High School's Official Website
• Official History of Terrebonne High School
• Terrebonne High School Centennial