Memorial High School (Hedwig Village, Texas)

Memorial High School Memorial High School, home of the Mustangs Memorial High School, home of the Mustangs
Address	935 Echo Lane, Hedwig Village (Houston address), Texas 77024 Satellite image
Established	1962
Community	Suburban
Type	Public
Students	2,225 students -- boys -- girls
Ethnic Distribution Source	American Indian/Alaskan Native 0.1% Asian/Pacific Islander 11.7% Hispanic/Latino 14.1% African American 1.5% White 72.6%
Grades	9 to 12
Principal	Steve Shorter
Nickname	MHS, Memorial
Mascot	The Mustangs
Colors	Red and white
Publications	The Anvil (newspaper)
Yearbook	The Reata
Website	MHSweb

Memorial High School (MHS) is a secondary school located at 935 Echo Lane in Hedwig Village, Texas.

Memorial opened in 1962 and serves students in all of the Memorial Villages (including Bunker Hill Village, Hedwig Village, Hilshire Village, Hunters Creek Village, Piney Point Village, and Spring Valley). While the school has a Houston address, it is located in the city of Hedwig Village and it only draws from a small portion of Houston (in the Memorial and Spring Branch neighborhoods). Memorial is part of the Spring Branch Independent School District and serves grades 9 through 12.

Memorial was ranked 102nd in Newsweek's 2005-2006 list of top high schools in the United States. It was also awarded five stars and ranked in the top ten high schools in Texas by Texas Monthly magazine in 2002.

Academics

The attendants of MHS have performed well on national placement and aptitude testing. The following table shows testing results for the 2003-2004 school year:

SAT scores (2003-2004)	Verbal (average)	Math (average)
Memorial High School	572	592
Texas high schools	493	499
National high schools	508	518

ACT scores (2003-2004)	Composite score (average)
Memorial High School	24.7
Texas high schools	20.1
National high schools	20.8

AP scores (May 2004)	Total tests	Tests per graduating seniors	Scored 5	Scored 4	Scored 3	Pass rate
	1218	~2.5	247	358	327	77%
AP Recognition	Scholars	...with Honors	...with Distinction	AP National Scholars
	97	32	59	15

Athletics

Memorial High School is a member of Region 18-5A of the University Interscholastic League.

Sport	Boys	Girls
Baseball	X	-
Basketball	X	X
Cross-Country	X	X
Football	X	-
Golf	X	X
Lacrosse	X	X
Soccer	X	X
Softball	-	X
Swimming & Diving	X	X
Tennis	X	X
Track & Field	X	X
Volleyball	-	X

In 04-05 the Memorial Mustang football team went all the way to the Regional Playoff before losing in a triple overtime game against Clear Lake. The Season was marked by memories of "The Bull" offense and the slogan "Make plays, not excuses". This is considered one of the best groups of athletes to ever come through Memorial High School.

Extracurricular programs

Memorial Orchestra

The Memorial Orchestra is comprised of more than one hundred and fifty students in grades nine through twelve. For several decades, the Memorial Orchestra has won consistent First Division ratings in UIL contest, both in string and full orchestra competition. They have been named the outstanding Orchestra at Corpus Christi's Buccaneer Festival as well as South Coast Music Festival. Recently, the orchestra has also performed concerts at the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago, Walt Disney World's Epcot Center, Chicago's Orchestra Hall and most recently, New York's Carnegie Hall. This year, the orchestra was invited to return to New York City to present two concerts at Carnegie Hall.

Mustang Band

The Mustang Band consists of 100 student musicians involved in marching, concert bands, Winter/Color Guard, and jazz ensemble. The band competes in UIL and TMEA auditions and competitions through out the year. The Mustang Band has had the opportunity to perform for high-profile individuals, such as Governor George W. Bush and Cy-Young winning pitcher Roger Clemens. The band has recent success in the Texas Color Guard Circuit, Bands of America, and UIL Marching and Concert and Sight Reading Contests.

MHS Theatre

The Theatre Department produces a five show season featuring at least one departmental musical each year. The program also competes in UIL One-Act Play competition where the students have received both acting and technical awards in the past few years. MHS Theatre students have received state theatre scholarships and advanced to international competitions with the International Thespian Society. Students have also received Tommy Tune Nominations for their ensemble and individual work.

MHS Debate

The Memorial High School Debate team hosts the only Tournament of Champions' bid tournament in the Houston area. Under the direction of the current coach, Cecil Trent, the team continues its legacy as a strong regional and national debate program in Lincoln-Douglas Debate and Policy Debate.

MHS Markettes

The award-winning Markettes perform dances during halftime in football season with the Memorial High School Band. When football season is over, the Markettes practice for competitions. The last performance of the year is usually the Markette Spring Show. The Markettes are led by director April Graham.

Notable alumni

• Michael Dell founder of Dell Computers
• Cory Morrow, Singer/Songwriter
• John Norris, MTV News correspondent
• Dominique Sachse, anchor for KPRC
• Jim Sheeler, Pulitzer Prize winner
• Randy Smith, professional baseball player
• Adam Wexler, Sports Radio 610 KILT (AM)
• Steven Deatherage, Founder of Deatherage Industries, ( Billion Dollar Corporation that manufacturers synthetic diamonds)
• Koby Clemens, son of MLB pitcher Roger Clemens and Houston Astros draftee.

Feeder pattern

• Elementary schools that feed into Memorial High School include Bunker Hill, Frostwood, Housman, Hunters Creek, Memorial Drive, Rummel Creek, Spring Branch, and Valley Oaks
• Middle schools that feed into Memorial High School include H.M. Landrum, Memorial Middle School, and Spring Branch.

External links

• Memorial High School
• Memorial High School Theatre
• Memorial High School Mustang Band
• MHS Orchestra
• Memorial High School alumni
• Senior Men's Website