North Mecklenburg High School
 | This article about school may require cleanup. (April 2010) |  |
| North Mecklenburg High School | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
 | |
| , United States | |
| Information | |
| Type | Public |
| Established | 1951 |
| Principal | Sonya McInnis |
| Color(s) | Blue, Red, White |
| Athletics | Baseball, basketball, cheerleading, colorguard, cross country, diving, football, golf, lacrosse, marching band, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, track, volleyball, wrestling |
| Athletics conference | MecKa Conference (4-A) |
| Team name | Vikings |
| Website | schools |
North Mecklenburg High School is a high school in Huntersville, in the U.S. state of North Carolina. Founded in 1951, it was integrated in the 1960s. With over 3000 students, it had the largest student body in North Carolina during the 2005–2006 school year. The principal is Sonya McInnis.
The school mascot is the Viking, and the school colors are royal blue, red, and white.
History
 | This section needs additional citations for verification. (May 2017) |
North Mecklenburg High School first opened its doors to students on September 4, 1951.[1] Students came from five local schools in Davidson, Cornelius, Huntersville, Long Creek, and Derita, forming a student body of just 500, with a senior class of 126, and a faculty of only 19. Marion Bird became the first principal, the Rebel was adopted as the mascot, and red and black were chosen as the school colors. The mascot was often seen flying a confederate flag during the period when the school was segregated.
The original school colors were changed to blue and white when the school was integrated in the 1960s, and then to royal blue, red, and white in 1974. At the same time the student chose to rename the team and mascot to Vikings.
The official school song is to the tune of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's Hark The Sound, the fight song is to the tune of Ohio State's "Across the Field", and the dance is named "The Boogaloo". These are performed at pep rallies and sporting events.[citation needed]
Curriculum
North Mecklenburg High School offers a comprehensive program including International Baccalaureate, which is the most rigorous program at North Meck, Advanced Placement, Academically Gifted, and advanced classes, fine arts programs, Air Force JROTC, and a variety of workforce development courses. The school has one of two auto tech courses in North Carolina. Eighty-six percent of graduates attend four-year colleges, universities, or junior colleges.
Awards
In 2006, it was placed 93rd on Newsweek Magazine's Top 1200 Schools list.
Extracurricular activities
Sports
North Mecklenburg is a 4A school that competes in the MecKa Conference; the conference consists of Charlotte/Mecklenburg County Schools.[2]
Debate and Speech team
The Debate and Speech team, a member of the National Speech and Debate Association, is active in both North and South Carolina, as well as in the national circuit. The team hosts the annual "The Jimmy K Poole Viking Classic" each October.
Notable alumni
- Duggar Baucom, head coach of VMI Men's Basketball Team.[3]
- Larry Hefner, former All Conference Linebacker at Clemson University drafted in the 14th round by NFL's Green Bay Packers in 1972. Hefner played for the Packers through the 1976 season.
- DeMarco Johnson, former star of the Charlotte 49ers basketball team, Drafted 2nd round by NBA's New York Knicks in 1998
- Bishop Eddie L. Long, Senior Pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Lithonia, GA
- Jamie Skeen, basketball player, plays for Maccabi Ashdod B.C. in the Israeli Super League
- Andrea Stinson, Detroit Shock WNBA player
- Tony Wike, actor, radio personality and journalist.
References
- ^ "About Our School". Retrieved December 15, 2015.
- ^ "Mecka 4A Conference". Retrieved December 15, 2015.
- ^ "Duggar Baucom – VMIKeydets.com – The Official Site of Virginia Military Institute Athletics". VMIKeydets.com. April 12, 2005. Retrieved June 27, 2012.