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Seminole High School (Pinellas County, Florida)

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Coordinates: 27°50′56″N 82°49′09″W / 27.8488°N 82.81921°W / 27.8488; -82.81921
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For other schools with the same name, see Seminole High School and Seminole High School (disambiguation).
Seminole High School
Location
Map
Seminole
,
Florida

United States
Coordinates27°50′56″N 82°49′09″W / 27.8488°N 82.81921°W / 27.8488; -82.81921
Information
TypePublic
MottoLive by the highest you know...and the others will follow.
Established1962
PrincipalFormer: Walter Weller (2007–2013) New: Thomas Brittain (2014-...)
Grades9–12
Enrollment2,200
CampusSuburban
Color(s)Orange, Green, and White
     
MascotWally the Warhawk
NicknameWarhawks
YearbookWarrior
WebsiteSeminole High School

Seminole High School is a public coeducational high school located in Seminole, Florida. It is governed by the Pinellas County School District. The school's mascot is "Wally the Warhawk". The student population is approximately 2,200.

History

Prior to the opening of the school in the late summer of 1962, students in what is now known as the Seminole area attended Largo High School or Dixie Hollins High School. With rapid growth in Seminole in the late 1950s and early 1960s, it became necessary for the newly suburban area to have its own high school. The original school consisted of what is now the main building where the administration offices are located and the front cafeteria. Seminole was the first high school in Pinellas County to be air-conditioned. The current "Warhawk" stadium was built in 1967 after a lengthy fundraising drive (Seminole Pow Wow). The auditorium, gymnasium and band facilities were built in later years. The school underwent a significant expansion in 1977 and an extensive remodeling in 1996. In the fall of 1973, the school utilized double sessions until the opening of Osceola High School in 1981.

During the 1997–98 school year, Seminole became one of the first high schools in the Bay Area to institute block scheduling. However, the school returned to a seven period schedule at the start of the 2009–10 school year. The school is well regarded for its high academic and musical standards, and many families choose to purchase homes in the Seminole area because of Seminole High School's fine local reputation. Nearly 91% of the school's graduates choose to attend a college or university.

Mr. Richard Misenti was named outstanding high school principal of the year by the Florida Association of School Administrators and the Florida Department of Education, He also took top honors in the district and the region for outstanding leadership in 2006.[1] After being employed by Pinellas County schools since 1976,[2] on June 23, 2007 he announced his retirement in a phone call to all of the parents, students and staff.[3] However, he instead became principal of Guilford High School, a public school in Guilford, Connecticut.[4] Walter Weller, one of Misenti's assistant principals, assumed the position.[5]

Athletics

Seminole High School hosts a variety of athletic programs. These include baseball (boys), basketball, cheerleading, cross country, flag football (girls), football, golf, soccer, softball (girls), spring football, swimming, diving, tennis, track, volleyball (girls), and wrestling.[6]

Soccer

During 2003 season, the Seminole soccer team won the state championship.[7] The Boys soccer team at Seminole has a long tradition of excellence. Pinellas County started soccer in the 1980–81 school year. The Seminole boys were District Champions in their first year as a high school sport. The 81–82 team took that success to the top level and won the school's first ever Florida State Championship. These teams laid the foundation for the program at Seminole. That successful tradition continues today. Current coach Rick Masi was part of the Seminole Strikers Soccer Club that provided many of the players in the early years. In summer of 1985, as coach of U-15 Seminole Striker team, his team traveled to Mexico City and the team placed first in the international tournament. This marked the first time that a team from the United States won this prestigious international tournament. Prior to this tournament his efforts have resulted in 4 club state championships in the U-12, U-16 and U-19 age groups. Three years later he coached his U-14 team to the State Championship. Coach Masi has been at Seminole since 1993 and has been an instrumental part of soccer in the Seminole community for 35 years. During his rein the team won a state championship in 2003, and were runners-up in 2004. The Seminole Boy's currently hold a state record with 11 consecutive regional play off appearances. In 2010, both Boys and Girls soccer teams became state runners-up. Both teams lost to Melbourne High School in the final. The boys lost 4–1, allowing 4 goals in the second half. The following year the boys soccer team again made it to the state finals held at the University Of South Florida, however they lost to Fleming Island high school 2-1 in double overtime.[8] The girls lost by a margin of only 2–1 (giving up the final goal in overtime).[9]

Golf

The SHS golf team is a consistent contender for the district title year after year, including 2007 and 2008. The team became state champions in 1976. They continue to excel each year in a sport most people don't keep up with. Currently the golf team is coached by Coach Tipton. After school the team practices 9 holes at Lake Seminole Country Club. Contrary to popular belief, LPGA pro Brittany Lincicome did not attend Seminole High School because she was home-schooled.

Cross country

The SHS boys cross country team was second in the state in 2000, 2005 and in 2006. They placed sixth in 2007. In 2011 they placed fourth in the state. The team has been coached by Bruce Calhoun for over twenty-nine years, Coach Calhoun announced he will retire after the 2012 spring track season.

Baseball

The Seminole Warhawk baseball team won both the state and national title in 2001.The 2004 team made it to the state final four. The 2007–2008 team went 22–0 in the regular season. On April 10, 2009, they lost Nathan Richardson, a freshman pitcher at the time, to a fatal car accident.[10] The Seminole Warhawk Baseball program has produced several Major League players such as Casey Kotchman, Greg Jones, Clayton Andrews, and Bobby Wilson.

Basketball

  • The basketball team went 13–12 in 2006–2007 season.
  • 1967–68 Basketball Team won the Pinellas County Conference Championship.

The Seminole Basketball team won their third district title in 2014 against Eastlake High School.

Football

Sam Roper has been head coach since 1985. Fred Robinson was Seminole's first head coach, from 1962 until 1982. He led the program to three district titles in the 1970s. Ron Clayback coached two losing seasons from 1982 until 1984. Coach Roper is the longest serving head coach.

From 1986 to 1988, Gene Chizik served on Coach Roper's coaching staff. He was appointed head coach at Auburn University on December 18, 2008.

NFL

During the 2004 NFL season, Ryan Fowler became the third player from Seminole High to play in the NFL. Currently Fowler and D'Qwell Jackson became the fourth. D'Qwell Jackson is currently an accomplished starting Middle Linebacker for the Cleveland Browns. Riley Cooper of the Philadelphia Eagles also played football for Seminole High School his freshman year before he transferred. In the 1980s, brothers Jim Fitzpatrick (1982 Baltimore Colts) and Tony Fitzpatrick (1986 Houston Oilers) were the first two Seminole Warhawk Alums to play in the NFL. Both players played for Fred Robinson.

Swimming

Scott Tucker graduated in 1993 and is a former international freestyle swimmer from the United States, who participated in two consecutive Summer Olympics for his native country, starting in 1996. He won a gold (1996) and a silver medal (2000) with the US relay teams in the men's 4 × 100 m freestyle. Seminole High School's swim team took 1st place in their Districts, November 1, 2008. The team is led by Danielle Spurgeon, who took over for Tom Haight in 2007. Haight led the program since 1984 and earned top honors each year. Between years 2007–2010 the boys team won 4 district titles and 3 regional titles. In 2010 Hannah Roper, the daughter of football coach Sam Roper, won the state title in the 100 breast stroke as a sophomore. the boys team is now coached by Brent Sunnucks, a former Division I swimmer for Florida Atlantic University[11] and the girls team is coached by Katrina Cooke, they took over for Danielle Spurgeon in 2011. In 2011 Zac Metka, a senior, placed 2nd in the state in the 100 breast stroke and 3rd in the state in the 200 IM. In 2013 and 2014, Stefan Spiric took third in the 50 and 100 freestyle.

Wrestling

The Seminole High School wrestling team won two state championships in the 1970s. They also won back to back district championships in the 80s. In 1994, they won their next district championship. The team is currently coached by Matthew Dunton and Ed Weingart.

Flag Football

Arren Swift is currently serves as head coach. The team won its first ever district title in 2012 repeated the feat in 2013. Prior to they were district runner-up four times (2006, 2005, 2004, 2003).

Publications

Yearbook

The Warrior, as of 2008, consists of 440 pages each printed in four color. In 2003, it was the first yearbook in the district to print four color pages cover to cover. At the time it was under the advisement of Carol Parzik, who retired in 2006. The publication is now under the advisement of Candace Gilbert. The Warrior is published by Balfour Publishing. In 2008, it was the first year with a cover produced from both embossed leather and 4-color lithograph. The run of 1450 copies cost approximately $90,000. The Warrior is often confused with neighboring Osceola High School, but it was the name of the yearbook long before the name of a school.

Newspaper

The Hawk Talk has won many national awards over the years and has been ranked as one of the top student newspapers in the country. Carol Parzik was the longtime advisor for the paper from 1981 to 2006. The newspaper was advised by Angel Lee from 2007 to 2009. The newspaper staff is currently being advised by Candace Gilbert.

Music department

Orchestra

In 2005 The Seminole Middle School Orchestra and Seminole High School Orchestra performed at the All American Music Festival and got a high scoring mark of 217.[12] In 2006 The Seminole High School Orchestra even played at Carnegie Hall.[13] The Orchestra also played for the governor, and recently played at the invitation-only event for Disney Honors.[14]

Vocal

Seminole High School's chorus is an award-winning program under the direction of Faith Vanbuskirkfeldt. SHS has three auditioned choirs (Warhawk Singers, Hawkapella & Seminole Singers) and two non-auditioned choruses ( Men's & Women's Choir). The choruses perform frequently, focusing on classical choral music as well as contemporary pop a cappella. Hawkapella is their a cappella group. Alumnus Rachel Potter is currently performing on Broadway in the role of Evita. She also performed as Wednesday Addams in, "The Addams Family, A New Musical Comedy."[15]

Marching band

In 2004, the Seminole Warhawk Marching Band were the first marching band in Florida to ever receive the Sulder Shield Award. This award is given to high school marching bands with outstanding achievement and excellence at the international level.[16] They have also been honored by Florida State Representatives.[17] Also, On January 1, 2005 the marching band along with the color guard played in the world-famous Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California.[18][19][20] In 2006 The Seminole Warhawk Marching Band won the division for the largest bands and won the overall highest score in the 25-school finals in the Florida Marching Band Coalition's Florida State Band Championship.[21] The Seminole Warhawk Marching Band did attend the 2010 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. More recently, Marching band won back-to-back state championships in the class 4A in 2011 and 2012. The band is scheduled to attend the 2013 Rose Bowl Parade, for the second time in school history.

Wind ensemble

The members of Seminole High School Wind Ensemble have performed with the Florida All State bands and orchestras, BOA Honor Band and Orchestra and competed in the 2007 Boston Festival of Gold at Boston Symphony Hall[21]

Symphonic band

The symphonic band is also a high-achieving band, receiving consistent superiors at District Festival.

Drama and Musical Theatre Department

Troupe 3039 of Seminole High school is known for having one of the largest drama programs in the county, and entire state of Florida with more than 100 actively involved students. The club is presently led by director Lillian Palmer. Recent productions include Once Upon a Mattress, Cinderella (musical), The Boy Friend (musical), Grease (musical), Annie Get Your Gun (musical), High School Musical on Stage!, and Roger and Hammerstien's Cinderella.

Seminole High School Alumni, Kelly and Sabrina Aldridge have been in a national commercial for Acuvue contact lens, starred in MTV's 8th & Ocean, and both co-starred in the 2006 hit Deck The Halls with Danny DeVito and Matthew Broderick. Kelly and Sabrina reside in Los Angeles.

Guitar

A guitar course, a new program, is taught by chorus teacher Faith Vanbuskirkfeldt.

Jazz band

Notable alumni

Principals

  • Mr. Stanley Moore (1962–1965)
  • Dr. Scott Rose (1965–1970); Pinellas County Schools Superintendent (1981–1991)
  • Mr. Don Van Fleet (1970–1971)
  • Mr. Fred Rozelle (1971–1979)
  • Mr. Bob Kalach (1979–1980)
  • Mr. Bruce McMillan (1980–1984)
  • Mr. Curt Geer (1984–1992)
  • Mr. Richard D. Duncan (1992–2001)
  • Mr. Richard Misenti (2001–2007); current principal of Guilford High School in Guilford, Connecticut.
  • Mr. Walter Weller (2007–2013)
  • Dr. Thomas Brittain (2013– present)

References

  1. ^ Lykins, Lorrie. "Seminole High principal earns regional honor", St. Petersburg Times, 2006-11-10. Retrieved on 2007-08-01.
  2. ^ Byrne, Maureen. "New principal brings change to Seminole", St. Petersburg Times, 2001-08-22. Retrieved on 2007-08-01.
  3. ^ Lindberg, Anne. "Seminole principal calls it a career", St. Petersburg Times, 2007-07-20. Retrieved on 2007–7-30.
  4. ^ King, Rachael. "Guilford school has 'luckiest principal in the state'", New Haven Register, 2007-09-17. Retrieved on 2007-09-19.
    Archive url:Guilford school has 'luckiest principal in the state' Archive date:2007–9-17; not found 2014-6-29.
  5. ^ Lindberg, Anne. "High school, middle school will have new principals", St. Petersburg Times, 2007-08-02. Retrieved on 2007-08-05.
  6. ^ Seminole.qxp
  7. ^ Lee, Laura. "Area soccer teams ready to dominate final four", St. Petersburg Times, 2004-02-25. Retrieved on 2007-08-01.
  8. ^ Burns, Bryan "5A State boys soccer: Melbourne Dashes Seminole's Title Dreams in Second Half" St. Petersburg Times, February 10, 2010. Retrieved on May 17, 2010.
  9. ^ Burns, Bryan. "Class 5a state girls soccer: Seminole scraps but falls short in overtime to nationally ranked Melbourne" St. Petersburg Times, February 13, 2010. Retrieved on May 17, 2010.
  10. ^ Shelton, Shannon. "Kotchman shaping up as a first-rate catch; senior from Seminole is rated the No. 1 high school baseball player in the nation. The Warkawk's are going to lose in the first round in districts in the 2008–2009 season.", The Orlando Sentinel, 2001-04-24. Retrieved on 2007-08-30. It is now a very pensive moment due to a deceased player from last week.
  11. ^ "fausports.com Brent Sunnucks Bio – Florida Atlantic Official Athletic Site Florida Atlantic Official Athletic Site – Swimming & Diving". fausports.com. Retrieved 8 May 2016.
  12. ^ All American Music Festival – Orlando Archived June 27, 2006, at the Wayback Machine
  13. ^ Ferguson, Kathy. "SHS orchestra prepares for big time", Seminole Beacon, 2006-12-06. Retrieved on 2007-05-29.
  14. ^ Disney Youth Groups. Disneyyouthgroups.disney.go.com. Retrieved on 2011-11-15.
  15. ^ The Addams Family A New Musical Comedy | Official Broadway Site | Meet the Family | Cast and Creative Team. Theaddamsfamilymusical.com. Retrieved on 2011-11-15.
  16. ^ Russell Robinson In Memoriam – Professor Reid Poole: 1919–2006. Encore – University of Florida School of Music Newsletter. Fall 2005
  17. ^ HR 9001A. A resolution honoring the Seminole High School Warhawk 3 Marching Band. Florida House of Representatives. 2004. myfloridahouse.gov
  18. ^ EncoreSummer2004. (PDF) . Retrieved on 2011-11-15.
  19. ^ Ferguson, Kathy. "Students step into national limelight", Seminole Beacon, 2005-01-11. Retrieved on 2007-08-26.
  20. ^ DCP Forums > Tournament of Roses Parade. Drumcorpsplanet.com (2005-01-01). Retrieved on 2011-11-15.
  21. ^ a b McClure, Bob. "Seminole Marching Band adds state crown to list", Seminole Beacon, 2006-12-20. Retrieved on 2007-08-26.
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