Douglas S. Freeman High School

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Douglas S. Freeman High School is a high school located in the West End of Henrico County, Virginia. Specifically, it is located near the intersection of Three Chopt Road and Parham Road. It is named for Pulitzer Prize-winning Virginia author and historian Dr. Douglas Southall Freeman (1886-1953), who was long the editor of the Richmond News Leader. The current principal of Freeman is Edward H. Pruden, Ed.D.

The school, operated by Henrico County Public Schools, opened its doors in 1954, slightly more than one year after Dr. Freeman's death. The school colors are blue and gray, and the teams are named the "Rebels". The colors and team names were devised as a tribute to Dr. Freeman's extensive study of the American Civil War. The official publications of the school honor Freeman's various jobs during his lifetime. The Commentator (the newspaper) reflects Freeman's work on WRVA radio during World War II. The Educator (the literary magazine) reflects Freeman's job as a professor at the University of Richmond. The Historian (the yearbook) reflects Freeman's studies of various American history topics, including two that won him the Pulitzer Prize.

Since 1980, Freeman High School has had an intense rivalry with nearby Mills E. Godwin High School. The two schools meet during the regular seasons of all sports (which causes sellouts, intense crowding and taunts from both teams), and often play each other in district, regional and state final matches (especially in boys tennis). This rivalry has also been known to extend into debate, individual events, and quizbowl. Freeman is home to the 2005 Girls Varsity Volleyball State Champions. The Girls Cross Country team of 2006, currently placed third at the VHSL State Meet.

Contents 1 Specialty Center for Leadership, Government, and Global Economics 1.1 Required Courses 2 Virginia High School League State Championship Teams 3 Notable alumni 4 External links

[edit] Specialty Center for Leadership, Government, and Global Economics

Freeman High School is the host school for the Speciality Center for Leadership, Government, and Global Economics. The current center chairman is Mr. Rob Peck (the 2006 Henrico County Teacher of the Year). Other center teachers include: Mr. John Larkins, Mr. Mark Dozier, Mr. Mark Harvey, Mr. Steven Zanetti, Ms. Ryan Burgess, and Mr. Will Weaver (who teachers AP Government straight out of college).

Students at the Center...

• immerse themselves in an interdisciplinary program founded in the social sciences and language arts culminating in an advanced studies diploma
• explore conflicts between personal choice and community principles through literature, history, political science and economics
• compare and contrast human principles throughout world history and cultures
• observe and interact with leaders through partnerships, tailored programs and internships
• actively engage in community service
• develop formal communication skills necessary to excel in a technological society

[edit] Required Courses

• Foundations of Leadership I
• Contemporary World Affairs
• Leadership II: Psychology and Sociology
• AP US History
• Leadership Seminar: Ethics and Law
• AP Economics
• AP US Government
• Honors English 9,10
• Required Summer Internship

[edit] Virginia High School League State Championship Teams

Boys Tennis: 1982, 1985, 1989, 2001

Girls Tennis: 1983

Boys Cross Country: 1969

Girls Cross Country: 1999

Golf: 1964

Football: 1967 (shared title with two other schools, as no title game was played until the 1970s)

Boys Track: 1970

Softball: 1980

Girls Volleyball: 2005

Debate: 1970

2001-2002- Ninth Grade Boys Basketball was 16-0 [[1]]

[edit] Notable alumni

Tommy Siegel, (1943), best-selling novelist; author of A Stolen Tongue, The Dress Lodger and The Mammoth Cheese'. Rock guitarist of avante-garde heavy metal collective "Transiberian Orchestra." Capricorn.'

Barty Smith -- player for NFL's Green Bay Packers (1974-1981)

Josephine Abady -- Tony Award-nominated theatre producer and director

Sheri Holman, (1984), best-selling novelist; author of A Stolen Tongue, The Dress Lodger and The Mammoth Cheese

Jim Pankovits -- second baseman for Houston Astros (1984-1990); current manager of Salem Avalanche

Colin Ducharme, (1996)-- basketball player, University of Virginia and Longwood University

John Aboud -- writer and comedian, founder of Modern Humorist and commentator on VH1's Best Week Ever

Elliot Yamin, (Attended 1993, Class of '96) -- American Idol Season 5 (3rd Place).

[edit] External links

• Douglas S. Freeman High School
• DSF Alumni Association