Freedom High School (Pennsylvania)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Freedom High School

Principal	Roger Washburn
School type	Public
Location	Bethlehem, Pennsylvania USA
Enrollment	2,030
Campus	Suburban
School colors	Black and Gold
Website	http://www-fhs.beth.k12.pa.us/

Freedom High School is a public high school in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, in the Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania, in the United States. Freedom is one of two public high schools in the Bethlehem Area School District. It is located at 3149 Chester Avenue, Bethlehem Township.

The total student population is over 2,000 students. Its main rival is Bethlehem's other public high school, Liberty High School. Another rival is Bethlehem Catholic High School which is also in Bethlehem.

The mascot of Freedom High School is the Patriot. School colors are black and gold.

The principal is Roger Washburn, who is set to retire this year. The asst. principal for grades 9 and 11 is Jacob Llewellyn, and the asst. principal for grades 10 and 12 is Mark Caccavo. The main hall monitor/crossing guard is Pierre Morgans.

1 Academics
2 Athletics
3 The Freedom Patriot Band
4 Construction
5 Notable alumni
6 External links

[edit] Academics

Freedom's Scholastic Scrimmage team has turned in several first and second place finishes in the Lehigh Valley region. The team placed first in 1980 and 1989 and second in 1981 (losing to Emmaus High School) and 2005 (losing to Allentown Central Catholic High School).

[edit] Athletics

In boys athletics, Freedom is known for its historically successful football, volleyball and wrestling teams. The school has received considerable attention as the starting point for the career of Dwayne Johnson, famously known as "The Rock", who played high school football for Freedom.

In girls athletics, Freedom is best known for its historically successful girl's basketball, gymnastics, tennis and volleyball teams.

Freedom competes in the Lehigh Valley Conference in the District XI athletic division of the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association, one of the most competitive athletic divisions in the state.

[edit] The Freedom Patriot Band

Ronald H. Demkee was the original director of instrumental music at Freedom and conductor of the Patriot Band and Orchestra from 1967 until his retirement in 1997. The first year band had a membership of 90. In 1970, band members made their first major national appearance (3 years after the school opened) as they marched down the streets of Miami, Florida in the Orange Bowl parade, in front of a national television audience. Under the leadership of current band director Michael Moran, the Freedom Patriot Band has performed at the Outback Bowl in Tampa, Florida. The Band is currently preparing for its 2008 trip where it will participate in St. Patrick's Day festivities in Ireland.

[edit] Construction

Like many Lehigh Valley schools, Freedom is undergoing construction to accommodate aging infrastructure and a growing student population. The new main entrance was completed in June of 2006 and Freedom's athletic facilities opened in December. The additions boast new main offices, classrooms, a business wing, a refurbished pool, and a state-of-the-art gym. Construction is underway on expanding the school's two cafeterias.