Henry B. Plant High School
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| Henry B. Plant High School | |
| Home of the Panthers | |
| Established | 1926 |
| School type | Public |
| Principal | Robert Nelson |
| Location | Tampa, Florida |
| Enrollment | ~2000 |
| Colors | Black and Gold |
| Homepage | Official website |
| Students | Coeducational |
| Grades | 9-12 |
| Accreditation | Florida State Department of Education |
| District | Hillsborough County School District |
| Mascot | Florida Panther |
| Religion | Secular |
Henry B. Plant High School was opened in 1926 on South Himes Avenue in Tampa, Florida. The school is named in honor of railroad and hotel magnate Henry B. Plant. The school mascot is the Panther. A statue of the Panther is often stolen or vandalized by both the senior class and the administration as a prank or Spirit Week joke. The school motto is "Strength Through Unity." Plant High School currently has enrolled more than 2,000 students. The school established an Air Force Junior ROTC program in the 2005-2006 school year. The leaders of the AFJROTC program for Plant High School are Maj. Geoffrey Patterson and Sgt. Fortino Garcia. The estimated number of students enrolled in H B Plant High School AFJROTC is approximately 90.
Plant High School's biggest rivals are Hillsborough, Robinson, Jefferson, and Armwood
The athletic stadium is named Dad's Stadium, with the water tower in behind the stadium now reading, "Plant Panthers, Home Of State Champions" and hosts football, soccer and lacrosse games, track and field meets, and pep rallies. The flag team is known as the Pantherettes and the dance team is known as the Danceros.
The school has a notable academic reputation, and is consistently ranked among the 100 Best High Schools in America (as designated by Newsweek). Plant High also offers free Advanced Placement Program testing early as sophomore year.
Competition for school choice (a new program in Florida that allows students to apply to attend school outside of their district) is fierce, as Plant is overcrowded and thus not an available choice to students living outside the school district's boundaries. There is a zero-tolerance policy towards the common practice of claiming a relative or friend's in-district address to attend the school.
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[edit] Plant High School Vision Statement
Plant High School will provide the optimal environment to produce life-long learners who are "temperate, courageous, and just" world citizens.
[edit] Plant High School Mission Statement
H. B. Plant High School's mission is to recognize and empower the multifaceted characteristics and individuality of the students who enter our school. We strive to incorporate the diversity of our students and of our community into the educational process. We offer a curriculum which addresses the needs and goals of our student body and offers challenges and preparation for any post-high school endeavor. Our students will acquire attributes enabling them to:
- Be temperate, courageous and "just" world citizens
- Acquire an intrinsic love of learning
- Be prepared to contribute to the welfare and betterment of all mankind
- Make healthy and considered life decisions leading to personal achievement and fulfillment
[edit] Notable Alumni and Staff
- Leo Gallagher, comedian.
- Wade Boggs, World Series-winning third baseman and a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame
- Mickie James, Professional Wrestler
- Mike Williams, former USC and current NFL wide receiver
- Colin Dunne, profesional irish dancer
- Harry Mott, the current Chair of the Digital Media Department at Otis College of Art and Design.
- Axel Noack, former German race walker.
- John Battle, former professional basketball player
- Danny Mills, a small-scale American actor
- John Ramos, former New York Yankee catcher
[edit] Plant High School Band, Chorus & Drama
Plant High School boasts the 2006-2007 Marching Panther Band, performing their show "Channel One Suite", originally performed by the Buddy Rich Big Band, and the DCI drum corps Blue Devils. The show features a Trumpet solo performed by band captain J.J. Marion.The Band Director of the Marching Panthers is Mr. John Sinibaldi. The Plant High Marching Panthers recently earned a Superior rating at the Chamberlain Invitational competition, and placed 5th overall out of 20 bands.
Plant High School's chorus has more than 200 members and is led by director Bruce Yost. The chorus puts on several performances each year, including several Madrigal Dinner performances and an annual show famed among students, called "Rick's Cafe". The show is a showcase of performances from both famous and obscure musicals, featuring acting, singing and dancing. Past shows have featured numbers from RENT, Grease, Chicago, Gypsy: A Musical Fable, Little Shop of Horrors, and Wicked.This year's main events include Les Miserables, Annie, and Oklahoma.
Members of the drama program put on plays and musicals every year that produce sell out crowds. Recent shows include Psycho Night at the Paradise Lounge,Alice In Wonderland, Old Saybrook, The Curious Savage, Grease, A Midsummer Nights Dream, The Odd Couple:Female Version, Bathroom Humor, and the award winning Mystery of Twicknam Vicarage. The drama department is currently led by Teryle Traver. The Drama Club is heavily involved in community service. It participates each year in Winter Wonderland, raising money for Broadway Cares, and many other various fund raisers. Each year closes with an award banquet entitled "The Henry's", in which new members are inducted into the Thespian Troupe, awards are distributed, board members are announced, and Senior students are given a final goodbye.
[edit] Plant High School Service Clubs
Plant High School enjoys a fine tradition of community service, as shown by the seven service clubs (boys and girls) on campus. Students who are interested in joining are assigned to a random club and are "tapped" during homeroom. These clubs perform a variety of services to the community and loyalty to one's club is strong.
Boys Service Clubs:
- Key
- Sertoma
- Delphi
Girls Service Clubs:
- Kiwanettes
- La Sertoa
- Zeta
- Anchor
[edit] Plant High School Varsity Football Team
With their "One Heartbeat" slogan and their "Plant, Plant, Plant" chant, the 2006 Plant Panthers completed their undefeated season, winning their first Florida State Football Championship on December 9, 2006, by defeating defending 2005 champions, Ponte Vedra Beach Nease, 25-21. A touchdown pass from future Miami Hurricane, Robert Marve to Derek Winter with 17 seconds left to play in the fourth quarter put the Panthers ahead for the win. Also in the game, Marve, broke the record for completions, attempts, and TDs (48) in a season, A record previously held by former Nease High School QB, Tim Tebow. The Week before, Plant High School made history when the team won their first state semi-final game against Booker T. Washington; a team who had previously made the semi-final game for four years in a row. Plant High School's team had previously made it to the semi-final game in 1973, 1976, and 1978 but had gotten no further. In 2003, the Panthers were 1-9. After Coach Darlee Nelson left, Coach Robert Weiner came in and took charge of the team, Leading them to a 3-7 season in 2004, 9-3 in 2005, and finally in 2006, a 15-0 state championship. The next years, the Plant High School Football team will have a well deserved target on their backs, as they have proven themsevves as a remewed powerhouse in the state of Florida. 
[edit] Plant High School Varsity Sailing Team
The Plant High School Flying Panther Sailing Team is another premier sport at H.B. Plant High School. The sailing team practices at Davis Island Yacht Club and races all over the continental U.S. The H.B.P.F.P.S.T. won their first regatta of the 2006 year. The team attended the ISSA national championship in Grosse Pointe, Michigan in spring of 2006, finishing 11th. The team also finished 13th at the 2005 ISSA national championship in Port Angeles, Washington. The National Championship is an invitational regatta that only the top three teams from the South Atlantic District are able to attend.
