Blue Mountain High School
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Blue Mountain High School is located at 1076 W Market St, Schuylkill Haven, Pennsylvania. It was built in 1969 and renovated from 2002 to 2005. It is part of the Blue Mountain School District, which grew out of necessity from Orwigsburg School. An original Wanamaker Eagle was donated to the school when the department store it had decorated for many years went out of business. The bronze Eagle stands in front of the school.
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[edit] Academics
BMHS, like the rest of the school district, is known primarily for the academic achievements of its 1010 students in grades 9 through 12. In 2006 Blue Mountain students had an average SAT score of 1070; average 527 in the verbal section and 543 in the math.
[edit] Athletics Department
Blue Mountain, lead by Co-Athletic Directors Harry Myers and Ruth Weidman, offers a variety of District XI sports. In most sports, it is a AAA school, although swimming and soccer are AA.
[edit] Cross Country
The Cross Country team started in 1968 as a club under the direction of Mr. Ralph Jeager, who would coach until 1987. Mr. Greg Yutko and Mrs. Joan Frey coached for several years each. In 1999, Mr. Tomas Letarte became head coach, assisted by Mr. Jared Gerace. From 1971 to 1984, the team met phenomenal success, winning League titles each year and District titles in twelve of the fourteen years.
[edit] Football
The Blue Mountain Football team was started in 1969 when the school was completed. The team's main rivals are Schuylkill Haven High School and Pottsville Area High School. At the end of the 2006 football season, the team was Eastern Conference Silver Medalist. In 2007, the team won the District XI game against Northwestern Lehigh High School and advanced to the state playoffs.
[edit] Golf
The Blue Mountain golf team won the Schuykill League nine straight years, from 1999 through 2007. The coach is Larry Borden, who is the golf pro at Schuylkill County Country Club.
[edit] Boy's Tennis
The Blue Mountain Tennis team paricipates in the District XI singles and doubles tournaments, as well as District XI team tournaments. However, because of the schools location in the state, they play against many teams in the Berks League, which is part of District III.
[edit] Girl's Softball
The Blue Mountain Varsity softball team won the Schuylkill League Championship in 2006, and advanced to the semi-finals in districts last year. They finished with a winning record. Head coach was Terry Ernst, assisted by Steph Allen and Gary Adams.
[edit] Boy's and Girl's Swim Team
The Blue Mountain Girl's Varsity Swim Team won the District XI AA Title in 2007 for the second year in a row. The Girl's team also won the Schuylkill League Championships in 2007. The Boy's Varsity Swim Team finished Districts by placing 5th. Both teams are coached by Mr. Tim Bayliff.
[edit] Boy's Basketball
The Blue Mt. Boys Basketball team won the District XI Championship in 1996 and the Schuylkill League Championship in 2007 and played in the State Playoffs 3 straight years.
[edit] Renovations
A series of renovations is planned for Blue Mountain High School. In the year 2009, a new football stadium entrance is scheduled to be built at an estimated cost of approximately two million dollars ($2,000,000) US. Various other renovations are also planned.
[edit] Clubs
Blue Mountain High School offers a variety of clubs and extracurricular activities that students are encouraged to join.
[edit] Improv Club
The Improv club is a fairly new club that contains comedy that is unique, called improvisational comedy. The style of comedy is very similar to the popular TV show "Whose Line Is It Anyway?". Friday Night Live(FNL) is an event that uses a mix of improv and pre-written sketches, which are performed in front of a live audience.
[edit] Newspaper
The BMHS newspaper is called the Aerie and carries information on school and world events.
[edit] Band
The band program at BMHS offers budding and experienced musicians a variety of ensemble choices.
[edit] Marching Band
The Marching Band performs at football games and competes in various events throughout the season. The Marching Band has an auxiliary unit called the Guard, which is a flag core.
[edit] Symphonic Band
The Symphonic Band performs at spring concerts, adjudications, and school and community events throughout the spring semester. This ensemble studies and plays pieces spanning five centuries of musical genres.
[edit] Jazz Band
The Jazz Ensemble performs concerts each year. This ensemble features extra instrumentation in the rhythm section and allows selected band members to experience the jazz genre of music.
[edit] Indoor Drumline
In December of each year, the Indoor Drumline begins its intensive rehearsals for its competition season, during which it performs in weekly competitions beginning in March. The ensemble consists of snare drums, a series of pitched bass drums, quints, cymbals, and various pit instruments, including marimba, xylophone, vibraphone, timpani and other auxiliary instruments.
[edit] Notable Attendees
- John E. Jones III Federal judge
