Buchholz High School

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Buchholz High School (also B.H.S. or F. W. Buchholz High School) is a high school in Gainesville, Florida. B.H.S. is one of seven high schools in Alachua County. It is the largest of the public high schools in Gainesville. The B.H.S. mascot is the Bobcat. Buchholz is generally regarded as one of the best high schools in the country, as witnessed when Newsweek rated the school #109 out of the best 1300 high schools in the nation for 2008. [1] Their current principal is Vincent Perez.

In 2005, it had an enrollment of 2530 students, and 102 classroom teachers.

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[edit] Student Body

Buchholz contains two magnet programs, the Academy of Finance and the Academy of Entrepreneurship. As a result, the school contains a credit union known as the "Bobcat Branch," which is division of the Florida Credit Union, and operated by students in the Academy of Finance, and the "Spirit Spot," a retail outlet whose products are envisioned and marketed by the Academy of Entrepreneurship. The students hail from all over the city due to their county School Board's zoning laws, and represent the vast ethnic and religious diversity that's ever-present in Gainesville. A vast array of classes and activities are available to the student body from "Student Cabinet"(a student-run organization designed to involve students in the affairs of the school) to advanced placement courses. Buchholz is also known locally for it's school spirit in all facets of student activity within the school. Students are able to enroll from grades 9 through 12.

[edit] Clubs

The school's marching band, the "Golden Regiment," has received numerous awards and accolades. The group consistently receives superior ratings at marching events and has received straight superior ratings at its district marching festivals for the past 11 years. In November 2001, the Golden Regiment marched in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York and was the featured band performing live on NBC's "Today Show".

The Wind Symphony (the principal concert ensemble) performed at the College Band Directors National Association and National Band Association Southern Regional Conference in Atlanta, Georgia in February 2002. In December 2002, they were honored to perform at the Midwest Clinic, an International Band and Orchestra Conference in Chicago, Illinois. In 2006, the Wind Symphony was invited to the Grand National Adjudicators Invitational in Chattanooga, TN--The Wind Symphony was awarded Superior Scores from all adjudicators as well as the First Place "Honor Band" Award. The French Horns and the entire Woodwind Section were awarded "Outstanding Sections." Two students received "Outstanding Soloist" Awards. This was all accomplished under the direction of Paula Thornton and Vicki Nolan. The band is now under the direction of Alex Kaminsky. Under his direction in 2009, the Wind Symphony will travel to New York City and perform at Carnegie Hall for the New York Wind Band Festival.

Furthermore, Buchholz has clubs for every class division with the Seniors being the largest every year. Also Buchholz features its own chapter of Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT).

Buchholz has sent a Regional Scholar to compete at the prestigious Sunshine State Scholars state finals for three years running, from 2005 to 2007.

In addition, Buchholz features what is pound-for-pound the state's best Speech and Debate Team, fetching numerous local, regional, and national honors each year. This prestigious Speech and Debate Team has also accomplished a yet untouched feat in producing the school's first National Champion. In 2000, young student Jason Williams won the NCFL National Championship in Dramatic Interpretation, becoming the first student in Buchholz history to win such an award.

Buchholz's well known Mu Alpha Theta team (math team) has 4 state championships and one national championship.

[edit] School Sports

Buchholz has teams in the following sports:

  • Cross-Country
  • Track/Field
  • Soccer
  • Tennis
  • Golf
  • Basketball
  • Football
  • Swimming and Diving
  • Lacrosse
  • Cheerleading
  • Baseball/Softball
  • Volleyball
  • Wrestling
  • Weightlifting

Buchholz's Girls Volleyball won the 2007 6-A state girls volleyball title.

[edit] Notable alumni

Notable alumni include:

[edit] External links