Meadowcreek High School
Meadowcreek High School is a secondary school in Norcross, Georgia, outside of Atlanta and off I-85. The school is part of the Gwinnett County Public Schools system. Meadowcreek High School is the most diverse secondary institution in the state of Georgia with a student body representing over 90 different nationalities. There is no single ethnic majority at Meadowcreek High School. The Meadowcreek Science Olympiad Team consistently ranked in the Top 4 for over 6 consecutive years. In 2003 and 2005, it was ranked 2nd and went to the national competition with Parkview High School, the only other high school representing Georgia. Meadowcreek FCCLA was consistently ranked as one of the best fine arts programs in the Metropolitan area. In addition, the Model UN team was named 1st Place Outstanding Delegation in 2005 and 2nd Place Outstanding Delegation in 2006 at the Georgia State Competition with only 3 years of experience.
History
Meadowcreek High School, which opened in August 1986 to relieve overcrowding at Berkmar High School and Norcross High School, was named for the Meadows Family School and the Creek Indians, both once located near the site of the school. Today, the location at 4455 Steve Reynolds Boulevard (What use to be Red Plum Road) is prime real estate, fronted by a five-lane thoroughfare a mile or so from Interstate 85.
The opening of Meadowcreek High School was not without problems. There were many delays in construction. The faculty and staff were unable to work in the building until the Friday before school began on Monday. Most worked all weekend to prepare for the first day of classes. The excitement and pride of being in a new facility had to be postponed for some faculty and students because the gym, theater, band and chorus rooms and science labs were not completed when school began. Still, the newly assembled staff of 50 and the new student body, two-thirds of whom came from Berkmar and one-third from Norcross, worked at overcoming these obstacles and created a spirit of cooperation and commitment to their new home. Also, during the first year, Meadowcreek temporarily housed 500 eighth-grade students and 20 teachers from Sweetwater Middle School, which was overcrowded.
At the time, Meadowcreek served a unique student body made up of students representing at least a dozen cultures, nationalities and languages. One project which helped unite the students, faculty and community and began to give Meadowcreek a sense of identity was the spring musical Li’l Abner, which involved students, teachers, parents and others in the production. Meadowcreek students also demonstrated that they could compete with the more established schools in the county by winning in junior varsity competition in wrestling, soccer and football. Four county winners in the Mosaic writing competition came from Meadowcreek the first year.
The school’s mascot is the Mustang. The school’s colors are Carolina Blue, Navy and White. The colors and mascot were chosen in a vote by the first student body from a variety of choices(Warriors and Indians were the finalist).[1]
Building Facts
- The school is divided in the 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, and 5000 buildings.
- The 1000 building is the original building, opened 1986.
- Much of the 1000 building has been modified since 1986.
- The old theatre from the commons was torn down to make way for the expansion of the commons.
- To expand the library the main hall in the 1200 section was removed.
- The 2000 building added more classrooms and computer labs.
- The 3000 building also added more classrooms to relieve overcrowding.
- The 4000 building was the largest of the construction projects at the school.
- Phase I consisted of more classrooms and computer labs.
- Phase II added new Band, Chorus, Dance, Orchestra rooms.
- A new theatre, considered the best in the county, and a new athletic gym.
- The area between the athletic gym and the theatre share a large communal area with a concession stand.
- The "basement" of the building, consists of a weight room, locker rooms, and offices.
- The 5000 building added classrooms, computer labs and science labs.
- Though there are three stories to this building only the first two levels are used, because at the time of construction the county decided that the third floor was not needed and would be finished at a later time.
- 2009 New concessions and pressbox for the baseball team have been completed
Future Construction
- (Postponed)The third floor of the 5000 building was set to open August 2010, but due to budget cuts and enrollment numbers it has been delayed
- Visiting bleachers for the football field have been approved and construction should begin soon
Athletics
There are many sports offered by the Meadowcreek Athletics Department.
Fine arts
Meadowcreek has continually had some of the best fine arts program in the county; constantly earning top honors at competitions and performing at major sporting event.
- Band
- Chorus
- Dance
- Orchestra
- Theatre
Clubs & Activities
There are many clubs and activities being offered at Meadowcreek High School.
- Academic Team
- Anime Club
- Beta Club
- Creek Caterers
- Dance Team
- DECA
- Environmental Club
- Ethnic & Excellence Club
- FCCLA (Family, Community, & Career Leaders Of America)
- Flow (Step Alumni)
- French Club
- Future Business Leaders Of America
- Future Educators Of America (FEA)
- Gay Straight Alliance
- German Club
- Interact
- Latin Club
- Latin Mustangs
- Math Team
- Meadowcreek Christian Conquerors (M.C.C.)
- Med Club
- Mock Trial
- Model U.N.
- Mu Alpha Theta
- Muslim Student Association
- Mustang Pep Squad
- National Art Honor Society
- National English Honor Society
- National Honor Society
- National Science Honor Society
- Pony Express (Newspaper)
- S.A.L.T. (Students As Living Testimones)
- Sassy Sapphire Dancers
- Science National Honor Society
- Science Olympiad
- SEAL (Sisters Educated And Liberated)
- Spanish Honor Society
- SQUAD (Simply Qualified United and Determined)
- Student Council
- Drama Guild
- Thespians
- WMHS school's broadcasting
- Volunteer Center
- Yearbook
Achievements
- (1988) - The Meadowcreek Mustangs Varsity Football team in its first full Varsity season made the state playoffs in Class AA for the first time in school's history. Led by MHS's first Head Football Coach, Kevin Maloof, The Mustangs defeated then Class AA powerhouse, East Hall 21-20 in one of greatest upset in Meadowcreek Football history,The Mustangs knocked off top-ranked White County(away) 28-7,but were defeated in a very close game against the Lovett School, 13-7 for the 8-AA Region championship.
- (1988) - Meadowcreek Varsity Men and Women's Basketball, Men's Varsity Soccer, Varsity Baseball, Varsity Wrestling(in Area 8) and Men and Women's Varsity Track all competed for the Region 8-AA Championships.
- (1988) - "To Kill A Mockingbird" by Haper Lee was performed by Meadowcreek's Fine Arts department which earned Meadowcreek its first-ever AA State Championship for One-Act Play. Derek Sanders(MHS class of 1988) received best supporting Actor.
- (1989) - Alex Paucar(MHS class of 1992) became Meadowcreek's first State Wrestling Champion. Under Head Coach, Cliff Ramos, Alex won the title twice. His first State title was in 1989 (In Class AA) at 103 pounds, State Runner-Up (In Class AAAA) in 1991 and his second State Title was in 1992(In class AAAA) at 125 pounds. Alex is MHS only 2x state champion with a record of 112-15 in his 4-years at MHS.
- (1989)-The Meadowcreek Mustangs Football Team were the last MHS Football team to be ranked in the Top 5 by the Gwinnett Daily Post, The now defuent Gwinnett Daily News, and the Atlanta Journal/Constitution. Under Head Football Coach, Kevin Maloof,The Mustangs finished the season with a 7-3 record in 8-AA missing the 1989 AA State Football playoffs.
- (1989) - All County Football and Track Standout,David Hendrix(MHS class of 1990) won the Class AA State Track Title in the 100 & 300 meters Hurdles.
- (1990) - Mandel Coleman(MHS class of 1991) finishes his career at MHS by becoming the first Mustang Football player to receive Gwinnett County Touchdown Club's Defensive Player of the Year and the second player since Darly Rogers(MHS class of 1989) to receive All-State Football Honors at DB and becomes Meadowcreek's All-Time leading rusher and rushing touchdown leader (3,289 yards and 42 Touchdowns)
- (1995) - The Meadowcreek Mustangs Varsity Football team was the last Football Team to finish with a winning record at 5-5(.500). Led by Head Coach Tom Lozano, The 1995 Mustangs had two-time 1,000 yards rusher, Jason Ward, All-County (and former University of Memphis star) LB-Karmir Shakair, and future NFL player, TE-Wesley Dukes.
- (2001) -The MHS Woman's Varsity Basketball Team, led by All-State and Current WNBA player, Amber Holt and All-County,Sherida Triggs led to MHS to its first-ever AAAAA State Basketball Championship. Under Head Coach, Mike Ireland,The Mustangs faced eventual AAAAA State Champion,Collins Hill and former MHS stand-out, Stacy Booker in one of the greatest high school woman's basketball games in MHS history!
- (2005) - On 5/12/05 Meadowcreek senior Hasan Soneji received 2nd place for FBLA-PBL in Visual Basic Programming at statewide competition. Soneji represented Meadowcreek in national competition located in Denver, CO for Visual Basic Programming. [2]
- (2008) - The Culinary team won 1st place in the Georgia ProStart competition; which was the first time in the school's history that this honor has been given.[3]
- (2006) - On 5/6/06 Brittany Hall made school and Georgia history by breaking the record for the 800m run with a time of 2:08.58[4]
- (2006)- the MHS Men's Varsity Basketball Team has one of its best seasons in MHS Basketball History making it the 2006-07 GHSA State Basketball Tournament with a record of 24-7. Meadowcreek Men's Basketball wins it first-ever Region 8-AAAAA Championship under Head coach, Billy Davis
- (2007)- Meadowcreek men's Varsity Basketball team makes the GHSA State Basketball tournament for the second time under head coach, Billy Davis. Led by former AAAAA Player of the Year,2x All-State and former Michigan State(now Iowa State) guard,Chris Allen(MHS class of 2007), the Mustangs go into the State tournament with one of the best records (26-3)in school's history.
- (2008) - On 9/5/08 Meadowcreek Football broke it's 43 game losing streak by defeating Duluth.[4]
- (2009) - The Culinary team won 1st place in the Georgia ProStart competition; also won in 2008.[5]
Statistics
- Demographics (2009-2010 school year, last available numbers)[6]
- Hispanic: 57%
- Black: 24%
- Asian: 10%
- White: 4%
- Other: 5%
Notable alumni
- Amber Shirell Holt:(MHS class of 2003) First MHS athlete to be drafted in the first-round(9th overall) by the Connecticut Sun. Currently is playing for the Tulsa Shock of the WNBA. [7]
- Brittany Hall:(MHS Class of 2007):Signed with LSU as one of the nation’s top recruits in the 800 meters. Is a former national record holder in the event after clocking a personal best of 2:08.47 to capture the USATF Junior Olympic title in Indianapolis, Ind., in July 2005 Captured three-straight Class 5A state titles in the 800 meters at Meadowcreek High School. Set a new state record during her junior season with a top time of 2:08.58. Eclipsed the previous Class 5A best of 2:08.75 set by Susan Crisp of Brookwood High School in 1985. Time also ranked No. 5 among all high school performers for 2006.--At Louisana State University(LSU) Brittany was 3-time concenses All-American, 2-time NCAA Mideast Regional Champion,SEC Champion and All-SEC.
- Cornell M. Thomas (MHS class of 1990): First Meadowcreek football player to sign with the National Football League as an un-drafted free agent in 1994. Cornell was a member of the 1995 AFC Champions, San Diego Chargers
- David Hendrix(MHS Class of 1990): Member of Georgia Tech Football 1990-UPI national championship team. Second Meadowcreek Football player to enter the NFL as a free agent in 1995 for the San Diego Chargers
- Wesley Dukes(MHS class of 1996): Former Basketball Standout at Mercer (GA) University and is the Third Meadowcreek football player to play in the NFL as an un-drafted free agent TE for the Denver Broncos[8]
- Eric L.McDonald(MHS class of 1990): Notable Sports Journalist/Columnist and Author who has written for the Atlanta Journal and Constitution, The Covington News, and currently with the Newton/Rockdale Citizen [9]
- Beau Estes(MHS class of 1990): T.V. and Radio Sports Personality, He is currently on 680AM-TheFan.
- Jason Nichols(MHS class of 1992):Third MHS All-State Football Player (was also a record-setting All-County QB/DB), All-Time Reception Leader as a wide receiver at East Carolina, currently is the wide receivers coach at The University of Toledo(OH)in the Mid-American Conference.
- Jared Kennedy & Jordan Kennedy(MHS class of 2005): (Known by stage names Twinn & Fatt Kidd) Hurricane Katrina survivors turned cartoon and major label music producers, CEOs of a large corporation, Broken Equipment Productions, Inc. and partners with Universal Records.
References
External links
GHSA Class AAAAA Region 7
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