Martinsburg High School

Martinsburg High School is a public high school located in Martinsburg, West Virginia. The school is an active member of the WVSSAC. The acting principal of the school is Mr. Trent Sherman.^[2]

Notable alumni include: Vicky Bullett, a two time Olympic Gold Medalist and former WNBA player; Fulton Walker, a former NFL defensive back and kick returner; Kevin Pittsnogle, a basketball player who played for West Virginia University and currently teaches at Martinsburg North Middle School;^[3] and Shannon Larkin, drummer for the band Godsmack. Stand out quarterback Nate Sowers set many school and state records and now plays for the West Virginia Mountaineers as a safety. A 1976 graduate, Chris Fox, was a repeat All American track star at Auburn University, and is currently a track coach at Syracuse University.

Martinsburg High School has a rich tradition in athletics and is consistently considered as one of the top programs in the state in numerous sports. All of Martinsburg High School's athletic teams compete at the "AAA" level, which includes all of the largest schools in the state. Martinsburg won AAA State Basketball Championships in 1994 and 2009, and was runner-up in 1988, 1990, 2003, 2005, 2006, and 2011. Martinsburg has been runner-up in the AAA State Football Championship on four separate occasions since 2000 and has won the championship in 2010, 2011, and 2012 - becoming just the second school in WV to win three consecutive football championships since Charleston in 1968, 1969, and 1970. Martinsburg has also been the AAA State Baseball Champions on several occasions, including 1996 and 2009; and Martinsburg has finished in the Final Four of the AAA State Boys Soccer Championship in 4 of the last 6 seasons. Martinsburg also competes in Women's Volleyball, Wrestling, Men's and Women's Swimming, Men's and Women's Track, Men's and Women's Cross-Country, Men's and Women's Tennis, Co-Ed Golf and Cheerleading. In 2010, the school's football team was named the AAA state football champions after they defeated Brooke High School on Saturday, December 13, 2010 winning 30-0. The football team was said to be inspired by former player Kameron Puller, who was forced to sit out that season and, in turn, forfeit his spot as the starting quarterback due to the fact that he suffers from a chronic illness. The team was led to the football victory by Head Football Coach/Assistant Principal David Walker. The 2010 football championship is the first of its kind for the school in the sport of football.

Martinsburg High School's Cobourn Field is the one of only two fields that use a synthetic playing surface in Berkeley County. It is used year-round for various sporting and community events.

The "Martinsburg High School Bulldog Band", led by Director of Bands Mr. James Southern, is composed of approximately 80 students. The band has continued to be near one of the top ranking bands in West Virginia. The jazz band has scored a "superior" rating, the highest rating possible, at every competition in which it has competed. During the 2010 and marching season, the Bulldog Marching Band ranked 1st in Division 4 at TOB Chapter Championships in Lewis County, WV. They also went home with an overall score of 88.0, and the award for best auxiliary and best drum major. The band also accomplished another great victory in October 2011, by receiving 1st at Chapter Championships for the second consecutive year.

MHS has greatly improved the quality of its education, facility, and administration since its general decline in the late 1960s due to budgetary constraints. The school had a different principal each year in 1968, 1969, and 1970, and did not have any cafeteria facilities on the premises. Despite the shifting administration, sub standard facilities, and underpaid teachers, MHS graduated three National Merit Scholars in 1971. Another graduate of that class is now a significant philanthropist in New York City, one who has donated money to educational causes in West Virginia.

On January 10, 2011, Martinsburg High School became the 623rd official chapter of the Science National Honor Society, a very prestigious, science oriented organization. The Society's branch at the school was started by Varun Menon and Stephan Haloftis. The organization focuses on academic excellence, intellectual curiosity, and community service and education.^[4] Martinsburg High School also became the sixth high school in West Virginia to be recognized by the Science National Honor Society.^[5]

Administration

Acting Principal: Trent Sherman

Assistant Principals: Greg Reed, David Walker, Trey Arvon

Staff

Hired through Berkeley County Schools and the West Virginia Department of Education.

Contacts

Main Phone: 304-267-3530; Fax: 304 267-3536 Guidance department: 304-267-3535

References

External links

• Berkeley County Schools Website
• Martinsburg High School Website