Pulaski County High School (Virginia)

Pulaski County High School
Address

5414 Cougar Trail
Dublin, Virginia, 24084
USA

37°5′13.6″N 80°42′56.8″W / 37.087111°N 80.715778°WCoordinates: 37°5′13.6″N 80°42′56.8″W / 37.087111°N 80.715778°W
Information
School type Public, high school
Established 1974
School district Pulaski County Public Schools
Superintendent Dr. Thomas Brewster
Principal Michael Grim
Assistant principals Jennifer Bolling
Mark Hanks
Ross Matney
Grades 9-12
Enrollment 1,420[1] (2012)
Language English
Color(s)           Burgundy and Gold
Athletics conference Virginia High School League
Division 4 A Conference 24 North
River Ridge District
Nickname Cougars
Rival Radford High School
Blacksburg High School
Christiansburg High School
Salem High School
Website Official Site


Pulaski County High School (commonly PCHS) is a public secondary school located at 5414 Cougar Trail Road in Dublin, Virginia about 45 miles southwest of Roanoke, Virginia. It is the sole public high school in Pulaski County, Virginia and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.[2]

History

Pulaski County High School opened in 1974 with the consolidation of Dublin High School in Dublin and Pulaski High School in Pulaski. Brief histories of these predecessor schools are outlined below.

Dublin High School

By 1905, parents in the town of Dublin recognized the need for a school in the community. The public schools at this time were in season for only a period of five months each year, and after some investigation into the matter it was determined that a boarding department to house students on campus would be necessary for the school to function and be a financially profitable endeavor. Through subscription of private funds, three buildings were constructed in 1905: a boys' dormitory, academic building, and a general dining hall adjoining the girls' dormitory. A second boys’ dormitory would be added to the campus two years later. The new Dublin High School started an athletic department, coached by college men and in many cases competing against colleges in athletic competitions. Dublin High School was operated privately until 1911, at which time the successful private school was taken over by the local government in Pulaski County and became a public high school. By 1922, a decision was made to construct a new academic building to replace the original wooden structure. To finance construction of this project, the local government issued bonds which raised 20,000 for the building and $5,000 for equipment.

Dublin High School principal F.H. Jordan began teaching the school's first vocational agriculture class in 1922, on the lower floor of the new academic building. The school's curriculum would expand again in 1937, with the addition of a home economics department to the curriculum. During the summer of 1938, the school constructed a library, senior classroom, sixth grade classroom, and a new agriculture building to house the department. This expansion would be necessary to accommodate a merger the following year during which Dublin High School consolidated with Belspring High School. Student enrollment at Dublin High School rose to approximately 300, with four buses used to transport students from Belspring and Dublin

Economic growth from industry and commercial development had a significant impact on Pulaski County, particularly during and after World War II. The county saw steady population growth and expanded enrollment in the school system. By the 1950s, increased enrollment at Dublin High School had rendered many of the campus improvements from 1938 obsolete. To resolve this problem, the people of Pulaski County approved a new bond issue to finance the construction of a new million dollar high school campus in Dublin, which opened in 1953. This new school featured a modern Home Economics department, as well a separate building to house the Agriculture department. 1953 also saw the consolidation of Dublin High School with Draper High School, and the campus enrollment during this period rose to some 700 students. Over the next twenty years enrollment at Dublin High School climbed steadily to approximately 1300 students, making it the largest high school in the county at the time.

Consolidation of Dublin High School and Pulaski High School

By the 1970s, the total county-wide enrollment of students at Dublin High School and Pulaski High School had reached approximately 2,500 students. The school system's significant growth made it necessary for the people of Pulaski County to consider the construction of a new consolidated high school that could serve all the county's students. The proposed merger generated considerably public debate in the local community, particularly among residents of Dublin and Pulaski worried about losing their community high schools.

To resolve the matter, a referendum was placed before county voters which proposed the consolidation of the two remaining high schools in the county into one institution. The referendum ultimately passed and gave public support to the merger. Shortly thereafter voters voted on and approved a bond issue in the amount of $6,000,000 to finance construction of the project. The school would be designed to serve 9th grade to 12th grade students, and had a projected enrollment of 2,000 students. Pulaski County High School opened its doors to the public in 1974, and continues in operation to the present day.

The two former high schools now serve as middle schools, Pulaski Middle School and Dublin Middle School.[3]

Academics

Pulaski County High School is a comprehensive high school which includes grades 9th through 12th and is part of the Pulaski County Public School Division. As of the 2011-2012 school year, the school had an enrollment of 1,420 students.[4] The school has 98.67 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis),[5] for a student-teacher ratio of 14.4.

Pulaski County High School operates on an 8:30 a.m. to 3:26 p.m. schedule, which includes four class blocks and three lunch blocks scheduled throughout the day.[6]

Pulaski County High School offers 9 Advanced Placement courses: English Language and Composition, English Literature and Composition, Art History, Studio Art, Calculus, Environmental Science, U.S. Government and Politics, U.S. History, and Psychology. The school also features an on-site Career and Technical Education Center, which offers a number of vocational courses in the fields of: agriculture, business, marketing, early childhood education, fashion, nutrition and wellness, culinary arts, nursing, construction and building trades, computer aided design, auto repair, cosmetology, electricity, video production, and welding.[7]

Until the 2006-2007 school year the Southwest Virginia Governor's School was located on the campus. It is now located at the former Northwood Elementary School, in the town of Pulaski.

Athletics and Extracurriculars

Football

Pulaski County High School is a member of the Virginia High School League and competes in the AA River Ridge District,[8] a district in Region IV of Group AA.[9] From 1974 to 1975, Pulaski County High School competed in the AAA Western District, before entering the newly formed AAA Roanoke Valley District. As a member of the Roanoke Valley District and the Northwest Region, Pulaski County defeated Thomas Dale High School to capture the Group AAA, Division 6 football state championship in 1992[10] under the direction of former West Virginia University assistant Joel Hicks.[11]

In 1993, Pulaski County was ranked as one of the top 25 high school football teams in the country by USA Today for most of the season. The Cougars won their first 13 games, but star player Eric Webb was injured in the state semi-final and was unable to play in the state championship which the Cougars lost to Annandale High School. In 2001, Pulaski County dropped down to the Group AA Blue Ridge District. That year, the Cougar football team, which had returned most players from a 2000 Group AAA, Division 5 state semi-finalist, advanced to the Group AA, Division 4 state championship before falling to Lafayette High School.

In 2008, Pulaski County High School had a perfect 10-0 regular season, winning the River Ridge District in the process. The Cougars shut out both Blacksburg and Salem to win the Region IV, Division 4 title. Pulaski County was subsequently defeated in the AA, Division 4 state semifinals by Amherst County, by a 13-7 score.

Pulaski County has also produced such well-known athletes and coaches such as: former Washington Redskins receiver Gary Clark,[12] New Orleans Saints kicker Shayne Graham, former Dallas Cowboys defensive line coach and current Georgia Bulldogs defensive coordinator Todd Grantham,[13] Carolina Panthers and Virginia Tech standout Jeff King,.[14]

Basketball

Pulaski County High School has had several successful Boys' Basketball teams. During the late 1970s into the early 1980s, Pulaski County High School's Boys Basketball Team under the direction of Coach Allen Wiley, won several Roanoke Valley District Titles and the Northwest Region Titles. In the early 1980s, Pulaski County's Basketball Team was led by Michael Porter, who had won several state awards, and had played in the United States High School All-Star team.

In 2004, the Cougar Basketball team under the direction of Coach Mark Hanks journeyed to the Group AA playoffs for the first time since the early 1990s. In 2005, the Cougars captured the 2005 River Ridge District title and advanced to the 2005 playoffs. In 2006, the Cougars made another Group AA playoff run. Hanks took two years off while serving solely as the athletic director, he returned to the court in 2011 to coach the men's team. The team is now coached by Andrew Hart.

The PCHS Lady Cougars experienced several accomplishments during the 2007-2008 season. Particularly on January 1, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. the Lady Cougars defeated the River Ridge District number one ranked team the Hidden Valley Titans. Led by coach Brenda King, the Lady Cougars snapped the Hidden Valley Titan's 38 game winning streak.

The school also does a Senior vs Faculty basketball game every year, in which the proceeds go to the charity of the winning teams choice.

Cheerleading

Drama

The school has won 2 state drama championships under the direction of Jeff McCoy and another state title under the previous director, Rhonda Welsh, for a total of three state championships. The most recent state championship piece was an original musical, "The Other Side Of The Story," which is about the villains in famous fairy tales and how they weren't as evil as they seemed. The script was written by Mr. McCoy with assistance from students, with the music and arrangements written collaboratively by Josh O Dell and Mr. McCoy. Several students have won individual Top 8 Actor awards on the state level; recently Aaron Sifford, Jessi Durham, Devin Altizer, and Brian Snider. The Drama department has also performed in the American High School Theater Festival at Edinburgh, Scotland.

Band

The band program at Pulaski County High School has been a symbol of success and pride for the high school and residents of Pulaski County since the fist notes were played in the fall of 1974. The program has received many awards ranging from marching band and concert ensembles, to the indoor winter performing groups. The instrumental program at PCHS has produced thousands of fine musicians over the years. It has been through the efforts of those musicians that the program at PCHS has been named a Virginia Honor Band thirteen times. Emphasis on hard work and musicianship is what makes the Golden Cougar Band "The Pride of Pulaski County." The band is under the direction of Mr. Matthew M. Shrewsbury.

MACC

The school's Math MACC (under Ming Chan) Super MACC and Little League MACC (Mountain Academic Competition Conference) Team won 1st place at Super MACC, the MACC Championship in 2005. The school also sports award-winning Social Studies, Science, English, and All-Around Teams.

The All-Around team won a Super MACC championship in 2007, and the Science team went on to Super MACC after finishing second in the tournament. Social Studies finished second in the regular season, but did not go on to Super MACC. However, in 2014 Social Studies won the Super MACC championship.

Chess

Pulaski County High School also has a strong tradition in chess which culminated in the mid to late 1980s. In 1985, Pulaski County finished in second place in the national championships only 0.5 points behind the first place team. In 1987, Pulaski County hosted the national championship. The Cougars also captured the Virginia Scholastic State Chess Championship in 1998.

Cross Country

During the 2006-2007 school year, Pulaski County High School produced a girl's cross country team that successfully came in first place in the following meets: Run fer da Hills, Blue Demon Invitational, Tusculum Invitational. They also came in second during the Bristol Cross Invitational and River Ridge District Meet. The second place finish at the River Ridge District Meet allowed them to continue as a team to the Region III meet. The girl's team advanced to the state meet for the first time in PCHS history.

In 1978, the boy's cross country team under Coach David Wright won the Roanoke Valley District title with a 10-0 record. The District final was held at Pulaski's home course. This was the first district title won by a PCHS sports team.

Track & Field

During the 2005 Outdoor Track season, Leslie Anderson led the girl track team to a River Ridge District title, Region III title, and third place team finish at the AA State Championships. Ms. Anderson won the 400 meters and Long Jump and finished in the runner-up spot in the 100 and 200 meter dashes. Anderson was All-State 10 times in her high school career and won two individual state titles.(400m and Long Jump in 2005). During the 2009-10 Indoor and Outdoor track season Amber Church, led the Cougar's to never before seen level's of success. The Cougar's captured a 4th place at the Indoor State AA Championships, 2nd in the River Ridge District, won the Region IV Championship and 3rd place at the AA State Championships. She scored 40 points at the Indoor State meet and followed that up with 39 points at the Outdoor State meet. Ms. Church ended her career as the most successful female athlete in Pulaski County High School history, with 19 All-State honors, 6 State Championships (100H(2), 55H, 300H, High Jump, Long Jump) and 5 State Runner-ups, to go along with 37 All-District honors and 34 All-Region honors and 2 Time Roanoke Time All-Timesland Track Athlete of the Year.

Other All-State Girls include: Brenna Blevins, 7 times All-state in the 300m dash, High Jump, and Long jump from 2000-03. Alfreda Harder, All-state in 2003 in the Shot Put. Liz Hager was the 2002 state champion in the discus and All-State in 2001. Nikki Roseberry, All-State in High Jump in 2005. Sabrina Hall, 6 times All-State in the 1600m and 3200m from 2006-08. All-State Boys include: Michael Casseri who was the 2002 State runner up in Discuss. Keivon Payne in 2003 in the 300H. Brandon Anderson was 4 times from 2003-04 in the 400m and Long Jump, was state runner-up in long jump in 2004. Thomas Doolittle in 2004 in the 500m. Lance McDaniel in 2004 and 2005 3 times in the 1600m and 3200m. Andrew Hart in 2005 in High Jump. and Josh Crowder in 2006 twice in the 800m and 1000m

References

  1. ↑ "Pulaski County High School 2011-2012 Report Card". Virginia Department of Education. Retrieved 25 June 2012.
  2. ↑ "Institution Summary: Pulaski County High School". International Registry for Accreditation. Retrieved 26 June 2012.
  3. ↑ "History of Pulaski County" (PDF). Pulaski County, VA Government. Retrieved 25 June 2012.
  4. ↑ "Pulaski County High School 2011-2012 Report Card". Virginia Department of Education. Retrieved 25 June 2012.
  5. ↑ "Pulaski County SR. High". National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved 25 June 2012.
  6. ↑ "Pulaski County High School Student Handbook" (PDF). Pulaski County Public Schools. Retrieved 25 June 2012.
  7. ↑ "2012-2013 Course Catalog" (PDF). Pulaski County High School. Retrieved 26 June 2012.
  8. ↑ "River Ridge District 2011 Season Ratings". Hutchison's Virginia High School League Football Reference. Virginia High School Football Reference. Retrieved 28 June 2012.
  9. ↑ "VHSL Football - 2012 Divisions" (PDF). Virginia High School League. Retrieved 28 June 2012.
  10. ↑ "VHSL Football - State Champions Summary". Hutchison's Virginia High School League Football Reference. Virginia High School Football Reference. Retrieved 28 June 2012.
  11. ↑ Doughty, Doug (2008-08-14). "Harvey 1st star at Pulaski for Hicks". The Roanoke Times. Retrieved 28 June 2012.
  12. ↑ Morgan, Joseph. "3-23-1992 Minutes of the Pulaski County Board of Supervisors Meeting" (PDF). Pulaski County Virginia. Retrieved 28 June 2012.
  13. ↑ Doughty, Doug (2008-08-14). "Harvey 1st star at Pulaski for Hicks". The Roanoke Times. Retrieved 28 June 2012.
  14. ↑ "Player Bio: #87 - Jeff King". Carolina Panthers. Retrieved 28 June 2012.