Somerset High School (Kentucky)

Somerset High School
Address
301 College Street Somerset, KY, 42501  United States
Information
School type	Public
Motto	"Through these halls walk tomorrow's leaders."
Founded	1888
School board	Scott P. Gulock, Gretchen W. Cole, Sharon A. Brown, Elaine A. Wilson, Jeff L. Perkins
School district	Somerset Independent School District
Superintendent	Boyd Randolph
Principal	Mr. Wesley Madison Cornett
Vice principal	Mr. Charlie Brock
Grades	9–12
Enrollment	509 [1] (2014–15)
Language	English
Campus	Small city
Color(s)	Purple and Gold         [2]
Mascot	Cecil the Briar Jumper
Nickname	Briar Jumpers[2]
Accreditation	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools [3]
Yearbook	Homespun
Feeder schools	Meece Middle School, Hopkins Elementary School
Information	+1 (606) 678-4721
Athletic Director	Robert Tucker[2]
Website	School site

Somerset High School is a public high school in Somerset, Kentucky. The school's mission statement "is to empower all students academically, socially, and personally to be lifelong learners capable of thinking, solving problems, and serving as responsible citizens ready to meet the challenges of tomorrow."

Somerset High School is continuing the long Somerset tradition of excellence in athletics and academics. Somerset High School, with a student population of 509, is a comprehensive high school offering a wide range of courses to prepare students for success in post secondary education as well as in today's work force. Students may choose between four diploma programs including the standard, academic, college preparatory, and commonwealth diplomas. Students who need to make up high school credits may attend the "Wright Steps Academy", and students have access to the district alternative program. Students may also participate in a wide range of extracurricular classes and activities including band and working in the "Jumper Security" school bank.There are clubs including, The National Honor Society and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Somerset students have won the prestigious PRIDE (Personal Responsibility in a Desirable Environment), Campus of the Year Award, and the coveted NEED (National Energy Education Development) National Award for High Schools. Somerset High School has produced 15 National Merit Scholarship Finalists since 1987. During the course of its history, Somerset High School has produced one United States Senator (Senator John Sherman Cooper), many highly successful alumni, and several athletes who have played at the college and professional levels.

Extracurricular Activities available at Somerset High School include but are not limited to: Academic Team, Quick Recall, Future Problem Solving, Yearbook, National Honor Society, Football, Baseball, Archery, Cheer Leading, Cross-Country, Basketball, Marching Band, Swimming, Golf, Tennis, Track, Softball, Soccer, E-Team, (Environmental, Energy, Education Team), DECA, FBLA, Police and Medical Explorers, Student Technology Leadership Program, Culture Club, Drama, the Young Filmmaker's Guild and the Pep Club. These are available for all students at the high school. Awards and Recognition : Somerset High School consistently has one of the highest percentages of students in the Governor's Scholars Program; ACT averages exceed regional and state averages; 89% of our graduates attend college or vocational training full-time. Three SHS students were National Merit Commended, and one was National Achievement Scholar. Seniors were awarded more than 1.2 million dollars in scholarships for academic & service excellence.

Athletics

Somerset was one of the first schools in the state of Kentucky to have a football program, and have been growing in rich tradition ever since. They have accumulated multiple Regional Titles, District Titles and have played in the State Championship on more than one occasion. The Jumpers have won 5 consecutive football regional championships under Head coach Robbie Lucas. The football teams biggest rivals are the Danville Admirals another program rich in tradition. Somerset has appeared in 5 state championships games, but has yet to win one, last appearing in the title game in 2009. Somerset is widely regarded as the best football program in Kentucky never to have won a state title.

The 2013 Somerset Briar Jumpers made an improbable run to a regional championship. Finishing the regular season 5-4, the Briar Jumpers went on the road for every playoff game, where they were underdogs in each game and defeated Betsy Lane 29-20, Middlesboro 19-13 and Prestonsburg 28-21, to capture their fifth consecutive regional title. Somerset played modern playoff rival Newport Central Catholic and lost 49-48 in overtime, ending one of the most unlikely playoff runs in southeastern Kentucky high school football history. The 2013 Jumpers were dubbed the "Road Warriors."

After the season Head Coach Robbie Lucas was highly sought after by several schools offering him more money than Somerset, in the end Coach Lucas' loyalty to the players, school and community kept him at Somerset. Coach Lucas is fast becoming one of the most highly regarded coaches in the state.

Notes and references

Coordinates: 37°05′44″N 84°36′06″W / 37.09556°N 84.60154°W / 37.09556; -84.60154