Parkersburg South High School

Parkersburg South High School
Address
1511 Blizzard Drive
Parkersburg, WV
United States
Coordinates 39°14′38″N 81°32′56″W / 39.24386°N 81.54877°W / 39.24386; -81.54877Coordinates: 39°14′38″N 81°32′56″W / 39.24386°N 81.54877°W / 39.24386; -81.54877
Information
Type Public
Established 1967
School district Wood County
Principal Betsy Patterson
Faculty 157
Grades 9-12
Enrollment 1,859
Campus type Urban
Color(s)             Navy Blue, White, and Red
Mascot Patriot
Newspaper The Continental Clarion
Feeder schools Edison Junior High School
Blennerhassett Junior High School
Website woodcountyschoolswv.com/psh

Parkersburg South High School (also, just "South") in Parkersburg, West Virginia, United States serves grades 9 through 12, and is part of the Wood County School District. The school's colors are navy blue and white (with a touch of scarlet), and the mascot is a Patriot. The school's principal is Betsy Patterson. As of the 2016-17 school year, the school has 1,859 students. The Wood County School District has 13,259 students in 29 schools. Feeder schools are Edison Middle School and Blennerhasset Middle School. Current business partners include Chemours and Community Antenna Services (CAS).

Academics

Parkersburg South High School has received many awards of excellence for academics. For many years, Parkersburg South has maintained its status as a WV School of Excellence, as well as being the only high school in Wood County to pass the "No Child Left Behind" criteria. In 1989, Parkersburg South was named a WV Exemplary School by the WV Board of Education. In 1992, Parkersburg South was named a Blue Ribbon School by the WV Department of Education.[1] Parkersburg South High School has also been very successful in academic extracurricular activities. PSHS was two time defending state champion in policy debate in 2004 and 2005. PSHS has also had great success with other forms of debate, such as parliamentary and Lincoln-Douglas, as well as with the Forensic Speech team. Both the Forensics, and Debate teams have produced state finalists and champions. Although student initiated, Parkersburg South has had great success with scientific research. Several students have represented PSHS at the International Science and Engineering fair in addition to having had two Science Talent Search finalists and had students rank with top honors at both the state and national level Junior Science and Humanities Symposium. It's through scientific endeavors that in 2007, a South student was selected for the Prudential Spirit of Community Award and in 2014, another student was highlighted nationally for the AXA Achievement Scholarship. PSHS consistently performs above state average on the West Virginia Educational Standards Test.[2]

Continental Clarion

Parkersburg South has its own student-run newspaper called the Continental Clarion. New editions are published every nine weeks and can be found at http://pshsclarion.com.

Athletics

Parkersburg South maintains very successful sporting programs and has had many all state athletes, individual state champions, and team championships throughout its history. In 2008, Parkersburg, as a community, earned runner up in ESPN's Titletown competition, due to the overwhelming amount of state championships won by the city's three major high schools. Ever since its opening, Parkersburg South has experienced a fierce rivalry with cross-town school Parkersburg High School. The rivalry is recognized as one of the best in the state. Parkersburg South also boasts one of the loudest and rowdiest student sections in the state for basketball games. The students are dubbed as the "South Side Psychos". [3] Parkersburg South competes in the 5A division of the Ohio Valley Athletic Conference (OVAC), which is the largest organized high school athletic conference in the United States.

State Championships Won

Baseball: 1975

Boys Basketball: 2003

Girls Basketball: 2006, 2008, 2013

Boys Cross Country: 1980, 1982, 1983, 1984

Girls Cross Country: 1985, 1987

Boys Swimming: 2016

Football: 2003

Golf: 1978, 1993, 2006

Girls Soccer: 2003, 2006, 2015

Boys Track & Field: 1985, 1988, 2001

Girls Track & Field: 1983, 1994

Volleyball: 1989, 1997

Wrestling: 1975, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1990, 1991, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2017

Notable alumni

Erickson All Sports Facility

As one of the largest high schools in the state of West Virginia, Parkersburg South lacked a home stadium for many sporting events until a community effort begun in August 1993. Local businessman and philanthropist, Charlie Erickson spearheaded the effort with a contribution of 18 acres (73,000 m2) of land and $300,000. The Erickson All-Sports Facility is managed by the EASF Development Corporation and is home to Parkersburg South football, soccer, tennis, and track. There are also plans to build a baseball field within the facility.

Instrumental music

Instrumental department The Parkersburg South Patriot Band is a prestigious award-winning band. With professional level quality in its marching band, symphonic band, and jazz ensemble, Parkersburg South has been able to win numerous awards in its existence. In recent years, the bands' awards have consisted of:

The Instrumental department is under the direction of Mr. Eric Staats.

Choral music

Choral department The Parkersburg South High School Choral Department has been creating musical excellence since the school’s inception in the fall of 1967. Eric Roth, a young music educator began building the choral program at Parkersburg South High School. The Patriot Chorus (now formally known as the Concert Choir) and the Women’s Chorus began performing for local and state events.

Following Eric Roth, directors Mr. Matheny and Bev Roney were instrumental in continuing to build a foundation of musical excellence. In the fall of 1974, Daniel B. Thomas created the Lords and Ladies of Parkersburg South High School: The Madrigal Singers. The Madrigal Singers became a popular group throughout the Mid-Ohio Valley and across the state of West Virginia. The Madrigal Singers presented Renaissance music at its highest quality by striving to recreate the time period through costuming and sound.

In the fall of 1996, Pamela McClain began the Chamber Ensemble to add another avenue of musicianship at Parkersburg South. With all three performing groups at Parkersburg South, the Choral Department had traveled throughout much of the eastern United States and Canada receiving superior marks from adjudicators and winning numerous awards. The Parkersburg South High School choral department remains very active throughout the school year and sings for various functions throughout the community.

In 2004, Ms. Melissa R. Life became the sixth director at the high school and has vowed to keep the tradition of musical excellence alive and well. In 2008, the Parkersburg South Choral Department now includes, along with the concert and chamber choirs, and the madrigal singers, a new freshman chorus (due to the integration of the 9th grade in the high school system), and a women's chorus, Bella Voce. In the spring, Ms. Life is preparing a men's chorus as well.

Awards received: 1997: Heritage Festivals Competition in Washington, D.C. (under the direction of Mrs. Pamela McClain)

1998: Performing Arts Consultants Festival: Myrtle Beach, SC (under the direction of Mrs. Pamela McClain)

1999: Heritage Festivals Competition in Nashville, Tennessee (under the direction of Mrs. Pamela McClain)

2001: Heritage Festival Competition in Toronto, Canada (under the direction of Mrs. Pamela McClain)

2002: Heritage Festivals Competition in New York City, New York (under the direction of Mrs. Pamela McClain)

2003: Heritage Festivals Competition in Gatlinburg, Tennessee (under the direction of Mrs. Pamela McClain)

2004: Heritage Festivals Competition in Washington, D.C. (under the direction of Mrs. Pamela McClain)

2005: Heritage Festivals Competition in Chicago, Illinois (under the direction of Ms. Melissa R. Life)

2005: Music in the Parks Competition in Sandusky, Ohio (under the direction of Ms. Melissa R. Life)

2006: Heritage Festivals Competition in Toronto, Canada (under the direction of Ms. Melissa R. Life)

2007: Heritage Festivals Competition in Myrtle Beach, SC (under the direction of Ms. Melissa R. Life)

2008: West Virginia Music Educators Association High School Honors Group—Performed for WVMEA Conference - Wheeling, WV

2008: Heritage Festivals Competition in Atlanta, GA (under the direction of Ms. Melissa R. Life)

2008: Music in the Parks Competition in Pittsburgh, PA (under the direction of Ms. Melissa R. Life)

2009: Music in the Parks Competition in Cincinnati, OH (under the direction of Ms. Melissa R. Life)

2010: Heritage Festivals Competition in Nashville, TN (under the direction of Ms. Melissa R. Life) TBA ---

2010: Music in the Parks Competition in Sandusky, OH *Cedar Point (under the direction of Ms. Melissa R. Life) TBA ---

See also

References

  1. ↑ Parkersburg South
  2. ↑ Parkersburg South High School Test Scores - Parkersburg, West Virginia - WV
  3. ↑
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