Bexley High School (Bexley, Ohio)

Infobox Secondary school
name = Bexley High School

city = Bexley
state = Ohio
country = USA
colors = Royal Blue and White
district = Bexley City School District
mascot = John Kellogg
grades = 9-12
established =
type = Public high school
enrollment = 806
number of Teachers = 57
number of Counselors = 4
number of Office people = 2
motto =
principal = John Kellogg
superintendent = Dr. Michael L. Johnson
athletics = Lions
yearbook = Bexleo
newspaper = The Torch
website = [http://www.bexleyschools.org] www.bexleyschools.org
address = 326 South Cassingham Road
campus =

Bexley High School is a public high school located in Bexley, Ohio, an affluent suburb of Columbus, Ohio. It is in the Bexley City School District. Currently there are 44 teachers that teach at least one class. The graduation rate for the 2004-05 school year was 98.6%. Its principal is John Kellogg.

Performance

The Bexley City School District is one of the top 5 in the nation based on test scores [SchoolMatch, an independent school rating service] . Bexley High School is one of only 256 Ohio High Performing Districts [Ohio Department of Education] , was rated one of the best public High School in Ohio in 2006.Fact|date=May 2007, and was ranked in the highest 2% of Ohio high schools (regardless of size) for the Ohio Proficiency test.

Awards

*Bexley achieved a Excellent rating from the Ohio Department of Education for the 2005-2006 school year, meeting 23 of 23 indicators based on proficiency test scores, attendance and other figures.

Athletics

Bexley runs a comprehensive athletics program, including teams in the following areas: Basketball, Baseball, Cross Country, Field Hockey, Soccer, Softball, Swimming, Tennis, Track, Volleyball and Wrestling. Bexley purchased artificial grass instead of regular grass for athletes to perform on in the winter of 2003. Teams have won Ohio High School Athletic Association State Championshipscite web|url=http://www.ohsaa.org/|title=Ohio High School Athletic Association Web site|accessdate=2006-12-31|author=OHSAA] in:
* Basketball - 1983
* Boy's Soccer – 2003,2005
* Girls Volleyball – 1977

Athletic director

As of 2008, Molly Feesler is the Athletic Director at Bexley City Schools following the retirement of John Morgan (who had been director since 2002). Mr. Morgan has taken the assistant principal position at Central Crossing High School. Ms. Feesler comes to Bexley with 20+ years of experience as a teacher, coach and administrator. Ms. Feesler holds a Master of Education from Ohio University and Educational Administration Licensure from Ashland University in Columbus. She has taught Mathematics in the Pickerington Local School District since 2000. Prior to her service in Pickerington, Ms. Feesler was Assistant Principal and Athletic Director at St. Francis DeSales High School in Columbus. DeSales won six state championships during her five year tenure as Athletic Director.

Football program

In 2007, the Bexley Lions football hired John Smith, former Head Coach at Springfield High School (New Middletown, Ohio which is in northeastern Ohio near Youngstown).

Recent Seasons

*2007: 4-6
*2006: 8-2
*2005: 6-4
*2004: 6-4
*2008 Football Staff
**John Smith, Head Football Coach
**Chris Farbizo, Defensive Coordinator
**Tom Beck, Assistant Coach
**Raleigh Mitchell, Assistant Coach
**Henry Kamuela Lee, Offensive Coordinator, Offensive/Defensive Line Coach and Head J.V. Coach
**Brian Thomas, Co-offensive Coordinator, Assistant J.V. Coach
**Elliot Good, Head Freshman Coach
**Jason "Chode" Ryan, Assistant Freshmen Coach
**Micheal Ruccia, Assistant Freshman Coach
**Sandy Rosen, Stats/Media Contact/Team Photos
**Shelby Cheses, Videographer
**John Sheets, Athletic Trainer
**K. William Kumler, M.D., Team Physician

Recent Football Rival Scores

*Columbus Academy 35-28 Bexley, 10/19/07 [http://www.maxpreps.com/ohio/football/bexley%20(columbus)/schedule.aspx?ssid=2d976fd6-2d12-41a3-ad74-8f39dfcdb95e&schoolid=2ee998dc-0107-4352-a3d3-a57073bb4b3a&urpath=,local,team]
*Licking Valley 31-0 Licking Valley, 9/14/07 [http://www.maxpreps.com/ohio/football/bexley%20(columbus)/schedule.aspx?ssid=2d976fd6-2d12-41a3-ad74-8f39dfcdb95e&schoolid=2ee998dc-0107-4352-a3d3-a57073bb4b3a&urpath=,local,team]
*Bishop Hartley 28-13 Bexley, 9/07/07 [http://www.maxpreps.com/ohio/football/bexley%20(columbus)/schedule.aspx?ssid=2d976fd6-2d12-41a3-ad74-8f39dfcdb95e&schoolid=2ee998dc-0107-4352-a3d3-a57073bb4b3a&urpath=,local,team]
*Whitehall Yearling High School 55-33 Bexley, 9/20/07 [http://www.maxpreps.com/ohio/football/bexley%20(columbus)/schedule.aspx?ssid=2d976fd6-2d12-41a3-ad74-8f39dfcdb95e&schoolid=2ee998dc-0107-4352-a3d3-a57073bb4b3a&urpath=,local,team]
*St. Charles 28-18 Bexley, 8/29/08 [http://www.maxpreps.com/ohio/football/bexley%20(columbus)/schedule.aspx?ssid=2f36027d-d6f6-4509-aba9-adad5cc85b5e&schoolid=2ee998dc-0107-4352-a3d3-a57073bb4b3a&urpath=,local,team]

Volleyball Program

The Bexley Lions volleyball program is on the upswing. After winning the league in 2002, the Lions finished the 2007 regular and post season a school record 25-2, regional runner up, and finishing fifth in the state of Ohio.

occer program

Both men's and women's soccer programs are outstanding, though at this time only the men's team has won the state championship (2003 and 2005). The boys have also been the league champions since 1995. The girls have been state finalists in 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006. They were State Runner-Ups in 1999.

Rivals

Bexley's most hated opponent is the Columbus Academy Vikings. Columbus Academy is just eight miles from Bexley High School. Other rivals of Bexley include the Licking Valley Panthers, the Bishop Hartley Hawks, the Whitehall Yearling High School Rams and the St. Charles Cardinals.

Clubs

*Art Club
*Bexleo
*ISO
*Ski Club
*Environmental Club
*Book Club
*Key Club
*The Lamplight
*In The Know
*Latin Club
*Student Council
*Debate Club
*Philosophical Discourse Syndicate
*Ping Pong Club
*Lion eNews
*Band
*Choirs: Men's Glee, Women's Glee, Men's Chorus, Symphonic Choir, Women's Chorale, and Vocal Ensemble
*Orchestra: Concert Orchestra, Bexley Sinfonia
*Drama Club
*Junior Statesmen of America

Choral Program

The Choral program at Bexley High School has been extremely successful for the past decade. The Choral department is broken up into 5 separate choirs. Each choir has a distinct difference from the next, and each focus on different things. All five choirs are directed by Amy Blosser and accompanied on the piano by Casey Cook-Westfall.

Men's/Women's Glee

Men's and Women's glee are the "entry" choirs of the five. These two choirs focus on basic music theory and sight-reading of short, simple pieces of music. Another focus of Men and Women's Glee is tone quality, as in earlier choirs this was not stressed and in cases, not mentioned at all. The members of the two Glee choirs are mostly first year freshman, unless an older student is trying out choir for the first time. Also, rare exceptions have been made where participants are "held back" in Men's or Women's Glee as they are not ready to progress.

ymphonic Choir

The Symphonic Choir is considered to be the only mid-level choir of the five. (Men's and Women's glee being the lowest, and Women's Chorale and Vocal Ensemble being the elite.) The main focus while in Symphonic Choir is leaving the lower level music and progressing to tougher music to sight-read. Symphonic Choir is usually the student's first opportunity to be in a mixed choir, and the learning curve of this task is also stressed. The majority of Symphonic members are second year choral members, with exceptions of first year members who are either selected because of a schedule conflict, or the feeling by the director that they are too talented to begin in Men's or Women's Glee.

Women's Chorale

Women's Chorale is the first of the two elite choirs in Bexley High School. An all women's group, Women's Chorale performs music in the SSAA (Two Soprano groups along with two Alto groups) format. There are students who participate in both the Vocal Ensemble, and Women's Chorale. This is usually very rare, with only four students attempting this in the 2006-2007 school year. Women's Chorale has performed very well recently at the OMEA District and State competitions in the A category, most recently receiving a "Superior" rating, the highest rating. Members of Women's Chorale tend to either be third year students just coming out of the Symphonic Choir, or second year members who performed very well in Women's Glee.

The Vocal Ensemble

The most prestigious choir in the Bexley High School choral program, it is the goal of most members of the choral program to make in into the Vocal Ensemble. Vocal Ensemble performs in the SSAATTBB (Two Soprano, two Alto, two Tenor, and two Bass sections) format. The Vocal Ensemble has been dominant in the recent years in the OMEA competitions since Amy Blosser became the choral director. Competing in the AA category, the highest category, they have received a "Superior" rating (the highest rating possible) the last 5 years at the competitions. Members of The Vocal Ensemble are well known for their dedication to the choir, as most of the members also participate in the Autumn play and the Spring musical. Every year the choir travels on tour to either a place in the country, or as in every three years, they tour overseas. The 2007 tour was to Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 2008 tour was to Chicago. The most recent overseas tour was in the summer of 2006 where the choir traveled to various nations in Europe. The next overseas trip is planned for the summer of 2009.The Vocal Ensemble is not unlike a high school varsity football team in that, after every year they lose a significant amount of members because of graduation. The Men's section of the group has lost a significant amount of their members after the 2006-2007 school year as only one member of both Bass sections remains. Because of this, a large amount of men who were either first or second year members in the 2006-2007 year were accepted as members of The Vocal Ensemble for the upcoming year. Despite these losses, the 2007-2008 Vocal Ensemble still posted unanimous "Superior" ratings at the 2008 state competition. Members of the Vocal Ensemble can range from a second year member who was outstanding in their first year, to third and fourth year choral members. The posting of the members of Vocal Ensemble for the upcoming year is very anticipated by most choir members, and has the possibility of being the highlight of a student's high school career.

Men's Chorus

This extracurricular group is made up of men from the Vocal Ensemble and Symphonic Choir. They sing at school functions and some community events as well. They rehearse at the school on weekends and do not receive high school academic credit for participation in the group.

Band Program

From 1979 to 2007, Jeffrey Schneider was the long-term director of bands at Bexley High School. Following his retirement, the Bexley High School Band is currently under the direction of Andrew Johnson and with newly-hired Assistant Director William Manchester. The band program, while technically one class, is split up into primarily: Marching Band season and Concert Band season. During basketball season at Bexley High is Pep Band, an extension of Concert Band. Along with that, there is the volunteer Jazz Band.

Marching Band

High School Band consists of three separate fields of study starting with the Marching Band during the football season. Students will learn to play various styles of music including rock, pop, funk, and blues while learning to march and play at the same time. Performances include cheering on our victorious Varsity Football team and coaches at home and away Friday night games as well as community holiday parades and ceremonies. Marching Band is a Co-Curricular Board of Education supported class, which follows district policies and students receive a grade for the class. The marching band is also featured in Bexley's 4th of July Parade and Veteran's Day Parade in Downtown Columbus. During the summer, the Marching Band practices and works on marching skills, playing skills, and their first half-time show of the season during Band Camp, which occurs the last week of July/first week of August. Band Camp has been in session since 1970.

Concert Band

Concert Band begins at the conclusion of the football season. Students will learn to play various styles of music and instruments that are not available for Marching Band. Concerts are graded performances, including OMEA Contests, and opportunities for OMEA Solo and Ensemble. The Concert Band is a Co-Curricular, Board of Education supported class where students receive a grade and credit for participation. Students must have participated in the Marching Season or have special permission from the Director to be eligible for participation in the Concert Band.

Pep Band

Pep Band is a rewarding, low stress opportunity to perform for Mens and Women's home Varsity Basketball games. Students will perform various styles of music including rock, pop, funk, and jazz. Pep Band is considered an extension of the Concert Band where performances/attendance are graded. Grades will be based on percentages of participation as it has in previous years.

Jazz Band

Jazz Band meets in the evenings on a volunteer basis. The Jazz Band performs in the evenings, usually on the same evenings as the Concert Band. Musicians will learn to play and listen to various jazz styles and performers. No experience is necessary to join the Jazz Band and most instruments are accepted in the Jazz Band.

Orchestra

Since 2003, Sandra Crandall has been the director of the Bexley High School Orchestra. Orchestra is split up into two classes: Concert Orchestra, which is the entry-level orchestra and Sinfonia Orchestra, which is the highest level performance group in the orchestra program at Bexley. During the summer, is Orchestra Camp (parallel to Band Camp, which occurs at the time) which has been in session since 1975.

Concert Orchestra

The Bexley Concert Orchestra is a high school entry level group. This ensemble concentrates on building the necessary technical skills for an advanced performance level. The class meets daily and is assessed quarterly. Playing tests, class participation, class preparation, home practice and concert attendance are all assessment criteria. Membership is open to all high school students who play stringed instruments. Bexley Concert Orchestra members are encouraged to participate in OMEA solo and ensemble contest and participate in OMEA large group orchestra state contest as an ensemble. Attendance at all performances is required.

Bexley Sinfonia

Bexley Sinfonia is the highest level performance group in the orchestra program. The ensemble performs complex and difficult orchestral literature. The class meets daily and is assessed quarterly. Playing tests, class participation, class preparation, home practice and concert attendance are all assessment criteria. Membership is selective and based upon student audition. Music selection will cover a wide variety of styles. Bexley Sinfonia members are encouraged to participate in OMEA solo and ensemble contest and perform at OMEA large group orchestra state contest. They are also members of the Bexley Full Orchestra. This class requires occasional rehearsals outside of the school day. Two unexcused absences from performances may result in dismissal from the group. Attendance at all performances is required.

Bexley traditions

Bexley alma mater

To Alma Mater Bexley
To Thee our praise we bring
To thee whose hallowed walls we tread
Our toast to thee we sing
Tho' friends and hopes may fade away
Our blue and white will live forever
And as the season swiftly go,
Thy name and praise shall ring.

Bexley honor

(written by Bexley resident Dr. Jules Duga)
Go Bexley Lions down the field
Bring honor to your name
And fight the battle for us all
It's ever onward in the game.
We'll back our team with rousing cheers.
Sound glories to the sky
And win or lose we'll always stay Loyal to Bexley High.
B-E-X-L-E-Y.

Onward Bexley

Onward Bexley, Onward Bexley, fight on for our fame
Send the ball right down the field, a touchdown every time.Rah! Rah! Rah!
Onward Bexley, Onward Bexley fight on for our fame.
Fight lions, fight and win this football game.

Notable alumni

* Jeff Booth, Television Meteorologist KGMB TV
* Judah Folkman, doctor & medical researcher
* Bob Greene, author
* Frank Lesser, television writer
* Josh Radnor, actor
* R. L. Stine, author
* Les Wexner, businessman

Notes and references

External links

* [http://www.bexley.k12.oh.us/hs1/index.htm/ Bexley Website]
* [http://www.bexley.k12.oh.us/ District Website]
* [http://www.ohsaa.org/ Ohio High School Athletics Association]
* [http://www.ode.state.oh.us/reportcardfiles/2005-2006/BUILD/002675.pdf]
* [http://www.bexleymusicparents.org/ Bexley Music Parents]