Seminole High School (Pinellas County, Florida)

: "For other schools with the same name, see Seminole High School (disambiguation)."Infobox Secondary school
name = Seminole High School

motto = "Live by the highest you know."
established = 1962
principal = Walter Weller
type = Public
grades = 9–12
city = Seminole
state = Florida
country = USA
enrollment = 2,600
campus = Suburban
mascot = Warhawks
colors = Orange, Green, White
yearbook ="Warrior"
newspaper = "Hawk Talk"
website = [http://www.seminole-hs.pinellas.k12.fl.us/ Seminole High School]

Seminole High School is a public coeducational high school located in Seminole, Florida. It is governed by the Pinellas County School District, led by Dr. Clayton Wilcox (2004-2008). The school's mascot is "Wally the Warhawk". The student population is approximately 2600 students.

History

Prior to the opening of the school in the late summer of 1962, students in what is now known as the Seminole area attended Largo High School or Dixie Hollins High School. With rapid growth in Seminole in the late 1950s and early 1960s, it became necessary for the newly suburban area to have its own high school. The original school consisted of what is now the main building where the administration offices are located and the front cafeteria. The current "Warhawk" stadium was built after a lengthy fundraising drive (Seminole Pow Wow). The auditorium, gymnasium and band facilities were built in later years. The school underwent a significant expansion in 1977 and an extensive remodeling in 1996.

The school is well regarded for its high academic and musical standards and many families choose to purchase homes in the Seminole area because of Seminole High School's fine local reputation.Fact|date=August 2007 During the 2004-2005 school year, it was rated an "A" by the state for its high achievement on the tenth grade FCAT, but the following school year missed consecutive years as an A school by less than 1 percentage point. [ [http://it.pinellas.k12.fl.us/Teachers/heathw/index.html Wally Warhawk ] ] This averaged out to be one person. During the 2006-2007 school year the school grade went back up to an A. [ [http://schoolgrades.fldoe.org/default.asp?action=detail1&cosch=523921&type=3&thisSchoolYear=2006-2007&schoolNumbers=&allSchools=yes&districts=52 School Accountability Report ] ] Nearly 91% of the school's graduates choose to attend a college or university.

Mr. Richard Misenti was named outstanding high school principal of the year by the Florida Association of School Administrators and the Florida Department of Education, He also took top honors in the district and the region for outstanding leadership in 2006. [Lykins, Lorrie. " [http://www.sptimes.com/2006/10/11/Neighborhoodtimes/Seminole_High_princip.shtml| Seminole High principal earns regional honor] ", St. Petersburg Times, 2006-11-10. Retrieved on 2007-08-01. ] After being employed by Pinellas County schools since 1976, [Byrne, Maureen. " [http://www.sptimes.com/News/082201/SouthPinellas/New_principal_brings_.shtml| New principal brings change to Seminole] ", St. Petersburg Times, 2001-08-22. Retrieved on 2007-08-01. ] on June 23, 2007 he announced his retirement in a phone call to all of the parents, students and staff. [Lindberg, Anne. " [http://www.sptimes.com/2007/07/20/Northpinellas/Seminole_principal_ca.shtml| Seminole principal calls it a career] ", St. Petersburg Times, 2007-07-20. Retrieved on 2007-7-30. ] However, he instead became principal of Guilford High School- a public school in Guilford, CT. [King, Rachael. " [http://www.nhregister.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=18824288&BRD=1281&PAG=461&dept_id=7576&rfi=6| Guilford school has 'luckiest principal in the state'] ", New Haven Register, 2007-09-17. Retrieved on 2007-09-19.
Arcive url: [http://www.google.com/search?q=cache:yStoqZ5dO30J:www.nhregister.com/site/news.cfm%3Fnewsid%3D18824288%26BRD%3D1281%26PAG%3D461%26dept_id%3D7576%26rfi%3D6&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=us| Guilford school has 'luckiest principal in the state'] Archive date:2007-9-17

] Walter Weller, one of the assistant principals, replaced Mr. Misenti as Principal. This actually was unofficial until the Aug. 28 School Board meeting or one full week after school started. [Lindberg, Anne. " [http://www.sptimes.com/2007/08/02/Northpinellas/High_school__middle_s.shtml| High school, middle school will have new principals] ", St. Petersburg Times, 2007-08-02. Retrieved on 2007-08-05.]

Athletics

Seminole High School hosts many different kinds of athletic programs. These include Baseball (boys), basketball, cheerleading, cross country, flag football(girls), football, golf, soccer, softball (girls), spring football, swimming, diving, tennis, track, volleyball (girls) and wrestling. [ [http://www.pinellas.k12.fl.us/choice/high/seminole.pdf Seminole.qxp ] ]

occer

During 2003 season the Seminole soccer team won the state champions. [Lee, Laura. " [http://www.sptimes.com/2004/02/25/Neighborhoodtimes/Area_soccer_teams_rea.shtml| Area soccer teams ready to dominate final four] ", St. Petersburg Times, 2004-02-25. Retrieved on 2007-08-01. ] The Boys soccer team at Seminole has a long tradition of excellence. Pinellas County started soccer in the 1980-81 school year. The Seminole boys were District Champions in their first year as a high school sport. The 81-82 team took that success to the top level and won the school's first ever Florida State Championship. These teams laid the foundation for the program at Seminole. That successful tradition continues today. Current coach Rick Masi was part of the Seminole Strikers Soccer Club that provided many of the players in the early years. In summer of 1985, as coach of U-15 Seminole Striker team, his team traveled to Mexico City and team placed first in a tournament. Three years later he coached his U-14 team to the State Championship where legendary defender, and future Seminole High School grad, Jay Love scored the winning goal in a dramatic double overtime victory. Coach Masi has been an instrumental part of soccer in the Seminole community for over 25 years.

Cross Country

The SHS boys cross country team was second in the state in 2000, 2005and in 2006. They placed sixth in 2007.

Baseball

The Seminole Warhawk baseball team won both the state and national title in 2001. [Shelton, Shannon. " [http://www.accessmylibrary.com/premium/0286/0286-8358249.html|Kotchman shaping up as a first-rate catch; senior from Seminole is rated the No. 1 high school baseball player in the nation.] ", The Orlando Sentinel, 2001-04-24. Retrieved on 2007-08-30. ]

Football

Sam Roper has been head coach since 1985. Fred Robinson was Seminole's first and longest serving head coach, from 1962 until 1982. He lead the program to three district titles in the 1970s. Ron Clayback coached two losing seasons from 1982 until 1984.

NFL

During the 2004 NFL season Ryan Fowler became the first player from Seminole High to play in the NFL. Currently him and D'Qwell Jackson are the only players.

Publications

Yearbook

The "Warrior", as of 2008, consists of 440 pages each printed in four color. In 2003 it was the first year book in the district to print four color pages cover to cover. At the time it was under the advisement of Carol Parzik, who retired in 2006. The publication is now under the advisement of Angel Lee. The "Warrior" is published by Taylor Publishing. In 2008 it was the first year with a cover produced from both embossed leather and 4-color lithograph. The run of 1450 copies cost approximately $90,000. The warrior is often confused with neighboring Osceola High School, but it was the name of the yearbook long before the name of a school.

Newspaper

The "Hawktalk".

Music Department

Orchestra

In 2005 The Seminole Middle School Orchestra and Seminole High School Orchestra performed at the All American Music Festival and got a high scoring mark of 217. [ [http://www.allamericanmusicfest.org/past_performances05.htm All American Music Festival - Orlando ] ] In 2006 The Seminole High School Orchestra even played at Carnegie Hall. [Ferguson, Kathy. " [http://www.tbnweekly.com/content_articles/120606_smb-03.txt| SHS orchestra prepares for big time"] , Seminole Beacon, 2006-12-06. Retrieved on 2007-05-29.] The Orchestra also played for the governor, and recently played at the invitation-only event for Disney Honors. [http://disneyyouthgroups.disney.go.com/news/shownews/34]

Chorus and Encore

The Chorus and Encore Group have traveled internationally to completions, including Chicago in 2007.And in Virgina in 2008." [http://www.tbnweekly.com/content_articles/042507_smb-04.txt| Seminole High plans spring choral concert] ", Seminole Beacon, 2007-04-25. Retrieved on 2007-06-08.]

Marching Band

In 2004 the Seminole Warhawk Marching Band were the first marching band in Florida to ever receive the Sulder Shield Award. This award is given to high school marching bands with outstanding achievement and excellence at the international level. [http://www.arts.ufl.edu/MUSIC/newsletter/encore_fall_2006.pdf] They have also been honored by Florida State Representatives. [http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Documents/loaddoc.aspx?FileName=_h9001A__.doc&DocumentType=Bill&BillNumber=9001A&Session=2004A] Also, On January 1, 2005 the marching band along with the color guard played in the world famous Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California. [ [http://www.arts.ufl.edu/MUSIC/newsletter/encore_summer_2004.pdf EncoreSummer2004 ] ] [Ferguson, Kathy. " [http://www.tbnweekly.com/content_articles/011105_smb-01.txt| Students step into national limelight] ", Seminole Beacon, 2005-01-11. Retrieved on 2007-08-26.] [ [http://www.drumcorpsplanet.com/forums/lofiversion/index.php/t61559.html DCP Forums > Tournament of Roses Parade ] ] In 2006 The Seminole Warhawk Marching Band won the division for the largest bands and won the overall highest score in the 25-school finals in the Florida Marching Band Coalition’s Florida State Band Championship.McClure, Bob. " [http://www.tbnweekly.com/pubs/seminole_beacon/content_articles/122006_smb-05.txt| Seminole Marching Band adds state crown to list] ", Seminole Beacon, 2006-12-20. Retrieved on 2007-08-26.]

A more complete list of the accomplishments of the Seminole High School band program can be found here: [http://www.seminolewarhawkband.com Seminole High School official band page]

Wind Ensemble

The Members of Seminole High School Wind Ensemble have performed with the Florida All State bands and orchestras, BOA Honor Band and Orchestra [http://www.bands.org/public/events/ncbf/hboa_07members.asp?section=4] and competed in the 2007 Boston Festival of Gold at Boston Symphony Hall

ymphonic Band

The Symphonic Band is also a high achieving band, receiving consistent superiors at District Festival.

Jazz Band

Alumni

*Ryan Fowler, linebacker for the Tennessee Titans
*D'Qwell Jackson, linebacker for the Cleveland Browns
*Casey Kotchman, first baseman for the Atlanta Braves
*Greg Jones, Relief Pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
*Jeff Darlington, ESPN contributor and Sports Writer for The Miami Herald
*Bobby Wilson, catcher for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

Principals

*Mr. Stanley Moore (1962-1965)
*Dr. Scott Rose (1965-1970); Pinellas County Schools Superintendent (1981-1991)
*Mr. Don Van Fleet (1970-1971)
*Mr. Fred Rozelle (1971-1979)
*Mr. Bob Kalach (1979-1980)
*Mr. Bruce McMillan (1980-1984)
*Mr. Curt Geer (1984-1992)
*Mr. Richard Duncan (1992-2001)
*Mr. Richard Misenti (2001-2007); Now principal for Guilford High School in Guilford, Connecticut.
*Mr. Walter Weller (2007-)

References

External links

* [http://www.seminole-hs.pinellas.k12.fl.us/ Seminole High School] Official Seminole High School Web site
* [http://www.seminolewarhawkband.com Seminole Warhawk Band] Official Seminole High School band Web site
* [http://www.seminolewarhawksbaseball.com/ Seminole Warhawks Baseball] Official Seminole Warhawks Baseball Website
* [http://www.pinellas.k12.fl.us/ PCSB] Pinellas County School Board Official Web site