Oscar F. Smith High School

Oscar F. Smith High School
Address
1994 Tiger Drive Chesapeake, Virginia, 23320 United States
Information
School type	Public high school
Founded	1954
School district	Chesapeake City Public Schools
Superintendent	Dr. W. Randolph Nichols
Grades	9-12
Enrollment	2,171  (2008-09)
Language	English
Campus	Suburban
Color(s)	Royal Blue, Gold, White ███
Athletics conference	Virginia High School League AAA Eastern Region Southeastern District
Mascot	Tigers
Rival	Indian River High School Deep Creek High School
Website	Official Site

Oscar Frommel Smith High School was originally built in South Norfolk, Virginia, to replace the aging South Norfolk High School in 1954. In 1994, a new school was constructed in the Greenbrier/Great Bridge area of Chesapeake, Virginia, and has a current enrollment of over 2,100 students. OSHS was authorized to begin administering the IB Diploma Program by the International Baccalaureate Organization in 2002 and IB students from all six Chesapeake zones feed into it.

Facilities

One of the newest schools in the Chesapeake City Public Schools, it houses some of the newest technology in the district, including numerous networked computer, business, and technology labs; a 1,000-seat auditorium; and the Linda P. Overton Theatre, which houses technology for student presentations. The 3,850-seat J. William Myers Gymnasium (also known as the "Dollar Dome" gym), is one of the largest gyms in the Hampton Roads area, housing three full basketball courts. The Beard-DeLong-Easley Field stadium, named in honor of three Oscar Smith alumni who went on to play in the NFL, seats 7,000 and is the current home of the Oscar Smith Tigers football team.

Athletics

Oscar Smith football started excelling in 2004 and 2005, winning the Southeastern District both years. The Tiger's football program was led by quarterback Greg Boone, runningback Andre Cook, and Coach Morgan.

Oscar Smith High School has an excellent football program. Under the guidance of Coach Richard Morgan, the Tigers have been Southeastern District Champions for seven years in a row, and have lost only two regular season games in 7 years. In 2004, Oscar Smith High celebrated its 50th anniversary, and the Tigers provided the excitement by posting an undefeated season and winning the Southeastern District Championship. In 2005, the Tigers had a repeat performance, claiming back-to-back district championships. In 2007, the Tigers won the Eastern Region title for the first time, avenging their loss against Salem High School from 2006, and moving on to the State semi-finals. There, the team suffered a loss to Westfield High School, but would come back and get to the same spot during the 2008 season. This time, a hard-fought 10-7 victory over Oakton High School with kicker Ryan Trotman kicking a field goal in the closing minutes of the game to win the game. Oscar Smith advanced to the Division 6 state finals against Osbourne High School. This game, held at Virginia Tech, was one of the most memorable state final games ever. Oscar Smith posted 54 points, triumphing 54-24 in a game played in the cold and snow. Quarterback Phillip Sims set a state final record with 6 touchdown passes, as did wide receiver Tim Smith with 4 touchdown receptions. This team is still ranked in the top 10 in the nation on most, if not all, polls. On August 28, 2009, Oscar Smith was rewarded for their excellent performance with a primetime game at home against Venice High School of Florida on ESPNU in which Sims, an Alabama commit and one of the top recruited quarterbacks for 2010, faced off against Trey Burton, another excellent quarterback for 2010 who now plays for Florida. The Oscar Smith Tigers won this game, 27-13.

2008 Virginia State Football Champions

Following another undefeated regular season and winning their fifth district title in as many years, the Tigers marched into the playoffs as a dominant force, consistently ranked No. 1 in the state and breaking into the Top 10 in national rankings. On November 29, 2008, the Tigers defeated Oakton to advance to the state championship game. The following Saturday, on a cold and snowy December afternoon in Blacksburg, Virginia, the Tigers exploded into Virginia Tech's Lane Stadium and continued their dominant ways, shutting out the Osbourn Eagles in the first half and emerging victorious with a final score of 54-24. The Tigers could be heard ringing their victory bell in the wee hours after their return home early Sunday morning, bringing with them the first team state championship for Oscar Smith High School in any sport since the school opened in 1954.

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2009 Virginia State Football Semifinals

Oscar Smith lost 17-20 in overtime against the Thomas Dale High School Knights, ending their undefeated run.

Orchestra

Earning a reputation for excellence during the past eleven years, the Oscar Smith High School Orchestras have grown from forty eight members to over one hundred members. The orchestras have earned top awards at music festivals in Virginia, Georgia, Maryland, Florida, New York and Indiana and have consistently earned superior ratings at the VBODA/VMEA District IV Orchestra Festival.

The Oscar F. Smith High School Chamber Orchestra earned a standing ovation for its outstanding performance as the final orchestra performance of the 2005 Virginia Music Educators Association(VMEA) In-Service Conference. They have also performed by invitation at the 2007 National Band & Orchestra Festival in Carnegie Hall, the 2008 Music for All National "Orchestra America" Festival in Indianapolis and the 2009 ASTA National Orchestra Festival in Atlanta (as a part of the American String Teachers Association's National 'ASTA' Conference).

IB Program

The International Baccalaureate, or IB program, offered at OSHS is a great opportunity for students who love to learn. It is an academically challenging and balanced program of education that mixes the learning of life skills with global awareness, with final examinations that prepare students for success at university and in life.

Politics

On August 21, 2008, Barack Obama held a Town Hall Meeting in the J William Myers gymnasium as part of his 2008 Presidential Campaign. In 2004, John Kerry held a similar event in the gym as well.

Notable alumni

• Ed Beard: San Francisco 49ers, player from 1965–1972
• Steve DeLong: San Diego Chargers, player from 1965–1972
• Kenny Easley: Seattle Seahawks, player from 1981–1987
• Richard Mott: Pittsburgh Pirates, player 1981 - 1985
• Clinton Day: Naval Special Warfare Combatant-Craft Crewmen (SWCCs)2003-2006
• Greg Boone: [[Arena football player}],2011-present
• Crystal Woodley: Professional Basketball Player in Europe, 2009- Present

References

1. ^ http://hamptonroads.com/2008/12/football-oscar-smith-cruises-state-div-6-championship

External links

• Oscar F. Smith High School website

Coordinates: 36°44′25″N 76°15′22″W / 36.74035°N 76.25617°W / 36.74035; -76.25617