Franklin County High School (Kentucky)

Infobox_School
name = Franklin County High School


imagesize = 120px
motto =
type = Public
established = 1958
district = Franklin County Public Schools
campus = Small city
grades = 9-12
principal = Sharon Collett
faculty = 83 [cite web | title=Faculty and Staff | publisher=Franklin County High School | url=http://www.franklin.k12.ky.us/fchs/fchsmain/Faculty/faculty.html ]
students = 1,000 [cite web | title=School Profile | publisher=Franklin County High School | url=http://www.franklin.k12.ky.us/fchs/fchsmain/School_Profile/profile.html ]
colors = Navy Blue, White, Gold
nickname = Flyers
newspaper = "Bird Word"
streetaddress = 1100 East Main Street
city = Frankfort
state = KY
zipcode = 40601
coordinates = coord|38.21087|-84.82690|display=inline,title
country = USA
website = [http://franklin.kyschools.us/fchs/fchsmain/index.htm Homepage]
information = [phone]

Franklin County High School is the largest of three public high schools in Frankfort, Kentucky and is one of two high schools operated by Franklin County Public Schools. [cite web | title=School Contact Information | publisher=Franklin County Public Schools | url=http://www.franklin.k12.ky.us/Schools/school_info.html ] The campus also houses the Franklin County Career & Technical Center, which offers vocational training. The principal of the school is Sharon Collett.

History

Franklin County High was opened in the fall of 1958, consolidating Elkhorn and Peaks Mill High Schools.Fact|date=June 2007 Franklin County's namesake is Benjamin Franklin, and the high school's mascot, the Flyer, was chosen in honor of Franklin's kite experiment. The mascot itself is a bird named "Freddie Falcon."Fact|date=June 2007

In 1981, the Franklin County district was split into two high school attendance zones with the opening of Western Hills High School, with Franklin County High now serving primarily the eastern half of the county, including eastern portions of the city of Frankfort. The central part of the city is served by a separate district, Frankfort Independent Schools, which operates the other public high school in the county, Frankfort High School.

The school was renovated in 1998, giving it a new facade, band classroom, administrative offices, and expanded classrooms. Another renovation occurred in 2002 which added a second floor hallway to the foyer, parking lot, new entrance and an updated gymnasium.Fact|date=June 2007

Academics

FCHS offers three diploma choices for students: Enrichment, Academic, and Commonwealth Diplomas. The Enrichment Diploma requires 15.5 core units and 11.5 elective units. The Academic option requires 18.5 core units and 10.5 elective units. Finally, the Commonwealth Diploma is considered "strong college preparatory curriculum" and includes 22 units as well as the completion of four Advanced Placement courses with a C or better. [cite web | title=Diploma Programs | publisher=Franklin County High School | url=http://www.franklin.k12.ky.us/fchs/fchsmain/Academics/diplomaprograms.html ] Students are graded on a 4-point GPA scale. [cite web | title=Grading Scale | publisher=Franklin County High School | url=http://www.franklin.k12.ky.us/fchs/fchsmain/Academics/gradscale.html ]

JROTC

There is an Air Force Junior ROTC Wing at the school. KY-20021 supports the school by providing color guards for home football and basketball games. The color guard has presented flags flown over the capital, for former congressman Ben Chandler at Hearn Elementary, and also participated in the 2007 Inauguration Parade for the current Governor of Kentucky, Steve Beshear.

The rifle exhibition team, started in 2005, has performed for the school, a Kentucky State University football game at halftime, and various elementary schools in the area. A Kitty Hawk Air Society chapter, named the William H. Cornish Chapter, is also in place.

The Cadet Commander is Lt. Col. Tyler Whitt.

Athletics

The school is a member of the Kentucky High School Athletic Association (KHSAA). FCHS offers its students the opportunity to participate in multiple sports:
*Boys and girls:
**Cheerleading (not governed by KHSAA), **Basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, swimming, track and field, tennis
*Boys:
**Baseball, football, wrestling
*Girls:
dance (not governed by KHSAA), softball, volleyballThe athletics program is led by Tracy Spickard. [cite web | title=Flyer Athletics | publisher=Franklin County High School | url=http://www.franklin.k12.ky.us/fchs/fchsmain/Athletics/athleticspage.htm ]

The school's gymnasium, tennis court, football stadium/track, baseball, softball and soccer fields are located behind the school. A training facility with locker rooms and a weight room is found beside the football stadium.

The Flyers' main rivals are the Western Hills Wolverines and the Frankfort Panthers.

The Flyers have a rich history in athletics, with multiple teams and individuals competing for statewide championships through its history.

Team Records

Individual Records

Fight Song

The Franklin County High Fight Song is mostly played at sporting events where the school's band is present, mainly football and basketball games. As the band begins to play the song, fans stand up, clap and sing along with the music.

Lyrics

:: "Fight, fight, fight, blue, white and gold":: "We're going to fly right in and make that goal":: "Hail to the Flyer team, more glory to our name":: "Rah, rah, rah":: "Up, up, way up in the sky":: "To win a Flyer victory":: "For win, lose, we will chose":: "Dear Franklin County High":: "F-C-H-S"cite web | title=Special Requirements | publisher=Franklin County High School | url=http://franklin.k12.ky.us/fchs/fchsmain/Administration/specialrequirements.html ]

Alma Mater

The school's Alma Mater is not as widely known as the fight song and is mainly played at graduation and other scholarly events. The "Avenue of Trees" referenced in the song describes the tall oak trees lining the shared driveway between the school and Elkhorn Middle School from the entrance at East Main Street. However, this entrance was closed and no longer exists because of traffic re-routing. Both schools now have separate entrances to alleviate traffic.

Unlike many high schools which use re-written lyrics to popular college songs, both Franklin County's Fight Song and Alma Mater are original works by the school's first band director, David Livingston.

Lyrics

:: "Our alma mater here's to thee,":: "In our green Avenue of Trees.":: "Standing beneath the eastern sky,":: "To thrill each heart that passes by.":: "In our memory you will be,":: "Ever present and dear to me.":: "Through the years it will be my constant plea,":: "Franklin County Stand by me."

Notable Alumni

* Elizabeth Hulette, better known as the wrestling valet Miss Elizabeth

References