Eastside High School (Taylors, South Carolina)

Infobox Secondary school
name = Eastside High School
motto = Strength Through Human Understanding
city = Taylors
state = South Carolina
country = USA
general location = Taylors, SC
address = 1300 Brushy Creek Road
type = Public coeducational secondary
principal = Dr. John Tharp
grades = 9–12
established = 1970
students = approx. 1222
mascot = Eagle
colors = Blue and Gold
website = http://www.greenville.k12.sc.us/eastside/index.asp

Eastside High School is a high school located in Taylors, a suburb of Greenville, South Carolina.

It is a public school under jurisdiction of the Greenville County School District.

=History [cite web|url=http://www.greenville.k12.sc.us/eastside/aboutus/ehistory.asp|title=Eastside High School Eagle History|work=Eastside HS|accessdate=April 12|accessyear=2008] =

Eastside first opened its doors to 650 students in August 1970. The students came from nearby Wade Hampton, Lincoln, Greer, and J. L. Mann high schools. Eastside's first student body was welcomed, and the faculty shared their vision of a strong, united, spirited, and comprehensive community high school whose students could realize their goals and reach their full potential. During its first year, Eastside established school colors of royal blue and gold, chose the eagle as its mascot, decided upon its motto, printed its first school newspaper (The Eagle's Cry), and began its first yearbook (Aurea Aquila). Eastside also formed its chapter of the National Honor Society and began its marching band (without uniforms).

By 1973, Eastside's student body had doubled in size; the building had also been enlarged to accommodate this growth. By 1977, athletics had become the focus for school spirit and pride. The football team, under the direction of John Carlisle, won Eastside's first state championship. J. Brodie Bricker, Eastside's fourth principal, established the slogan "PRIDE OF THE UPCOUNTRY" to designate Eastside's achievements.

The 1980s saw Eastside's student population increase to over 1400. Dr. Alexia Latimer established the first computer lab in the School District of Greenville County. Natural Helpers, a national peer counseling organization, was established as the first in Greenville County as well as in South Carolina. In 1987, Eastside was entered in the Guinness Book of World Records for the world's largest car wash (over 1000 cars in a single day). The Pledge of Allegiance became customary in 1988.

The 1990s witnessed the reconstruction of Eastside's football stadium and also ushered in the concept of Site-Based Management. The school also celebrated its twenty-fifth anniversary. During the 2004-2005 school year, preparation began for the construction of a brand-new building, which was finished just in time for students arriving in 2007. With a new principal in 2006, Eastside is now almost unrecognizable.

In 2006, Eastside's stadium was named after retiring head coach John Carlisle. Carlisle had presided over the team for more than 30 years, and held the title of Greenville County's winningest football coach.

Principals

Eastside has had 11 principals since its inception almost 38 years ago. [cite web|url=http://www.greenville.k12.sc.us/eastside/aboutus/ehistory.asp|title=Eastside High School Eagle History|work=Eastside HS|accessdate=April 12|accessyear=2008]
*Mr. John Durr: 1970-1973
*Mr. Eddie Jones: 1973-1975
*Dr. Leonard Pellicer: 1975-1977
*Mr. J. Brodie Bricker: 1977-1987
*Mrs. Betty Workman: 1987-1988
*Dr. Lacy Wilkins: 1988-1993
*Mr. Ken Peake: 1993-1995
*Mr. Dave Quick: 1995-1998
*Mr. Buddy Blackmon: 1998-2000
*Mrs. Sheryl Taylor (interim): 2000-2006
*Dr. John Tharp: 2006-

Athletics

Eastside High School's teams have won 24 state championships: [cite web|url=http://www.eastsideathletics.com/links/adlinks/championships.htm|title=Eastside High School Athletic Championships|work=Eastside Athletics|accessdate=April 12|accessyear=2008]
*Cheerleading: 1996, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2004
*Football: 1977
*Boys Cross Country: 1987, 1988
*Boys Soccer: 1983, 1985, 1986, 2005
*Girls Soccer: 1998, 2000, 2003, 2007
*Girls Tennis: 1980
*Wrestling: 2000, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008Eastside has also won 21 upper state championships and 99 region championships. [cite web|url=http://www.eastsideathletics.com/links/adlinks/championships.htm|title=Eastside High School Athletic Championships|work=Eastside Athletics|accessdate=April 13|accessyear=2008]

Clubs

Eastside has many clubs and societies students can join, several of which are unique to the school. These include: [cite web|url=http://www.greenville.k12.sc.us/eastside/students/clubs.asp|title=Eastside High School Clubs and Organizations|work=Eastside HS|accessdate=April 12|accessyear=2008]
*Beta Club
*Central Spirit
*Chamber Orchestra
*Dance Team
*FCA
*First Priority
*Key Club
*Multicultural Awareness Club
*National Honor Society
*Natural Helpers
*Newspaper (Eagle's Cry)
*Sierra Club
*Spanish Honor Society
*Step Team
*Student Government
*Yearbook (Aurea Aquila)
*Youth in Government
*Young Life

External links

* [http://www.greenville.k12.sc.us/eastside Eastside High School Website]

References