Albany High School (Albany, Georgia)

Albany High School is a four-year secondary school located in Albany, Georgia. It is a part of the Dougherty County School System. The school educates students in grades 9-12. Infobox Secondary school
name = Albany High School


established = 1886
campus = Suburban
type = Public Secondary
city = Albany
state = Georgia
country = United States
students = 848
grades = 9–12
oversight = Dougherty County School System
mascot = Indians and Squaws
colors = Green and orange
motto = You just can't hide
that Indian pride
newspaper = "The PowWow"
yearbook = "Thronateeska"
free_label_2 = Distinctions
free_2 = A Georgia School of Excellence
website = [http://www.dougherty.k12.ga.us/albany%5Fhigh/ www.dougherty.k12.ga.us/albany_high/]
principal = Sheila Marshall

Albany High School was established in 1886 after H. M. McIntosh, editor of the "Albany News and Advertiser", initiated a campaign and to raise the funds necessary to erect the school. It was the first high school established within the county.

Approximately two years after the school opened it, was destroyed by a fire of unknown origin. Classes were temporarily held in the town courthouse while the academy was rebuilt. Student enrollment rapidly increased during the first two decades, leading to overcrowding, so the school expanded, and eventually a new high school building was built in 1908. This building contained ten classrooms, and was located at the intersection of Monroe Street and Society Avenue. In 1925, the high school moved to another building located at 1000 North Jefferson Street. The school shifted to its current building on Residence Avenue in the fall of 1954. In the fall of 1999, a Magnet Honors Program was added to the curriculum of Albany High. [http://albanyhightimes.com/]

chool Athletics

The school encourages its students to engage in as many athletic teams as possible, as long as the student keeps a recommended grade point average.

Basketball

The school's men's basketball team, the school's most popular athletic division, has been coached by Archie Chatmon for more than 25 years, during which time he accrued a winning percentage of 61.3.OVERALL, but things are going to change this year for the albany high indians.

Football

The football program is coached by Reginald Mitchell, who has a long history in football. He began his career by winning two 5-A state football championships with Valdosta High as an assistant coach. Mitchell then entered a few internships at small colleges, which led to his acceptance as assistant defensive-backs coach for the Baltimore Ravens. Afterward, he moved to Albany and became Dougherty Comprehensive High School's defensive coordinator. The team went to the State 3-A Championship game before losing to Peach County. After that, in 2006, Mitchell coached at Albany High. From 2006 through 2007, Albany High's teams went 0-20. The team has a young linebacker coach in Grady Vance, quarterback coach in Zavier Mathis, and defensive backs coach in Ivory Williams, all of whom the school hopes will lead the team to success.

Baseball

The Albany High baseball team is looking for a new coach after Tom Rosati stepped down after 21 years to become an assistant coach at New Mexico State University. Albany's baseball squad, which regularly seeds for the playoffs is coming off a 5-19 season.

occer

The soccer program is Albany's second most popular spring sport. The boy's club was coached by Jack Chitty in 2008, after coaching the girl's team for 5 years. Chitty is also the football program's special teams coach.

Tennis

Albany High's tennis program is also popular.

chool stadium

Hugh Mills Stadium is the stadium used by all four public high schools: Albany High Indians, Dougherty High Trojans, Monroe High Tornadoes, and Westover High Patriots football and track teams. Hugh Mills Stadium is also the host of the girl's state track meet for all five GHSA classifications. When it was constructed, the stadium was dedicated to Hugh M. Mills, the school's principal from 1923-1925. The stadium is located near Albany High School at 601 North Van Buren Street.

As of 2008, Albany High is the only school in the Dougherty County School System to have an on-site football stadium; because of this, all the high schools in Dougherty County use Hugh Mills as a home field. To alleviate confusion during games between schools, signs are posted at each of the entrance gates to designate the home team. If three schools have home games on the same weekend games are played Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights.

Extracurricular activities

*Academic Decathlon
*Art Club The Art Club is involved in many community projects including the Kiwanis Club art show and the Martin Luther King, Jr. art show. The Art Club assists in readying the art projects for shows and meets several times each year.
*Band The AHS band consists of both the Marching and Concert bands. During the fall, the "Marching Chiefs" participate in the halftime show of every AHS football game,compete in marching competitions, and the annual Christmas parade. In the spring, the concert band engages in competitions with other bands in the Southeast.
*Beta Club Throughout the year the Beta Club sponsors the Miss AHS Pageant and the Beta Club Scholarships. In order to be a member of the Beta Club, one must maintain a "B" average. [http://www.betaclub.org/ National Beta Club]
*Block A. This group contains those students who have earned a letter for sports agility and musical or academic ability.
*Chorus
*DECAMembers of DECA learn helpful marketing and career objectives and research different marketing areas such as retail or hospitality management in order to compete in regional, state, and international competitions.
*Drama Club The Drama Club is involved in the One-Act Play Competition Festival. The Masquers are also anticipating producing a spring production. Other projects on the itinerary are community oriented, geared to entertaining the elderly and youth during special holidays.
*Dream Weavers This club maintains the AHS webpage, updating activities for classes and organizations.
*Excel Club This community-oriented service organization is involved in projects such as collecting food donations at Thanksgiving and Christmas and working in conjunction with the Albany Exchange Club at the fair.
*FCA. The Fellowship for Christian Athletes (or better know today as The Fellowship of Christian Students) provides Christian fellowship opportunities. FCA meets on Tuesday mornings for prayer and devotionals. The group also meets periodically at the flag pole for prayer. In addition, the club is involved with the Salvation Army.
*FCCLA The Family, Career and Community Leaders of America group is involved in leadership training and Power of One, as well as personal development training and competition.
*Future Business Leaders of America
*French Club
*HOSA The Health Occupations Students of America, the official organization of HST students around the country, teaches the importance of dedication, leadership, and works with the community to improve health awareness. [http://www.hosa.org HOSA]
*Japanese Club Organized to expand students' awareness of Japanese language and culture, the Japanese Club has sponsored several Japanese festivals. The club is an offshoot of SERCE (Satellite Education Resources Consortium). Classes are conducted through TV instruction and phone conferences.
*JGG Jobs for Georgia's Graduates is a school-to-work transition program for seniors. JGG prepares students for the world of work and/or higher education. [http://www.jag.org/georgia]
*Key Club
*Literary Team. This team seeks to promote an interest in dramatic interpretation, spelling, extemporaneous speaking, writing, and singing (solo and trio). The team represents the school at the regional and state literary competitions.
*Math Team This team is made up of students who excel in their current mathematics courses. Every month their students meet to take a six question test which is scored statewide. Selected members compose the team which competes on the regional and state level. Some of the competitions are held at Darton College and Georgia Southwestern State University.
*Mock Trial
*OrchestraThe orchestra students practice and perform with the Dougherty County Youth Symphony Orchestra at different concerts throughout the year.
*PowWow Student newspaper
*Short Circuits This club organizes props, lighting, and sound for pageants, dance recitals, band recitals, and assemblies. The President of Short Circuits is Elizabeth Myler and the Vice President is Chris Rowe. The Secretary is Siddhant Desai. The sponsor of Short Circuit is Mr. Wiley.
*Spanish Club The Spanish Club promotes interest in studying Spanish-speaking language and culture. The club participates in the Light the Night Leukemia Walk, Adopt-a-Family for Thanksgiving Dinner, and other various service projects.
*Student Advisory Council The Student Advisory Council, which consists of all the presidents of school organizations, provides assistance and advice to clubs and organizations when problems arise. This group works under the leadership of the principal.
*Student Council The Council voices the views of the students on many issues, including the promotion of school spirit, good student relations, community service and the democratic process. Student Council sponsors Homecoming week activities, several blood drives and many other activities.
*TASCO The Teenage Support Council consists of teens helping people through difficult times. Throughout the year, TASCO promotes communications to help those teens who struggle from day to day. TASCO sponsors Red Ribbon Week, Asthma Walk, and Toys for Tots. They work with their community group "Lung Association." TASCO's motto is, "We're ears to our peers."
*VICA Vocational Industrial Clubs Of America. VICA was a work study program that allowed students to have part-time jobs and get graded for their work performance by their supervisors. Also, students were to leave school early as long as they maintained a job..

chool traditions

Events

*Annual Day Annuals, or yearbooks are distributed during the month of May at an assembly at which the annual is dedicated. On this date, students are given the opportunity to sign other student's annuals during most classes.
*Awards Day During the spring an awards program is planned to present academic awards and some scholarships. This is an evening affair to which recipients of awards and their parents are invited. Refreshments are served following the program.
*Class Day At Albany High, Class Day is a right of passage for graduating seniors. At Class Day, the student body of AHS assembles in the auditorium. The ceremonies of Class Day include an extravagant entrance and exit of seniors, presentations of select speakers, and senior skits. Near the end of the Class Day, the juniors are allowed to move from the "junior section" to the "senior section", as a sort of "graduation" from 11th grade to the coveted 12th grade.
*Homecoming Week Every day of the week a special theme is seen throughout the school. On Friday of homecoming week, there is the traditional homecoming football game. At this game, homecoming court is introduced at halftime or after the game. On Saturday night, the traditional homecoming dance occurs, at which the queen and king are announced based on votes from the student body.
*Miss AHS Pageant Candidates for the pageant must be a junior or senior. The Beta Club sponsors the contest annually during the fall. Each club nominates a girl who represents it in a contest. Miss AHS reigns over the school the rest of the year. Proceeds from the contest are used for scholarships sponsored by the Beta Club.
*Mr. AHS Pageant A new tradition at the school, this event is similar to the Miss AHS pageant except that the contestants are males. The first pageant took place in March 2007. The contestants are sponsored by TASCO and the winner receives a $100 scholarship (also presented by TASCO), and the title "Mr. AHS".
*Senior Week During this week the seniors are congratulated and rewarded for their hard work throughout their high school career. Senior bowling night, the senior picnic and the senior breakfast are just some of the events that cater to seniors at Albany High. Class Day ends Senior week.

Alma mater

(To the tune of "You're a Grand Old Flag")

You're a grand old school
You're the school that we love
And forever in honor we'll hold,
Alma mater dear,
We you revere,
The boast of the brave and the bold.
Every heart beats true,
One for all we're for you,
And your memory we e'er shall bless:
For should "Auld Acquaintance" be forgot,
Here's to you dear old AHS.

Faculty

There are 51 teachers at Albany High, resulting in a student-teacher ratio of 15:1

Notable alumni

* Paula Deen, chef and host of "Paula's Home Cooking" on the Television Food Network; [http://www.zooscape.com/cgi-bin/maitred/WhitePulp/isbn0743224841] [http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbninquiry.asp?ean=9780743224840&pwb=1&displayonly=EXC]
* Jim Fowler, animal expert and host of the quadruple Emmy Award-winning wildlife television show, Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom [http://www.ovictormiller.com/Spared%20Rods%20and%20Spoiled%20Children.htm]
* Edward "Skip" Gnehm, United States ambassador to Jordan, Australia and Kuwait and visiting professor at The George Washington University; [http://www.camdenconference.org/conference2005/speakers/Gnehm.html] [http://64.233.167.104/search?q=cache:TPm-XCCk5KkJ:www.ajc.com/news/content/news/atlanta_world/0103/29jordan.html+Gnehm+%2B%22Albany+High%22&hl=en]
* Ray Stevens, American country music singer. [http://www.nashvillesongwritersfoundation.com/fame/stevens.html]

References

*Marshall, Sheila Principal of Albany High School.
*National Center for Education Statistics School Profile: Albany High School. 2003. National Center for Education Statistics. 7 May 2005 [http://nces.ed.gov]
*Thronateeska 2005. Volume 86. Albany, Georgia: Albany High School, 2005. 1-192.
*Thronateeska Heritage Center [http://www.heritagecenter.org/index.html]
*Whatley, Dr. Sally. Superintendent of the Dougherty County system school

External links

* [http://albanyhightimes.com/ Albany High Times] —Alumni website
* [http://www.docoschools.org/albany%5Fhigh/ Albany High Website]