Parkersburg South High School (also, just "South") in Parkersburg, West Virginia, United States serves grades 9 through 12, and is part of the Wood County School District.
The school's colors are navy blue and white (with a touch of scarlet), and the mascot is a Patriot. The school's principal is Tom Eschbacher. As of the 2007-2008 school year, the school has 1,623 students. The Wood County School District has 13,746 students in 29 schools.
Parkersburg South High School
| Established | 1967 |
|---|---|
| School type | Public Comprehensive |
| Principal | Tom Eschbacher |
| Location | Parkersburg, WV, USA |
| Enrollment | 1,623 |
| Faculty | 120 |
| Mascot | Patriot |
| Colors | Navy Blue, White, and Red |
Feeder schools are Edison Middle [Jr. High] School and Blennerhasset Middle [Jr. High] School. Historically, Franklin Junior High School was also a feeder school, but a consolidation of the junior high system in 1997 lead to its revamping as Franklin Elementary Center. Current business partners include Sabic Innovative Plastics and Community Antenna Services (CAS). [1]
Parkersburg South High School has received many awards of excellence for academics. For many years, Parkersburg South has maintained its status as a WV School of Excellence, as well as being the only high school in Wood County to pass the "No Child Left Behind" criteria. In 1989, Parkersburg South was named a WV Exemplary School by the WV Board of Education. In 1992, Parkersburg South was named a Blue Ribbon School by the WV Department of Education.[1] Parkersburg South High School has also been very successful in academic extracurricular activities. PSHS was two time defending state champion in policy debate in 2004 and 2005. PSHS has also had great success with other forms of debate, such as parliamentary and Lincoln-Douglas, as well as with the Forensic Speech team. Both the Forensics, and Debate teams have produced state finalists and champions. PSHS consistently performs above state average on the West Virginia Educational Standards Test.[2]
Parkersburg South has very successful sporting programs and has had many all state athletes, individual state champions, and team championships throughout its history. Parkersburg South athletics is known mostly for its wrestling, track, and cross country dynasties. Parkersburg South was AAA state champion in wrestling 15 years, as well as runner up 7 years[3]. From 1980 through 1984 South won boys cross country titles four of the five years and track titles in 1985 and 1988 respectively. Additionally Parkersburg South women's basketball, football, and women's soccer teams won their state titles in 2008, 2003, and 2003 respectively. In 2008, Parkersburg, as a community, earned runner up in ESPN's Titletown competition.
One of the largest high schools in the state of West Virginia, the school lacked a home stadium for many sporting events until a community effort begun in August 1993. [2] Local businessman and philanthropist, Charlie Erickson spearheaded the effort with a contribution of 18 acres (73,000 m2) of land and $300,000. [3] The Erickson All-Sports Facility is managed by the EASF Development Corporation and is home to Parkersburg South football, soccer, tennis, and track. There are also plans to build a baseball field within the facility.
The school is under renovation starting in the Summer of 2005. The renovations themselves were to make Parkersburg South a more "connected" school, as the previous design had multiple buildings. It was also due to security, as there were over forty ways to enter Parkersburg South in one building alone. These renovations will attempt to fix these problems, as well as to make the school more modern and accommodating.
The school was 75% done as of 10/13/07. As of 08/26/08, the school is arguably complete. A few renovations need to continue such as installing tile in some areas, but the overall construction is complete and the construction equipment is no longer present on the premises.
Instrumental department The Parkersburg South Patriot Band is a prestigious award-winning band. With professional level quality in its marching band, symphonic band, and jazz ensemble, Parkersburg South has been able to win numerous awards in its existence. In recent years, the bands' awards have consisted of:
Superior rating - 2007 WV Southern Regional Jazz Festival
Superior rating - 2008 WV Southern Regional Jazz Festival (outstanding saxophone soloist - Cody McPherson)
Superior rating - 2007 WV Region V Concert Band Festival
Superior rating - 2008 WV Region V Concert Band Festival
2007 Williamstown Festival of Marching Bands - Runner-up Grand Champions
2007 Ripley Marching Band Vikingfest - Runner-up Grand Champions
2008 Oil and Gas Marching Band Competition - Runner-up Grand Champions in Parade, and Overall
2008 Sissonville Marching Band Invitational - Grand Champions
2008 Ripley Marching Band Vikingfest - 2nd Runner-up Grand Champions
The Instrumental department is under the direction of Mr. Luke D. Zyla.
Choral department The Parkersburg South High School Choral Department has been creating musical excellence since the school’s inception in the fall of 1967. Eric Roth, a young music educator began building the choral program at Parkersburg South High School. The Patriot Chorus (now formally known as the Concert Choir) and the Women’s Chorus began performing for local and state events.
Following Eric Roth, directors Mr. Matheny and Bev Roney were instrumental in continuing to build a foundation of musical excellence. In the fall of 1974, Daniel B. Thomas created the Lords and Ladies of Parkersburg South High School: The Madrigal Singers. The Madrigal Singers became a popular group throughout the Mid-Ohio Valley and across the state of West Virginia. The Madrigal Singers presented Renaissance music at its highest quality by striving to recreate the time period through costuming and sound.
In the fall of 1996, Pamela McClain began the Chamber Ensemble to add another avenue of musicianship at Parkersburg South. With all three performing groups at Parkersburg South, the Choral Department had traveled throughout much of the eastern United States and Canada receiving superior marks from adjudicators and winning numerous awards. The Parkersburg South High School choral department remains very active throughout the school year and sings for various functions throughout the community.
In 2004, Ms. Melissa R. Life became the sixth director at the high school and has vowed to keep the tradition of musical excellence alive and well. In 2008, the Parkersburg South Choral Department now includes, along with the concert and chamber choirs, and the madrigal singers, a new freshman chorus (due to the integration of the 9th grade in the high school system), and a women's chorus, Bella Voce. In the spring, Ms. Life is preparing a men's chorus as well.
Awards received: 1997: Heritage Festivals Competition in Washington, D.C. (under the direction of Mrs. Pamela McClain)
1st Place, Gold Rating -- Concert Choir
1st Place, Gold Rating -- Madrigal Singers
1st Place, Gold Rating -- Chamber Ensemble
1998: Performing Arts Consultants Festival: Myrtle Beach, SC (under the direction of Mrs. Pamela McClain)
1st Place, Gold Rating -- Mixed Chorus
1st Place, Gold Rating -- Madrigal Singers
2nd Place, Gold Rating -- Chamber Ensemble
1999: Heritage Festivals Competition in Nashville, Tennessee (under the direction of Mrs. Pamela McClain)
1st Place, Gold Rating -- Mixed Chorus
1st Place, Gold Rating -- Chamber Ensemble
1st Place, Gold Rating -- Madrigal Singers
Adjudicators Award Trophies for Mixed Chorus and Chamber Ensemble
Choral Sweepstakes Award Trophy
2001: Heritage Festival Competition in Toronto, Canada (under the direction of Mrs. Pamela McClain)
1st Place, Gold Rating -- Mixed Chorus
1st Place, Gold Rating -- Madrigal Singers
1st Place, Gold Rating -- Chamber Ensemble
Adjudicators Award Trophies for Mixed Chorus and Chamber Ensemble
2002: Heritage Festivals Competition in New York City, New York (under the direction of Mrs. Pamela McClain)
1st Place, Gold Rating -- Chamber Ensemble
1st Place, Gold Rating -- Madrigal Singers
2nd Place, Gold Rating -- Mixed Chorus
Adjudicators Award Trophies for Chamber Ensemble and Madrigal Singers
2003: Heritage Festivals Competition in Gatlinburg, Tennessee (under the direction of Mrs. Pamela McClain)
1st Place, Gold Rating -- Chamber Ensemble
1st Place, Gold Rating -- Madrigal Singers
1st Place, Gold Rating -- Concert Choir
Adjudicators Award Trophies for Chamber Ensemble and Concert Choir
2004: Heritage Festivals Competition in Washington, D.C. (under the direction of Mrs. Pamela McClain)
1st Place, Gold Rating -- Chamber Ensemble
1st Place, Gold Rating -- Madrigal Singers
1st Place, Gold Rating -- Concert Choir
Adjudicators Award Trophies for Chamber Ensemble and Concert Choir
Choral Sweepstakes award trophy
2005: Heritage Festivals Competition in Chicago, Illinois (under the direction of Ms. Melissa R. Life)
1st Place, Gold Rating -- Chamber Ensemble
1st Place, Gold Rating -- Madrigal Singers
2nd Place, Gold Rating -- Mixed Chorus
2005: Music in the Parks Competition in Sandusky, Ohio (under the direction of Ms. Melissa R. Life)
1st Place, Gold Rating -- Concert Choir
Adjudicators Award Trophy for having two perfect scores from the judges
2006: Heritage Festivals Competition in Toronto, Canada (under the direction of Ms. Melissa R. Life)
1st Place, Gold Rating -- Mixed Chorus
1st Place, Gold Rating -- Chamber Ensemble
1st Place, Gold Rating -- Madrigal Singers
Adjudicators Award Trophies for Chamber Ensemble and for Mixed Chorus
Choral Sweepstakes Award Trophies
2007: Heritage Festivals Competition in Myrtle Beach, SC (under the direction of Ms. Melissa R. Life)
1st Place, Gold Rating -- Concert Choir
1st Place, Gold Rating -- Chamber Ensemble
1st Place, Gold Rating -- Madrigal Singers
Adjudicators Award Trophies for Chamber Ensemble and Madrigal Singers
Choral Sweepstakes Award Trophies
Spirit of Myrtle Beach Award
2008: West Virginia Music Educators Association High School Honors Group -- Performed for WVMEA Conference - Wheeling, WV
2008: Heritage Festivals Competition in Atlanta, GA (under the direction of Ms. Melissa R. Life)
1st Place, Gold Rating -- Chamber Ensemble
1st Place, Gold Rating -- Madrigal Singers
1st Place, Gold Rating -- Mixed Chorus
Adjudicators Award Trophies for Chamber Ensemble and Mixed Chorus
Choral Sweepstakes Award
2008: Music in the Parks Competition in Pittsburgh, PA (under the direction of Ms. Melissa R. Life)
1st Place, Gold Rating -- Concert Choir
1st Place, Gold Rating -- Chamber Ensemble
2009: Music in the Parks Competition in Cincinnati, OH (under the direction of Ms. Melissa R. Life)
1st Place, Gold Rating -- Concert Choir
1st Place, Gold Rating -- Chamber Ensemble
1st Place, Gold Rating -- Bella Voce Women's Ensemble
1st Place, Gold Rating -- Madrigal Singers
Outstanding Choral Group Award for the Madrigal Singers
2010: Heritage Festivals Competition in Nashville, TN (under the direction of Ms. Melissa R. Life)
TBA ---
2010: Music in the Parks Competition in Sandusky, OH *Cedar Point (under the direction of Ms. Melissa R. Life)
TBA ---
