Albany High School (Georgia)

Albany High School
The front entrance of Albany High as seen from Residence Avenue, prior to renovations "You just can't hide that Indian pride"
Location
Albany, Georgia United States
Information
Type	Public secondary
Established	1886
Oversight	Dougherty County School System
Principal	Rodney Bullard
Grades	9–12
Enrollment	921
Campus	Suburban
Color(s)	Orange and green
Mascot	Indians and Squaws
Yearbook	Thronateeska
Distinctions	A Georgia School of Excellence
Website	http://docoschools.org/schools/albanyhigh.htm

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

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

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.

After student enrollment rapidly increased during the first two decades, overcrowding led to expansion until a building was built in 1908. Located at the intersection of Monroe Street and Society Avenue, it contained ten classrooms. In 1925, the high school moved to 1000 North Jefferson Street. In the fall of 1954 the school shifted to its current building on Residence Avenue.

In the fall of 1999, a Magnet Honors Program was added to the curriculum.^[1]

School athletics

Basketball

The boys' basketball team has been coached by Archie Chatmon for more than 30 years, during which time he has accrued a winning 56%.

The Indians won the region championship in the 2014-2015, and 2011-2012 seasons, their first since the 2004-2005 season. They ended the 2011-2012 season 25-3, losing in the 3rd round (Elite 8) in the state playoffs to Vidalia. The Indians lost the first round after being crowned region champs.

Coach Chatmon has appeared in two state championship games, losing twice to their rival Westover in 1990 and 1993. In 1994 the Indians lost in the Final Four to Marist. They won the Region Championship in 1986 and advanced to the State Final Four, losing to Marist. They were coached by Randy Roderick.

The girls' basketball team is coached by Candenesia.

Football

Since 2009, football has been coached by Felton Williams, the Indians' starting quarterback in the early 1990s. He went 0-10 in 2009, his first season as head coach. The first game in his second season (2010), the Indians defeated their rival Dougherty in the regular season for the first time since 1988. The Indians had lost seven straight against the Trojans from 1989-1995. The series ended when the Indians dropped out of Region 1-AAA to Region 1-AA after the 95 season. The Indians defeated the Trojans in 2010 (16-14) and again in 2011 (39-7) as they won two straight against Dougherty. In the 2011 season the Indians defeated another rival, Monroe (14-13), getting their first win against the Tornadoes since 1989. The Indians ended their 2012 season at 2-8 overall (1-6 in Region 1-AAAA). In the 2015 season, the Indians finished 0-9.

The Head Coach is Felton Williams (7 seasons), who has a 13-55 record overall.

Baseball

Albany High's baseball team in the past stayed in the playoffs and was usually one of the pre-season favorites to win the region. The team hasn't made the playoffs since 2005. They haven't won a Region Championship since 1996, when they went 22-0 in the regular season and got swept in the best 2 out of 3 in the first round of the State Playoffs against Hardaway.

Head Coach is Charles Chatmon, and Assistant Coach is Shawn Wiley.

Soccer

Soccer is Albany's second most popular spring sport.

The girls' team was coached by Tabitha Sizemore and made the playoffs in 2007, 2008, and 2009. The girls finished 8-15 in the 2012 season. The boys' club was coached by Franklin Turner, who is also the football program's defensive line coach. The boys' last playoff appearance was in 2008. The boys finished 11-12 in the 2012 season.

School stadium

Hugh Mills Stadium is used by all four public high schools: the Albany High Indians, Dougherty High Trojans, Monroe High Tornadoes, and Westover High Patriots football and track teams. It is also the host of the girls' 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 the 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 on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights.

Extracurricular activities

The Marching Chiefs' awards and trophies from winning the Grand Champion at the Sound of Silver Marching Invitational on October 16, 2010

• 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 meets several times each year and assists in readying projects for shows.
• Band - The school's marching band is known as the Marching Chiefs. Having been invited to several bowl games and marching invitationals, they have received, at a minimum, "Excellent" ratings in the past five years at marching festivals and competitions. The Chiefs finished the 2009 marching season with two best in class trophies. At the Blue and Grey Invitational, the Chiefs placed third in competition and best in class and division, band, danceline, and drum majors. The Chiefs received "Superior" ratings in all captions of marching (excluding color guard and drumline) at the Blue and Grey Marching Invitational. At that same competition, the drumline and color guard received an excellent rating, along with best in class and division awards. At the Sound of Silver Marching Invitational, the Chiefs received "Superior" ratings in both Festival and Competition for all captions of marching. The band and the danceline beat nine other bands in their class, to be named Best in Class (AA). The AHS Marching Chiefs was noted as the Reserve Grand Champion Band at Sound of Silver, outscoring 20 other bands. The symphonic band has earned all superiors at the GMEA District 2 LGPE a number of years. The Albany High Marching Chiefs competed again in the Sound of Silver Invitational in Blackshear, Georgia on October 16, 2010, where they won the title of Grand Champion and Best in Class AAA band, drum major, drumline, and color guard. Some members of the program have participated in the Dougherty County Honor Band and the GMEA District 2 Honor Band.
• Beta Club - The Beta Club sponsors scholarships and the Miss AHS Pageant. To be a member, a student must maintain a "B" average. ^[2]
• Block A - This group contains those students who have earned a letter for sports agility and musical or academic ability.
• Chorus - The Albany High Chorale has received superior ratings in the GMEA festival since 2011-2012. They have participated in the Southern Star Music Festival, where they received "Superior" ratings. The Chorale has played a major role in Albany by participating in the Albany State University homecoming parade and performing at schools, churches, and the annual Peppermint Pops concert presented by the Albany Symphony Orchestra. In 2011, the chorale served as an opening act to comedian Bill Cosby. Their motto is "Why do we sing? It's our passion."
• DECA - Members of DECA learn 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. Other projects on the itinerary are community-oriented, geared to entertaining the elderly and youth during 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 - Better known as the Fellowship of Christian Students, this group provides Christian fellowship opportunities. FCA meets on Tuesday mornings for prayer and devotionals. The group also meets periodically at the flagpole for prayer. The club is affiliated 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. ^[3]
• Japanese Club - Organized to expand students' awareness of Japanese language and culture, the club has sponsored several Japanese festivals. It is an offshoot of the 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. It prepares students for the world of work and/or higher education. ^[4]
• 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 is made up of students who excel in mathematics courses. Every month they 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 State College and Georgia Southwestern State University.
• Mock Trial
• Orchestra - Students practice and perform with the Dougherty County Youth Symphony Orchestra at concerts throughout the year.
• PowWow - This is the student newspaper.
• Short Circuits - This club organizes props, lighting, and sound for pageants, dance recitals, band recitals, and assemblies.
• Spanish Club - The club promotes interest in studying Spanish-speaking language and culture. It participates in the Light the Night Leukemia Walk, Adopt-a-Family for Thanksgiving Dinner, and other service projects.
• Student Advisory Council - This 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 - This 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, blood drives, and other activities.
• TASCO - The Teenage Support Council consists of teens helping people through difficult times. Throughout the year, TASCO promotes communications to help struggling teens. 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 (Skills USA) - Vocational Industrial Clubs Of America was a work-study program that allowed students to have part-time jobs and be graded on their work performance by their supervisors. Students could leave school early as long as they maintained a job..

School traditions

Events

• Annual Day - Annuals (yearbooks) are distributed during May at an assembly at which the annual is dedicated. On this date, students are given the opportunity to sign other students' annuals during most classes.
• Awards Day - A spring awards program presents 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 - This is a rite of passage for graduating seniors. The student body of AHS assembles in the auditorium to view the extravagant entrance and exit of seniors, presentations, and senior skits. Near the end of 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, there is the traditional homecoming football game, where the 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 the vote of the student body.
• Miss AHS Pageant - Candidates for the pageant must be juniors or seniors. The Beta Club sponsors the contest annually during the fall. Each club nominates a girl who represents it. 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 is similar to the Miss AHS pageant except that the contestants are male. 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 - 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 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

• Danny Breeden, former professional baseball player (Cincinnati Reds, Chicago Cubs)
• Hal Breeden, former professional baseball player (Chicago Cubs, Montreal Expos)
• Paula Deen, chef and host of the Paula's Home Cooking television show on the Food Network^[5][6]
• Jim Fowler, animal expert and host of the quadruple Emmy Award-winning wildlife television show Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom^[7]
• Edward "Skip" Gnehm, United States ambassador to Jordan, Australia and Kuwait; visiting professor at The George Washington University^[8][9]
• Chris Jansen, poet and translator of the Persian poet Rumi and Nobel Prize Winner Pablo Neruda
• Colonel John King, former Brigade Commander of the 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Georgia National Guard
• Ray Stevens, country music singer^[10]
• Jodie Whire, NFL player
• Alexander Wright, former NFL football player (Dallas Cowboys, Los Angeles Raiders, St. Louis Rams)

References

• National Center for Education Statistics School Profile: Albany High School. 2003. National Center for Education Statistics. 7 May 2005
• Thronateeska 2005. Volume 86. Albany, Georgia: Albany High School, 2005. 1-192.
• Thronateeska Heritage Center

External links

• Albany High Times — alumni website
• Albany High website

Coordinates: 31°34′59″N 84°10′05″W / 31.583°N 84.168°W / 31.583; -84.168