Douglas S. Freeman High School
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| Douglas Southall Freeman High School | |
| Address | |
|---|---|
| 8701 Three Chopt Road, Richmond, Virginia 23229 |
|
| Information | |
| School district | Henrico County Public Schools |
| Superintendent | Mr. Frederick S. Morton IV |
| Principal | Mrs. Anne L. Poates |
| Assistant Principals | Mr. R. Warren Ahrens Mrs. Joi Alexander-Lowery Dr. Jamie Arkin Mr. William Broyles |
| Enrollment |
1,634 (2006-2007) |
| School type | Public high school |
| Grades | 9-12 |
| Language | English |
| Campus | Suburban |
| Motto | "Intensity and Pride" |
| Mascot | Rebels |
| Color(s) | Blue and Gray |
| Yearbook | The Historian |
| Newspaper | The Commentator |
| Founded | 1954 |
| Rival Schools | Mills E. Godwin High School |
| Atlhetic Conference | Virginia High School League AAA Central Region AAA Colonial District |
| Homepage | Official Site |
Douglas S. Freeman High School is a public high school located in the West End of Henrico County, Virginia, near the intersection of Three Chopt Road and Parham Road. It is named for Pulitzer Prize-winning Virginia author and historian Dr. Douglas Southall Freeman (1886-1953), who was editor of the Richmond News Leader. The current principal of Freeman is Anne Poates.
The school, operated by Henrico County Public Schools, opened in 1954, slightly more than one year after Dr. Freeman's death. The school colors are blue and gray, and the teams are named the "Rebels". The colors and team names were devised as a tribute to Dr. Freeman's extensive study of the American Civil War. The official publications of the school honor Freeman's various jobs during his lifetime. The Commentator (school newspaper) reflects Freeman's work on WRVA radio during World War II. The Educator (school literary magazine) reflects Freeman's job as a professor at the University of Richmond. The Historian (school yearbook) reflects Freeman's studies of various American history topics, including two that won him the Pulitzer Prize.
Since 1980, Freeman High School has had an intense rivalry with nearby Mills E. Godwin High School.[citation needed] The two schools meet during the regular sports seasons and often play each other in district, regional and state final matches. This rivalry has also been known to extend into debate, individual events, and quizbowl.[citation needed] In the middle of the 2005-2006 season, Freeman students were recognized by the morning ESPN program, "Cold Pizza" when they called into question one of Godwin's better players' sexuality (a particularly controversial subject in the mostly conservative area surrounding the schools) and were subsequently banned from their next home game.[citation needed]
Freeman is home to the 2005 Girls Varsity Volleyball State Champions. The Girls Cross Country team of 2006, recently placed third at the VHSL State Meet. The boys Cross Country team of 2007 placed fifth at the VHSL State meet. The men's tennis team of 2007 played in the State Finals, but was defeated by James W. Robinson Secondary School. The Outdoor Boys Track team placed 3rd in the VSHL State meet after winning Regionals and District Championships.
Since the summer of 2007, the school has been undergoing renovations. Trailer classrooms now occupy the tennis courts, teacher parking lot, and part of the student parking lot. In addition, the parking for students has been much more limited than in previous years. Instead of having spaces for everyone, a lottery was held at the beginning of the year for seniors to win parking spots. The renovations are expected to be completed in 2009.
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[edit] Specialty Center for Leadership, Government, and Global Economics
The current center chairman is Rob Peck (the 2006 Henrico County Teacher of the Year). Other center teachers include strapping young John "Johnny D." Larkins, Mark Dozier, Coach Bright, Tracey Bonday-de Leon, Steven Zanetti, and newcomer Bridget Reichert. Students at the Center:
- immerse themselves in an interdisciplinary program founded in the social sciences and language arts culminating in an advanced studies diploma
- explore conflicts between personal choice and community principles through literature, history, political science and economics
- learn best how to use spark notes and procrasination
- compare and contrast human principles throughout world history and cultures
- observe and interact with leaders through partnerships, tailored programs and internships
- actively engage in community service
- develop formal communication skills necessary to excel in a technological society
[edit] Virginia High School League State Championship Teams
- Boys Cross Country: 1969
- Girls Cross Country: 1999
- Debate: 1970
- Football: 1967 (shared title with two other schools, as no title game was played until the 1970s)
- Golf: 1964
- Softball: 1980
- Boys Tennis: 1982, 1985, 1989, 2001
- Girls Tennis: 1983
- Boys Track: 1970
- Girls Volleyball: 2005
[edit] Notable alumni
- John Aboud -- Founder of Modern Humorist, and commentator on VH1's Best Week Ever
- Bill Leverty -- Guitarist for the American rock band Firehouse
- Bernard Siegel-- Founder and Executive Director of the Genetics Policy Institute
- Barty Smith -- Player for NFL's Green Bay Packers (1974-1981)
- Elliott Yamin-- Third place runner up on the popular TV show American Idol
- Kenneth Raymond Moore -- Retired varsity baseball coach and Latin teacher. Known for many catch phrases. Baseball field has been dedicated to him.
