Niceville High School
Encyclopedia
Niceville Senior High School (also known as NHS) is a public high school in the city of Niceville, Florida
. The school is SACS-accredited and considered to be the top high school within its high performing district. In 1996 NHS was selected as one of 226 secondary schools (private and public) to be designated as a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence. NHS was also named a New American High School in 2001, one of only 13 in the nation to earn that honor. The State of Florida Department of Education rated the school an A+ in 2001, 2002, 2003, and 2005.
The current location of NHS atop a hill running parallel to John Sims Parkway was not the original site of the school, opened in 1964; NHS was initially located in a dance hall on Howell Avenue and once held classes at what is now Edge Elementary.
to participate in Natural Geography of In-Shore Areas project sponsored by University of Kyoto, Japan. In 2003 a team from NHS posted 43rd out of almost 200 teams in the Super Bowl of High School Calculus.
Niceville High School also offers other activities such as SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions), Key Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Manga Club, Philosophy Club, and countless others.
Also, The Niceville High School Forensics Team has won many competitions in the south Florida region, including the prestigious University of Blue Key Tournament.
In 1981 and 1982 Tony Phillips won the National Science Fair for his research on the effects of sunspots and coronal mass ejections on the earth. Tony went on to a successful career in NASA after earning his Ph.D from CalTech.
Niceville Girl’s Softball Eagles had advanced to the Class 5A regional semifinals in 2009-2010 and were the runner-ups. In 2010-2011 they became the 5A State Champions with an overall score of 23-2-0. In the semifinals the Niceville Eagles Softball team won Friday's Playoff game against the Wellington Wolverines by a score of 5-0. In the Finals, they beat Bartow with a score of 2 –1. In the Xcellent 25 Writers' Poll Niceville is currently ranked 7th
Niceville, Florida
Niceville is a city in Okaloosa County, Florida, United States, located close to Eglin Air Force Base. It originally began with the name Valparaiso, then to separate itself from the neighboring town took the unofficial name of Boggy. Upon incorporation as an official city, the name was changed to...
. The school is SACS-accredited and considered to be the top high school within its high performing district. In 1996 NHS was selected as one of 226 secondary schools (private and public) to be designated as a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence. NHS was also named a New American High School in 2001, one of only 13 in the nation to earn that honor. The State of Florida Department of Education rated the school an A+ in 2001, 2002, 2003, and 2005.
The current location of NHS atop a hill running parallel to John Sims Parkway was not the original site of the school, opened in 1964; NHS was initially located in a dance hall on Howell Avenue and once held classes at what is now Edge Elementary.
Athletics
Niceville High School has gained some notoriety for its athletics program. In 2009 the Niceville High School Football team was runner up in the 4A division of Florida. In addition, Niceville has in years past fielded highly competitive baseball teams earning places in the 1989 and 2008 Florida State Final Four and posting district championships in 1991, 2002, 2004 and 2005, 2008, and 2009. In 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, and 2010 the NHS wrestling team also posted district championships. The boy's soccer team also has consistently posted district championships winning titles every year from 1995 through 2001 and 2004 through 2007. On June 5, 2008, NHS star left-handed pitcher Brett DeVall was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the first round of the 2008 MLB draft. On August 30, 2008 Niceville High School sophomore wide receiver Taylor Haugen died after taking a particularly hard hit from two opposing players. The Taylor Haugen Foundation was created to honor his memory in spirit of his extraordinary character. The mission of the foundation is to provide scholarships to faith-based, outgoing, community-oriented, academically-proficient athletes in the local community. Girls Soccer has won the past 8 district consecutive titles, and making it to State Final Four in 2006. Niceville High School's first State Title came in 1987 when the Boy's Cross Country team won the State Title in Titisville, FL. Additionally, the Basketball team made it to the Final Four in the 2009-2010 season. The Volleyball team also made a run to the Final four in 2010.Student activities
Beyond athletics, Niceville High School has won accolades for many of its student-run activities. In 2007, a team from the school took honors at the Ocean Sciences Bowl. During the same year seven students from the school were sent to TanzaniaTanzania
The United Republic of Tanzania is a country in East Africa bordered by Kenya and Uganda to the north, Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west, and Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique to the south. The country's eastern borders lie on the Indian Ocean.Tanzania is a state...
to participate in Natural Geography of In-Shore Areas project sponsored by University of Kyoto, Japan. In 2003 a team from NHS posted 43rd out of almost 200 teams in the Super Bowl of High School Calculus.
Niceville High School also offers other activities such as SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions), Key Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Manga Club, Philosophy Club, and countless others.
Also, The Niceville High School Forensics Team has won many competitions in the south Florida region, including the prestigious University of Blue Key Tournament.
In 1981 and 1982 Tony Phillips won the National Science Fair for his research on the effects of sunspots and coronal mass ejections on the earth. Tony went on to a successful career in NASA after earning his Ph.D from CalTech.
Niceville Girl’s Softball Eagles had advanced to the Class 5A regional semifinals in 2009-2010 and were the runner-ups. In 2010-2011 they became the 5A State Champions with an overall score of 23-2-0. In the semifinals the Niceville Eagles Softball team won Friday's Playoff game against the Wellington Wolverines by a score of 5-0. In the Finals, they beat Bartow with a score of 2 –1. In the Xcellent 25 Writers' Poll Niceville is currently ranked 7th
AFJROTC
Niceville High also supports an Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps program. The Corps is sponsored by the nearby Eglin AFB's 33rd Fighter Wing. Belonging to the 33rd for three years will advance you two paygrades in the Army, Navy, and Air Force, and one paygrade in the United States Marine Corps upon Enlistment. In addition to the advancement, cadets are awarded the "Three Year Coin", a challenge coin to keep as a trophy for completing three years of Jr. ROTC. The Corps has four drill teams, Armed Regulation, Un-Armed Exhibition, Un-Armed Regulation, and Armed Exhibition, in addition to an Honor Guard, Sabre Team, and a Rocket Team that fires off rockets during the National Anthem at home football games. The FL-33rd is currently under the command of Retired CMSgt Roy Taylor, and Retired MSgt Danny Hensley. The current Corps Commander is Cadet Colonel Thomas Joseph Brown.NHS Eagle Pride
With more than 250 members, the Niceville High School Eagle Pride is one of the largest high school bands in the region. They most recently attended the 2008 Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California, and in the same year their Wind Ensemble was one the select few high school concert bands to perform at CBDNA in Columbus, Georgia. In 2004 the Eagle Pride marched in the Fiesta Bowl Parade and took fourth place in the national marching band contest associated with the parade. In 2010, the Niceville Wind Ensemble performed at Carnegie hall in New York City. They perform every year at the Southeastern States Marching Festival at Troy University in Troy, Alabama. The Eagle Pride is well-known for their high-impact field shows and their quality of music.Principals
- Marcus Chambers (2011-Present)
- Dr. Linda Smith, Ed.D. (2007–2011)
- Dr. Janie Varner, Ed.D. (2001–2007)
- Dr. David Morgan, Ed.D. (1994–2000)
- Jeanette Rhodes (1989–1994)
- Ashley Hutcheson (1971–1989)
- Colly V. Williams (1968–1971)
- Orus Kinney (1964–1968)
Quick facts
- Taylor Haugen's story was featured during CBS' broadcast of the 2009 SEC Championship Game2009 SEC Championship GameThe 2009 SEC Championship Game was played on December 5, 2009, in the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia, to determine the 2009 football champion of the Southeastern Conference . The game featured the Florida Gators and the Alabama Crimson Tide. The Crimson Tide was the designated "home team"; this...
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- NHS's philosophy is, "Teachers teach. Students learn. Everyone else supports."
- The school features a state-of-the-art IT Institute, headed by Dean Patti Bonezzi. Since the institute opened in 2004, students have been awarded 250+ certificates in programs such as MicrosoftMicrosoftMicrosoft Corporation is an American public multinational corporation headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of products and services predominantly related to computing through its various product divisions...
, Certified Internet Web Professional, Oracle CorporationOracle CorporationOracle Corporation is an American multinational computer technology corporation that specializes in developing and marketing hardware systems and enterprise software products – particularly database management systems...
, CiscoCiscoCisco may refer to:Companies:*Cisco Systems, a computer networking company* Certis CISCO, corporatised entity of the former Commercial and Industrial Security Corporation in Singapore...
, and Adobe SystemsAdobe SystemsAdobe Systems Incorporated is an American computer software company founded in 1982 and headquartered in San Jose, California, United States...
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- The school's Eagle Pride marching band is one of the biggest in the state with 272 members. They marched in the 2008 Tournament of Roses ParadeTournament of Roses ParadeThe Tournament of Roses Parade, better known as the Rose Parade, is "America's New Year Celebration", a festival of flower-covered floats, marching bands, equestrians and a college football game on New Year's Day , produced by the non-profit Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association.The annual...
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- NHS won the Boys Cross Country State Title in 1987 and 1999.
- NHS won the state championship in football in 1988, went to the state semifinals in 2005, and was a State Runner-Up in 2009.
- Lacking a true "cross-town rival," Niceville's main rivals are Choctawhatchee High School and Fort Walton Beach High School, located in Fort Walton Beach, FL.
- The 2011 softball team won the State Championship in Clermont, FL, defeating Bartow High School 2-1.
Notable alumni
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sideline analyst - Cris JuddCris JuddCristan Leenon "Cris" Judd is an American actor and choreographer known for his brief marriage to Jennifer Lopez. He hails from Abilene, Texas.-Early years:...
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, actor in Blue Mountain StateBlue Mountain StateBlue Mountain State is an American comedy series that premiered on Spike on January 11, 2010. The series producers include Chris Romano and Eric Falconer and is produced by Lionsgate Television...
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and a previous 3rd season contestant on American IdolAmerican IdolAmerican Idol, titled American Idol: The Search for a Superstar for the first season, is a reality television singing competition created by Simon Fuller and produced by FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment...
. - Jeff McInnisJeff McInnisJeff Lemans McInnis is a basketball player. He has played in the NBA, in Greece and in the CBA .-Career:...
, Contestant on TV series Top ChefTop ChefTop Chef is an American reality competition show that airs on the cable television network Bravo, in which chefs compete against each other in culinary challenges. They are judged by a panel of professional chefs and other notables from the food and wine industry with one or more contestants...
on Bravo. - Toby Turner, YouTube vlogger and comedian.
- Lewis BillupsLewis BillupsLewis Billups was a former American football cornerback who played seven seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals and Green Bay Packers in the National Football League, recording 9 interceptions and 8 fumble recoveries...
, NFL player for 7 seasons with the Bengals and Packers. Appeared in Super Bowl XXIII. - Christina Leavenworth, CBS Reporter/Anchor, WWL-TVWWL-TVWWL-TV, virtual channel 4, is the CBS-affiliated television station serving New Orleans, Louisiana, southeast Louisiana and parts of southern and coastal Mississippi, and is the primary CBS station for South and Coastal Mississippi. It broadcasts on UHF digital channel 36...
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