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Woodford County High School (Kentucky)
Encyclopedia
Woodford County High School is a public high school located in Versailles, Kentucky
. It serves grades 9-12 and since the 1970s has been the only public high school in Woodford County
.
: Midway High School, Versailles High School and Simmons High School. Simmons was an all black
school and in the 1950s Simmons closed. Simmons High School students attended either Midway High School or Versailles High School. Midway High School was closed in the early 1960s.
The old Midway High School building became Midway Elementary, then was closed, remodeled and converted into historic building apartments. The old Versailles High School building became Woodford County Junior High (later renamed WC Middle School) when the current Woodford County High School building was constructed in 1964. Since that time, WCHS has been the only high school serving Woodford County
.
Ben Chandler
, former Arizona Cardinal Mike Gentry, country music singer John Conlee
, former Broadway dancer/performer Joni Schenck and her sister, current NYCMH Rockette
Broadway dancer/performer Megan Schenck, former America's Junior Miss Taylor Phillips, and Rascal Flatts band member Travis Toy.
, Cheerleading
, Wrestling
, Cross country
, Track and Field
, Football
, Boys Basketball
, Girls Basketball
Baseball
, Softball
, Boys Soccer, Girls Soccer, Swimming
, Diving
, Tennis
, and Golf
.
Woodford County High School Athletics program has over 40 years of competitive history at the district, regional and state level, with several teams competing at the state championship level. WCHS has afforded many student athletes the opportunity to earn athletic scholarships to compete and study at the college level. Some student athletes have gone on to finish their high school and college careers, only to come back to coach. Most notable of this group would include: Joe Carr, Joe Carr Jr, Bob Gibson, Susan Sullins, and Andrea "Bug" Brown. Several coaches, athletic directors, and administrators have gone on to be recognized at the state level for their leadership and contributions to student athletes at WCHS and amongst coaches/administrators throughout the state. Most notable of this group would include: Coach Gene Kirk, Coach Don Lane, Coach Bill Hill, Mr. Ken Tippett, and Coach Joe Carr.
The wrestling team has won 14 state championships, celebrating more than any other KHSAA school. The wrestling team championship span from 1972, to the most recent one in 2006. Notable wrestlers in WCHS history include four time State Champion Joe Carr, and three-timers Richard Starks, Ian Horn, and Jeff Fitch. In 2006, the boys cross country team celebrated the title of KHSAA Runner Up. The 2006 team's varsity runners included Chris Rice, Cullen Kuntz, David Grieshaber, Andrew Baker, Jacob Kuntz, Chad Scott, and Noah Vasilakes. WCHS boasts a long football history, with several WCHS graduates going on to play at the collegiate level. Most recently, the 2006 football team made the playoffs in the 2006 season upsetting the 10-0 Lafayette Generals
in the first round before falling to the Henry Clay Blue Devils
in the second round.
The Girls Soccer team participated in the state championship in 2007, defeated by Sacred Heart Academy 2-0; and in the 2008 State Final Four,losing to Highlands 1-0. The most notable WCHS Soccer Player, Andrea "Bug" Brown went on to play at the college level and return back to coach after her college career.
Both the Boys and Girls Basketball have a long competitive history. In the early 1970s, the Boys Basketball Program was led by Coach Don Lane. Later, after Coach Lane went on to coach at the college level, and Coach Kirk became head coach. Years later, Coach Bill Hill became the head Girls Coach. The coaches led WCHS to sweet 16 births in the mid 1980s to 1990s. After Coaches Kirk and Hill retired, they were succeeded by Coach Bill Bland & Bob Gibson as the boys tean coaches, and Coach Jay Lucas as the girls team coach, all who had served under Coaches Kirk & Hill as assistants.
The Boys Basketball team, led by Coach Gene Kirk, made a 1986 Sweet 16 State Basketball Tournament birth appearance after winning the 11th Region Boys Basketball Tournament for the first time in school history. The Girls Basketball team, led by Coach Bill Hill, made a 1995 birth appearance after winning the 11th Region Girls Basketball Tournament for the first time in school history. Both Boys and Girls Basketball Programs have produced several student athletes who have gone on to earn scholarships and/or participate at the collegiate level. Over the years, both programs have produced several players who have gone on to participate in coaching basketball programs, including Coach Bill Bland (Woodford County Boys), Coach Bob Gibson (Woodford County), Coach Brad Carter (LCA) and Coach Susan Sullins (Woodford County).
The 1985 Girls Golf Team had many years as regional champions and celebrated the title of KHSAA 1985 State Girls Golf Team Runner Up. The 1985 Girls Golf Team included 3/4 players in the top 25, and opportunities for 3 players to receive Division I Golf Scholarships. This 1985 Girls Golf Team included: Laura Pulliam (1), Patty Scott (2), Micki Hill (3), and Shea Fontana (4) and was led by Coach Gene Kirk. The Boys Golf Team has included several players who have gone on to compete at the state level. Most notable of the Boys Golf Team would be Jeff Moffett (1986), who became a PGA Professional.
The WCHS Swim Team has celebrated several competitive seasons over the past 40 years. Amongst the most notable student athlete swimmers at WCHS are: Dana Wilds (University of Tennessee) and Kristina Kirk (Union College).
s list of the 1,300 top schools in the nation, with only 11 other Kentucky
schools making the list. WCHS slipped from 1095th place in 2006. In 2005, WCHS met all NCLB
goals. Scoring overall in the 45th percentile in math, and 40th in reading. They also met most of the Kentucky Department of Education goals scoring a 79.6 Overall, the highest being Practical Living/Vocational Studies (90.1607) and the lowest being Writing (66.8237).
WCHS has produced many academic all americans, several national merit scholars, and provided opportunities for many students to go on to earn college academic scholarships. WCHS has also produced many students who have been successful in the vocational arts, going on to successfully work in business and in several different vocations/industries. Woodford County had one of the state's few co-op vocational programs as well as a health careers program to prepare students for jobs in a variety of fields.
just weeks before band camp. Mr. Matthew J. Skaggs was hired as WCHS band director and managed lead the marching Yellow Jackets to attend two competitions: one in exhibition and one at the 2006 Beechwood Festival of Bands (Fort Mitchell) Score: 55.90, earning second place in the AAAA class.
Since the competition era has begun, the marching Yellow Jackets have provided audiences with several great themes, costumes, and shows.
The 2007 program was space themed. It included selections such as the Apollo 13
theme, excerpts from Jupiter
by Gustav Holst
, the theme from E.T.
, and Gemini. The band debuted their new uniforms and a partially redesigned show in the Lincoln Days Invitational Marching Band Competition, in LaRue County, Kentucky, where they scored a 65.29.
The 2008 program was "Earth: Construction in Four Movements", was written by Key Poulan. This program featured songs entitled: "Air, Fire, Water and Land." The band competed for the first time in the largest in-state class (Division 5A KMEA
) as well as the midstates band conference where they are classified in the smaller 4A division.
The 2009 program theme was "Off the Beaten Path", which as the name suggests took a slight departure from the previous, more traditional shows. With several new additions, including a new color guard instructor, Woodford County landed a spot in the KMEA
semi-finals; a first for the school.
The 2010 program was "Groove", which was a program that had a more modern beat as the name suggests. This show had 3 movements Let's Dance Beach, Tango me pink, and DANCE DANCE DANCE DANCE!! However the band didn't make Semi-Finals Coming 10th place at regionals. At the very end of the 2010-2011 school the head director Matthew J. Skaggs left the band just a little more than a month before the new season was to start.
Now under the direction of John Bowmer the band has started their 2011 season with their program "The Eternal Conflict in Sudan".
It's repeated 5 times.
Versailles, Kentucky
As of the census of 2000, there were 7,511 people, 3,160 households, and 2,110 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 3,330 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 88.18% White, 8.67% African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.35%...
. It serves grades 9-12 and since the 1970s has been the only public high school in Woodford County
Woodford County, Kentucky
Woodford County is a county located in the heart of the Bluegrass region of the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of 2000, the population was 23,208. Its county seat is Versailles. The county is named for General William Woodford, who was with General George Washington at Valley Forge...
.
History
At one time, there were three (3) high schools in Woodford CountyWoodford County, Kentucky
Woodford County is a county located in the heart of the Bluegrass region of the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of 2000, the population was 23,208. Its county seat is Versailles. The county is named for General William Woodford, who was with General George Washington at Valley Forge...
: Midway High School, Versailles High School and Simmons High School. Simmons was an all black
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
school and in the 1950s Simmons closed. Simmons High School students attended either Midway High School or Versailles High School. Midway High School was closed in the early 1960s.
The old Midway High School building became Midway Elementary, then was closed, remodeled and converted into historic building apartments. The old Versailles High School building became Woodford County Junior High (later renamed WC Middle School) when the current Woodford County High School building was constructed in 1964. Since that time, WCHS has been the only high school serving Woodford County
Woodford County, Kentucky
Woodford County is a county located in the heart of the Bluegrass region of the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of 2000, the population was 23,208. Its county seat is Versailles. The county is named for General William Woodford, who was with General George Washington at Valley Forge...
.
Notable alumni
Notable alumni include US Rep.United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
Ben Chandler
Ben Chandler
Albert Benjamin "Ben" Chandler III is the U.S. Representative for , serving since a special election in 2004. He is a member of the Democratic Party.-Early life, education and career:...
, former Arizona Cardinal Mike Gentry, country music singer John Conlee
John Conlee
John Conlee is an American country music singer. Between 1978 and 2004, Conlee charted a total of thirty-two singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts and recorded eleven studio albums...
, former Broadway dancer/performer Joni Schenck and her sister, current NYCMH Rockette
The Rockettes
The Rockettes are a precision dance company performing out of the Radio City Music Hall in Manhattan, New York City. During the Christmas season, the Rockettes have performed five shows a day, seven days a week, for 77 years...
Broadway dancer/performer Megan Schenck, former America's Junior Miss Taylor Phillips, and Rascal Flatts band member Travis Toy.
Mission statement
The Woodford County High School community will create and nurture a positive and safe learning environment of mutual respect, open communication, and high standards where all participants will exhibit the ability to be life-long learners equipped to successfully challenge the future.Athletics
WCHS athletic teams include VolleyballVolleyball
Volleyball is a team sport in which two teams of six players are separated by a net. Each team tries to score points by grounding a ball on the other team's court under organized rules.The complete rules are extensive...
, Cheerleading
Cheerleading
Cheerleading is a physical activity, sometimes a competitive sport, based on organized routines, usually ranging from one to three minutes, which contain the components of tumbling, dance, jumps, cheers, and stunting to direct spectators of events to cheer on sports teams at games or to participate...
, Wrestling
Wrestling
Wrestling is a form of grappling type techniques such as clinch fighting, throws and takedowns, joint locks, pins and other grappling holds. A wrestling bout is a physical competition, between two competitors or sparring partners, who attempt to gain and maintain a superior position...
, Cross country
Cross country running
Cross country running is a sport in which people run a race on open-air courses over natural terrain. The course, typically long, may include surfaces of grass and earth, pass through woodlands and open country, and include hills, flat ground and sometimes gravel road...
, Track and Field
Track and field
Track and field is a sport comprising various competitive athletic contests based around the activities of running, jumping and throwing. The name of the sport derives from the venue for the competitions: a stadium which features an oval running track surrounding a grassy area...
, Football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
, Boys Basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
, Girls Basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
Baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
, Softball
Softball
Softball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of 10 to 14 players. It is a direct descendant of baseball although there are some key differences: softballs are larger than baseballs, and the pitches are thrown underhand rather than overhand...
, Boys Soccer, Girls Soccer, Swimming
Swimming (sport)
Swimming is a sport governed by the Fédération Internationale de Natation .-History: Competitive swimming in Europe began around 1800 BCE, mostly in the form of the freestyle. In 1873 Steve Bowyer introduced the trudgen to Western swimming competitions, after copying the front crawl used by Native...
, Diving
Diving
Diving is the sport of jumping or falling into water from a platform or springboard, sometimes while performing acrobatics. Diving is an internationally-recognized sport that is part of the Olympic Games. In addition, unstructured and non-competitive diving is a recreational pastime.Diving is one...
, Tennis
Tennis
Tennis is a sport usually played between two players or between two teams of two players each . Each player uses a racket that is strung to strike a hollow rubber ball covered with felt over a net into the opponent's court. Tennis is an Olympic sport and is played at all levels of society at all...
, and Golf
Golf
Golf is a precision club and ball sport, in which competing players use many types of clubs to hit balls into a series of holes on a golf course using the fewest number of strokes....
.
Woodford County High School Athletics program has over 40 years of competitive history at the district, regional and state level, with several teams competing at the state championship level. WCHS has afforded many student athletes the opportunity to earn athletic scholarships to compete and study at the college level. Some student athletes have gone on to finish their high school and college careers, only to come back to coach. Most notable of this group would include: Joe Carr, Joe Carr Jr, Bob Gibson, Susan Sullins, and Andrea "Bug" Brown. Several coaches, athletic directors, and administrators have gone on to be recognized at the state level for their leadership and contributions to student athletes at WCHS and amongst coaches/administrators throughout the state. Most notable of this group would include: Coach Gene Kirk, Coach Don Lane, Coach Bill Hill, Mr. Ken Tippett, and Coach Joe Carr.
The wrestling team has won 14 state championships, celebrating more than any other KHSAA school. The wrestling team championship span from 1972, to the most recent one in 2006. Notable wrestlers in WCHS history include four time State Champion Joe Carr, and three-timers Richard Starks, Ian Horn, and Jeff Fitch. In 2006, the boys cross country team celebrated the title of KHSAA Runner Up. The 2006 team's varsity runners included Chris Rice, Cullen Kuntz, David Grieshaber, Andrew Baker, Jacob Kuntz, Chad Scott, and Noah Vasilakes. WCHS boasts a long football history, with several WCHS graduates going on to play at the collegiate level. Most recently, the 2006 football team made the playoffs in the 2006 season upsetting the 10-0 Lafayette Generals
Lafayette High School (Lexington, Kentucky)
Lafayette Senior High School is a public high school located in Lexington, Kentucky's Picadome neighborhood. The school is one of five high schools in the Fayette County Public Schools district. It is among the largest high schools in Kentucky....
in the first round before falling to the Henry Clay Blue Devils
Henry Clay High School
Henry Clay High School is the oldest public high school in Lexington, Kentucky, opened on Main Street in 1928. It was named in honor of the Kentuckian and United States statesman, Henry Clay. The Main Street location now houses the main offices of the Fayette County Public Schools system. The...
in the second round.
The Girls Soccer team participated in the state championship in 2007, defeated by Sacred Heart Academy 2-0; and in the 2008 State Final Four,losing to Highlands 1-0. The most notable WCHS Soccer Player, Andrea "Bug" Brown went on to play at the college level and return back to coach after her college career.
Both the Boys and Girls Basketball have a long competitive history. In the early 1970s, the Boys Basketball Program was led by Coach Don Lane. Later, after Coach Lane went on to coach at the college level, and Coach Kirk became head coach. Years later, Coach Bill Hill became the head Girls Coach. The coaches led WCHS to sweet 16 births in the mid 1980s to 1990s. After Coaches Kirk and Hill retired, they were succeeded by Coach Bill Bland & Bob Gibson as the boys tean coaches, and Coach Jay Lucas as the girls team coach, all who had served under Coaches Kirk & Hill as assistants.
The Boys Basketball team, led by Coach Gene Kirk, made a 1986 Sweet 16 State Basketball Tournament birth appearance after winning the 11th Region Boys Basketball Tournament for the first time in school history. The Girls Basketball team, led by Coach Bill Hill, made a 1995 birth appearance after winning the 11th Region Girls Basketball Tournament for the first time in school history. Both Boys and Girls Basketball Programs have produced several student athletes who have gone on to earn scholarships and/or participate at the collegiate level. Over the years, both programs have produced several players who have gone on to participate in coaching basketball programs, including Coach Bill Bland (Woodford County Boys), Coach Bob Gibson (Woodford County), Coach Brad Carter (LCA) and Coach Susan Sullins (Woodford County).
The 1985 Girls Golf Team had many years as regional champions and celebrated the title of KHSAA 1985 State Girls Golf Team Runner Up. The 1985 Girls Golf Team included 3/4 players in the top 25, and opportunities for 3 players to receive Division I Golf Scholarships. This 1985 Girls Golf Team included: Laura Pulliam (1), Patty Scott (2), Micki Hill (3), and Shea Fontana (4) and was led by Coach Gene Kirk. The Boys Golf Team has included several players who have gone on to compete at the state level. Most notable of the Boys Golf Team would be Jeff Moffett (1986), who became a PGA Professional.
The WCHS Swim Team has celebrated several competitive seasons over the past 40 years. Amongst the most notable student athlete swimmers at WCHS are: Dana Wilds (University of Tennessee) and Kristina Kirk (Union College).
Academics
WCHS was ranked 1137th on NewsweekNewsweek
Newsweek is an American weekly news magazine published in New York City. It is distributed throughout the United States and internationally. It is the second-largest news weekly magazine in the U.S., having trailed Time in circulation and advertising revenue for most of its existence...
s list of the 1,300 top schools in the nation, with only 11 other Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
schools making the list. WCHS slipped from 1095th place in 2006. In 2005, WCHS met all NCLB
No Child Left Behind Act
The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 is a United States Act of Congress concerning the education of children in public schools.NCLB was originally proposed by the administration of George W. Bush immediately after he took office...
goals. Scoring overall in the 45th percentile in math, and 40th in reading. They also met most of the Kentucky Department of Education goals scoring a 79.6 Overall, the highest being Practical Living/Vocational Studies (90.1607) and the lowest being Writing (66.8237).
WCHS has produced many academic all americans, several national merit scholars, and provided opportunities for many students to go on to earn college academic scholarships. WCHS has also produced many students who have been successful in the vocational arts, going on to successfully work in business and in several different vocations/industries. Woodford County had one of the state's few co-op vocational programs as well as a health careers program to prepare students for jobs in a variety of fields.
Media Program
In the 1970s, Dave Noble began the WCHS Media program. The class was first named Telecommunications and taught students broadcasting skills. The program continues to operate after 40 years, and is still taught by Mr. Noble. Currently, the media classes broadcast the Live Afternoon Announcements, Channel 4, the video yearbook and a variety of other media.Clubs/Organizations
- ASA
- Band
- Book
- Choir
- Creative Writing
- ECHO
- EZLN
- FARC
- FBLA
- FCA
- FCCLA
- FEA
- FFA
- Film
- HOSA
- Jewish club
- Key Club
- Latin Kings
- Media
- NHS/Beta
- Pep Club
- Philosophy Club
- SAC
- SHII
- SADD
- SEEK
- Spanish
- Spanish Honors Club
- Student Council
- Theatre
- TSA
- YMCA Club
- YAC Club
- Young Democrats
- Young Black Panthers
- Young Republicans
Band
The Woodford County High School Marching Band has a long history with many traditions, including the performance of the "school fight song." In the 1970, 80s, and 90s, the band was led by Mr. Nat Carter. The band's flag corps was led by Ms. Faye Crews. The band eventually began competitive marching (2005). During this time, the marching band attended two competitions, one in exhibition and the other scoring 73.9. The band had a sudden director change as ex-director Rex Peyton was hired by West Jessamine High SchoolWest Jessamine High School
West Jessamine High School is a public high school in Nicholasville, Kentucky. It opened in 1997 along with East Jessamine High School after rapidly-growing Jessamine County split its former high school, Jessamine County High, in two...
just weeks before band camp. Mr. Matthew J. Skaggs was hired as WCHS band director and managed lead the marching Yellow Jackets to attend two competitions: one in exhibition and one at the 2006 Beechwood Festival of Bands (Fort Mitchell) Score: 55.90, earning second place in the AAAA class.
Since the competition era has begun, the marching Yellow Jackets have provided audiences with several great themes, costumes, and shows.
The 2007 program was space themed. It included selections such as the Apollo 13
Apollo 13 (film)
Apollo 13 is a 1995 American drama film directed by Ron Howard. The film stars Tom Hanks, Kevin Bacon, Bill Paxton, Gary Sinise, Kathleen Quinlan and Ed Harris. The screenplay by William Broyles, Jr...
theme, excerpts from Jupiter
The Planets
The Planets, Op. 32, is a seven-movement orchestral suite by the English composer Gustav Holst, written between 1914 and 1916. Each movement of the suite is named after a planet of the Solar System and its corresponding astrological character as defined by Holst...
by Gustav Holst
Gustav Holst
Gustav Theodore Holst was an English composer. He is most famous for his orchestral suite The Planets....
, the theme from E.T.
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial is a 1982 American science fiction film co-produced and directed by Steven Spielberg, written by Melissa Mathison and starring Henry Thomas, Dee Wallace, Robert MacNaughton, Drew Barrymore, and Peter Coyote...
, and Gemini. The band debuted their new uniforms and a partially redesigned show in the Lincoln Days Invitational Marching Band Competition, in LaRue County, Kentucky, where they scored a 65.29.
The 2008 program was "Earth: Construction in Four Movements", was written by Key Poulan. This program featured songs entitled: "Air, Fire, Water and Land." The band competed for the first time in the largest in-state class (Division 5A KMEA
Kentucky Music Educators Association
Kentucky Music Educators Association is the Kentucky state-level affiliate of MENC: The National Association for Music Education. KMEA consists of over 2,000 professional music educators at all levels from kindergarten to the university level...
) as well as the midstates band conference where they are classified in the smaller 4A division.
The 2009 program theme was "Off the Beaten Path", which as the name suggests took a slight departure from the previous, more traditional shows. With several new additions, including a new color guard instructor, Woodford County landed a spot in the KMEA
Kentucky Music Educators Association
Kentucky Music Educators Association is the Kentucky state-level affiliate of MENC: The National Association for Music Education. KMEA consists of over 2,000 professional music educators at all levels from kindergarten to the university level...
semi-finals; a first for the school.
The 2010 program was "Groove", which was a program that had a more modern beat as the name suggests. This show had 3 movements Let's Dance Beach, Tango me pink, and DANCE DANCE DANCE DANCE!! However the band didn't make Semi-Finals Coming 10th place at regionals. At the very end of the 2010-2011 school the head director Matthew J. Skaggs left the band just a little more than a month before the new season was to start.
Now under the direction of John Bowmer the band has started their 2011 season with their program "The Eternal Conflict in Sudan".
WCHS Cheer
The WCHS cheer has been a long tradition at Woodford County High School pep rallies. Each class has their own part. A staff member stands at Mid-court and points to the different class sections.- Seniors shout "W"
- Juniors shout "C"
- Sophomores shout "H"
- Freshmen shout "S"
It's repeated 5 times.