Fuquay-Varina High School
Encyclopedia
Fuquay-Varina High School (FVHS) is a public high school in Fuquay-Varina
North Carolina
. It had an enrollment of 1831 students in grades 9-12, during the 2008-2009 academic year. The current principal is Edward McFarland, who took that position in 2006. FVHS was named a "School of Distinction" in 2003, 2004, and 2005, under the North Carolina ABCs of Public Education; in four of the last five years, it has been recognized as a "High Growth" school in the same program.
in the 1969, the all-white school at this location was called Fuquay Springs High School; the name change was made at the time of the merger with Fuquay Consolidated High School. During the three decades on the current campus, the enrollment of FVHS has more than doubled, reflecting growth in southern Wake County. Major campus expansion projects were completed in 1993 and 2001.
The recent "School of Distinction" ratings reflect a tradition of achievement. During the 1960s for example, the school music department distinguished itself in State Band Competition by winning five Superior Ratings four of which were in the Grade Six (most difficult) music category. The Director was James D. Page. During this period, the school was also distinguished at the state level in dramatic arts and academics.
, and competes at the 4A level, which is the highest classification, based on enrollment. The athletic teams, nicknamed the "Bengals" (short for Bengal Tigers) wear Tennessee orange, white, and black.
Traditional rivals include Clayton High School, Harnett Central High School, Apex High School
, and Cary High School
, while newer rivalries with Middle Creek High School
(which opened in 2002) and Holly Springs High School (which opened in 2007) are likely to eventually become more important. FVHS competes in the Tri-Nine 4A conference, along with Apex, Cary, Holly Springs, Middle Creek, Athens Drive High School, Green Hope High School, Lee Senior High School, and Panther Creek High School.
Fuquay-Varina was a 2A football power in the 1970s and 1980s, under long-time head coach Graham Myrick. The 1985 Bengal football team played in the 2A state championship game, and won a school-record 14 games. After moving up to the 3A classification in 1993, FVHS won four consecutive conference championships in football under coach Philip Howard. After this time, FVHS went nine years without a winning season in football. In 2004, veteran coach David Riggs took over the program; as a young coach, Riggs had led Raleigh's Broughton High School to a state championship in 1970. . Riggs' Bengal teams won at least a share of the Tri-Eight championship for three consecutive seasons, with records of 7-6, 11-3, and 11-2. Following Riggs' retirement after the 2007 season, Ryan Habich was promoted to head coach; in his first season, Habich led the Bengals to an 11-2 record, and the #1 seed in the 4A East playoffs.
While the football team draws the largest crowds, other FVHS teams have also enjoyed great success. Under Milton Senter, one of the most winning coaches in NCHSAA history with over 500 victories, the baseball team has won numerous conference championships, as well as the 2002 state 4A championship. Other FVHS athletic teams that have won state titles in the last fifteen years include the men's golf team (3A, in 1997), women's cross-country team (3A, in 1996), and the wrestling team (3A, in 2000 and 2001).
Fuquay-Varina High School is known among the area for its large crowds and lively atmosphere, particularly during varsity football games. The "Orange Crush", the name of the school's student section, was one of the the first of its kind in the area. The "OC", as it is also known as today was founded by former student-athlete Trevor Smith in the fall of 2003 just before the start of the basketball season. Originally, the plan was to start a student section at the games to create an exciting atmosphere. That season the FVHS Varsity basketball team went undefeated at home while winning just one road game. The original shirts were all printed on campus by Trevor in a screen-printing class and distributed to fellow classmates. They were a slight variation of the shirts today. At the time, students were encouraged to put there graduating class on the back of the shirt as well as a last name or nickname. Their shirts today, which bear the name and a paw print in the middle, can be commonly seen among the town, worn not only by high school students but many other residents, as the culture has become an iconic part of the town.
Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina
Fuquay-Varina is a town in Wake County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 7,898 at the 2000 census. In 2009, the population was estimated to be 17,910. The town is a 30-minute drive south of Raleigh, the capital of North Carolina...
North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
. It had an enrollment of 1831 students in grades 9-12, during the 2008-2009 academic year. The current principal is Edward McFarland, who took that position in 2006. FVHS was named a "School of Distinction" in 2003, 2004, and 2005, under the North Carolina ABCs of Public Education; in four of the last five years, it has been recognized as a "High Growth" school in the same program.
History
The present Fuquay-Varina High School campus opened in 1975; the former campus, built in 1925, has since been used as Fuquay-Varina Middle School. Prior to racial integrationRacial integration
Racial integration, or simply integration includes desegregation . In addition to desegregation, integration includes goals such as leveling barriers to association, creating equal opportunity regardless of race, and the development of a culture that draws on diverse traditions, rather than merely...
in the 1969, the all-white school at this location was called Fuquay Springs High School; the name change was made at the time of the merger with Fuquay Consolidated High School. During the three decades on the current campus, the enrollment of FVHS has more than doubled, reflecting growth in southern Wake County. Major campus expansion projects were completed in 1993 and 2001.
The recent "School of Distinction" ratings reflect a tradition of achievement. During the 1960s for example, the school music department distinguished itself in State Band Competition by winning five Superior Ratings four of which were in the Grade Six (most difficult) music category. The Director was James D. Page. During this period, the school was also distinguished at the state level in dramatic arts and academics.
Athletics
Fuquay-Varina High School is a member of the North Carolina High School Athletic AssociationNorth Carolina High School Athletic Association
The North Carolina High School Athletic Association is the governing organization of high school athletics in North Carolina, United States. The association maintains the official rule books and governs the officiating standards across the state....
, and competes at the 4A level, which is the highest classification, based on enrollment. The athletic teams, nicknamed the "Bengals" (short for Bengal Tigers) wear Tennessee orange, white, and black.
Traditional rivals include Clayton High School, Harnett Central High School, Apex High School
Apex High School
Apex High School is located in Apex, North Carolina in the United States. It is part of the Wake County Public School System and is on a 4x4 Block Schedule.- Athletics :Apex High School fields varsity teams for the following sports:...
, and Cary High School
Cary High School
-History:Cary High School, one of three high schools in Cary, North Carolina, was established in1896 as the first public high school in North Carolina. The school was originally located in downtown Cary on Academy Street, until it moved to its current location in 1960...
, while newer rivalries with Middle Creek High School
Middle Creek High School
Middle Creek High School is at 123 Middle Creek Park Avenue Cary, North Carolina, with a mailing address of Apex. It opened in the fall of 2002 as the seventeenth high school in the Wake County Public School System. The school opened with ninth and tenth grades and by 2004 - 2005 had four grade...
(which opened in 2002) and Holly Springs High School (which opened in 2007) are likely to eventually become more important. FVHS competes in the Tri-Nine 4A conference, along with Apex, Cary, Holly Springs, Middle Creek, Athens Drive High School, Green Hope High School, Lee Senior High School, and Panther Creek High School.
Fuquay-Varina was a 2A football power in the 1970s and 1980s, under long-time head coach Graham Myrick. The 1985 Bengal football team played in the 2A state championship game, and won a school-record 14 games. After moving up to the 3A classification in 1993, FVHS won four consecutive conference championships in football under coach Philip Howard. After this time, FVHS went nine years without a winning season in football. In 2004, veteran coach David Riggs took over the program; as a young coach, Riggs had led Raleigh's Broughton High School to a state championship in 1970. . Riggs' Bengal teams won at least a share of the Tri-Eight championship for three consecutive seasons, with records of 7-6, 11-3, and 11-2. Following Riggs' retirement after the 2007 season, Ryan Habich was promoted to head coach; in his first season, Habich led the Bengals to an 11-2 record, and the #1 seed in the 4A East playoffs.
While the football team draws the largest crowds, other FVHS teams have also enjoyed great success. Under Milton Senter, one of the most winning coaches in NCHSAA history with over 500 victories, the baseball team has won numerous conference championships, as well as the 2002 state 4A championship. Other FVHS athletic teams that have won state titles in the last fifteen years include the men's golf team (3A, in 1997), women's cross-country team (3A, in 1996), and the wrestling team (3A, in 2000 and 2001).
Fuquay-Varina High School is known among the area for its large crowds and lively atmosphere, particularly during varsity football games. The "Orange Crush", the name of the school's student section, was one of the the first of its kind in the area. The "OC", as it is also known as today was founded by former student-athlete Trevor Smith in the fall of 2003 just before the start of the basketball season. Originally, the plan was to start a student section at the games to create an exciting atmosphere. That season the FVHS Varsity basketball team went undefeated at home while winning just one road game. The original shirts were all printed on campus by Trevor in a screen-printing class and distributed to fellow classmates. They were a slight variation of the shirts today. At the time, students were encouraged to put there graduating class on the back of the shirt as well as a last name or nickname. Their shirts today, which bear the name and a paw print in the middle, can be commonly seen among the town, worn not only by high school students but many other residents, as the culture has become an iconic part of the town.
Sources
- School web http://fvhs.wcpss.net/
- Wake County Public School System (http://www.wcpss.net/school-directory/428.html)
- Wake County Public School System (http://www.wcpss.net/school-directory/results/abcs-428.html)
- NCHSAA conferences (http://www.nchsaa.org/page.php?mode=privateview&pageID=23)
- NCHSAA baseball champions (http://www.nchsaa.org/intranet/downloadManagerControl.php?mode=getFile&elementID=5871&type=5&atomID=7180)
- NCHSAA women's golf champions (http://www.nchsaa.org/intranet/downloadManagerControl.php?mode=getFile&elementID=5207&type=5&atomID=6534)
- Football results (http://gobiggreen.net/2007%20NC/4A%20Conferences/Tri-Seven%204A.htm)
- More football results from (Raleigh) News & Observer archives, available to subscribers only