- Baldwin High School (often called "BHS") is located at 155 Highway 49 West in Milledgeville, Georgia. The building, made of brown bricks on the exterior and an outdated brown trim on the interior, opened in 1988 as a combination of Milledgeville's two former high schools, Boddie High School and the original Baldwin High School. Baldwin is the only public high school in Baldwin County, and the largest of the three total high schools. The other two are private schools John Milledge Academy and Georgia Military College.
- Early Days
-
During the days of segregation, Boddie was the black school and Baldwin was the white school. To integrate the schools in 1975, many years after Brown vs. Board of Education, the main buildings of Baldwin became the high school, containing grades 10-12. Boddie became the junior high school, containing grades 8-9, with one of the buildings at Boddie called Sallie Davis Middle School, containing the grade 7.In 1988, Baldwin County built the current Baldwin High School and graduated its first class in June of 1989. The old Baldwin High School became Baldwin Middle School, and Boddie became Boddie Middle School. Around the year 2000, Baldwin Middle and Boddie Middle were closed, and were merged into Oak Hill Middle School, a short distance from Baldwin High. A new condo development called the Bellamy is being built at the old Baldwin Middle site, and an apartment complex known as Baldwin Heights is where the stadium used to be.
- The "New" School
-
Though Baldwin High is outdated compared to Baldwin County's middle school and four elementary schools, new areas have been added, such as a new 900 hallway and a new JROTC building. A Performing Arts Center, which will include a new auditorium, band room, and chorus room, is currently under construction, as is a new administrative suite. A new football stadium was completed just in time for the 2006 season. For all of the 2005 football season, the stadium had only one side of stands constructed. The stadium, called Braves Field after the football team, replaced the field at the old Baldwin High School. B.H.S. has a football team, a basketball team, a track team, a cross country team, a softball team, a soccer team, a swim team, and numerous others. Its marching band is the Band of the Braves, also called the Baldwin High School Marching Pride.
- Football Team
-
The sports teams at Baldwin High School are known as the Braves, with the football team being the most widely followed. Years and years ago, the Baldwin Braves were nothing for many other teams to worry about. But when the current coach, Jesse Hicks, arrived at the school, the team began to improve. During Hicks's first year as coach, the Braves went to the first round of the playoffs. The Braves have reached the playoffs every year since then. The Braves also hold a preseason scrimmage game against Wilkinson County High School. Every year since 2005 or earlier, the Braves have defeated Wilkinson County. The Braves won the Region Championship in 1963, 1983, 1986 and 2008. Former Braves football stars include Earnest Byner (East Carolina (80-83) and NFL (84-97)), Nick Harper (Fort Valley State and NFL (01-present)), and Leroy Hill (Clemson and NFL (05-present)).
- 2000
-
This was the first year the school had played in Class AAAAA. The head football coach was Daryl Silas. The class move did not favor Baldwin as they lost every game except one against Meadowcreek. The Braves played teams such as Wilkinson County, Northeast, Warner Robins, Hardaway, Carver(Columbus), Houston County, Westside, Northside, and Griffin.
- 2001
-
The 2001 season was probably the worst season of the decade. The Braves finished the season without winning a single game. However, they did tie the first game of the season with Wilkinson County. They continued to play the same teams from the year before. This was coach Daryl Silas' last year as coach. He was the coach for the 2000 and 2001 season.
- 2002
-
The 2002 season was the first season of current coach Jesse Hicks. Hicks led the Braves to the first round of the playoffs his first year as coach. This year,the school was moved back down to play in Class AAAA. The Braves played Wilkinson County, Jefferson County, Butler, Glenn Hills, Cross Creek, Lakeside, Evans; Burke County, and Jones County. The Braves only had 2 season losses to Statesboro and Thomson. In the first round of the playoffs, they played Griffin where they lost. They finished the season 8-3.
- 2003
-
In the 2003 season, the Braves were 7-3 at the end of the season. Their first loss was an unexpected 2 point loss to Butler. The next to losses where to Statesboro and Thomson. Baldwin has had a history of losing to both of these teams. The wins of the season came from Wilkinson County, Jefferson County, Glenn Hills, Cross Creek, Lakeside, Evans; Burke County, and Jones County. The Braves failed to make it to the playoffs because of its early season loss to Butler.
- 2004
-
In 2004 was the Braves least best season under current coach Jesse Hicks. Losing the first five games to Warner Robins, Northeast (Macon), Mary Persons, Jones County, and Statesboro, the Braves rebounded by winning the next six games against Effingham County, Greenbrier, Wayne County, Evans,Lakeside,Evans; and Northgate. Making it to the second round of the playoffs, the Braves lost to Ware County. They ended the season 6-6.
- 2005
-
The Braves won all of their home games and two of their away games ending the season with a 10-4 record. They also made it to the semifinals of the AAAA state playoffs, where they lost against Northside High School from Warner Robins. For the next two years there was somewhat of a rivalry between the Braves and the Northside Eagles. In 2005 the football team played Jones County High School, Northeast High School (Macon), Statesboro High School, Warner Robins High School, Lakeside High School, Greenbrier High School, Evans High School, Effingham County High School, Wayne County High School, Ware County High School, Upson-Lee, Mary Persons High School, and Marist.
- 2006
-
In 2006, the Braves' record was 10-2, a much better record than the one from 2005, but the team only made it to the second round of the playoffs, losing to Starr's Mill from Fayette County. The other loss was a second loss against Northside. This year the Braves played Jones County, Upson-Lee, Starr's Mill, Washington County, Jefferson County, Laney High School, Stockbridge, Dutchtown High School, Westside High School (Macon), Northside High School, North Clayton, and Americus-Sumter High School.
- 2007
-
The Braves went 8-2, not playing one of its games due to its cancellation. Again, their only regular-season loss was to Northside. However, they unexpectedly lost their first playoff game against Fayette County High School. In 2007, the Braves played all the teams they had played in 2006, excluding Starr's Mill and Americus-Sumter, and also played Fayette County.
- 2008
-
At the end of the 2007 season, the Baldwin Braves were moved down to Class AAA due to the GHSA reclassification. The Braves defeated the Glenn Hills Spartans in the season opener at Braves Field 21-0 on August 29, and defeated the Troup County Tigers at Callaway Stadium 9-7 on September 7. On September 12, the Braves defeated the Peach County Trojans in Fort Valley 13-3, despite a lackluster first half. On September 19, the Braves played Carver-Columbus, which was the #2-ranked team in AAA and the 2007 AAA state champions. Many predicted that the game would be intense and that Baldwin might lose. However, Baldwin not only won, but shut out Carver with a score of 22-0. After the game, Baldwin became a favorite for those predicting the 2008 AAA state champions. On September 26, the Braves shut out West Laurens High School in Dublin 34-0. On October 3, the Braves defeated Burke County 17-7. It was the Braves' Homecoming. On October 17, the Braves shut out the Richmond Hill Wildcats in Richmond Hill 38-0. The next Friday, October 24, the Braves shut out Liberty County 35-0 in Milledgeville. On Halloween night, the Braves defeated the Washington County Golden Hawks in Sandersville 14-12. On November 7, the Braves took on Thomson and dominated 21-7. This gave Baldwin its first undefeated regular season in football history. Baldwin then defeated Eagle's Landing in Milledgeville on November 14, 28-3 in the first round of the playoffs. Their second round game on November 21 was against Shaw High School from Columbus, Georgia, with Baldwin winning 29 to 19 by scoring two touchdowns in the last four and a half minutes of the game. It was a closer game than any other this season. On November 28, the Braves hosted the Flowery Branch Falcons, and after a back-and-forth game, the Falcons scored several times in the fourth quarter to win 35-17, ending the Braves' season.
- 2009
-
The 2009 Baldwin Braves football season started off with a scrimmage against the Wilkinson County Warriors in Irwinton on August 21. The score ended 7-0 with Baldwin in the lead before the game was called due to lightning in the middle of the third quarter. On August 28, the Braves traveled to Glenn Hills High School in Augusta where they defeated the Spartans 36-12. On September 4, the Braves played their first home game of the season, winning a well fought game 20-13 against Troup High School from Lagrange. On September 11, the Braves played the Peach Couunty Trojans. The game received much hype but at the end, the Trojans would go home with a 17-7 win against the Braves. On September 18, the Braves traveled to Columbus to play the Carver Tigers. For the second straight week, the game was seen as a game of the week. The Braves were able to hold close, but eventually lost to the Tigers 28-19 marking the first time in 5 years that the Braves have lost 2 straight season games. On September 25, the Braves played the West Laurens Raiders in Milledgeville. Rebounding from a 2 game losing streak, the Braves were able to defeat the Raiders 31-7 after scoring 28 unanswered points in the first half of the game. On October 2, the Braves traveled to Waynesboro to take on the Burke County Bears. The Bears were ranked #5 in Class AAA football and the Braves were unranked. The Braves surprisingly defeated the Bears 28-14, making the Braves region record 8-0. On October 16, the Braves played the Richmond Hill Wildcats at Braves Stadium. The Braves easily won their Homecoming with a 42-6 win over the Wildcats. On October 23, the Braves traveled to Hinesville to take on the Liberty County Panthers. The Braves came home with a 20-7 victory over the Panthers.
- (NJROTC) Naval Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps
-
Baldwin High School has a NJROTC unit that was established in 2000. It has a drill team, an academic team, a rifle team, and an orienteering team. The drill team is composed of two divisions: the Warrior Guard (males) and the Lady Bees (females). Baldwin High School Warrior Guards and Lady Bees have competed in many drill meets.
- Basketball Teams
-
The Braves have a long history of success in both boys' and girls' basketball.
- The boys won the AAAA State Championship in 1981.
- The girls won the AAAA State Championship in 1986, 1987, 1988.
- Former Braves basketball stars include Donald Hartry, Georgia (82-86) and Audra Smith, Virginia (88-92)Tasha Butts, Valerie Freeman, Lisa Webb College: Tennessee.
- Other Sports
-
Former Braves Track and Field stars include Celena Mondie (also 86 class president), Illinois (86-90), who won a gold medal at the 1995 World Championships in Athletics in the 4x100 relay. In 2008, the Bravettes Volleyball team won a region championship in region 3-AAA.
- Band of the Braves
-
The Baldwin High School Marching Pride, also called the Band of the Braves, is the school's award-winning marching band. The band has participated in the Toronto Santa Claus Parade, the Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade, the Atlanta Christmas Parade, the Hollywood Christmas Parade, the Chicago St. Patrick's Day Parade, and the Rose Bowl Parade. The band always marches in the Milledgeville Christmas Parade and the Mayoral Motorcade Parade at Central State Hospital. The director is Clint Raburn and the assistant directors are Courtney Pilgrim and Christie Woods. The band is the most populous organization in the school, with more members than any sports team, cheerleading team, or other group. Some believe that the band is the only reason that some spectators attend the football games, and indeed, there are countless band parents at every football game. The band is supported by a Band Booster group that is headed by and made up of band members' parents.
- 2000
-
Cuban Fire was the 2000 field show. Written by then-director Eldon Lundin, it was left for Raburn to use following Lundin's move to Jones County High School. A rivalry later sprang from the show. During the week of a Baldwin-Jones football game, Raburn would bring out a piece of music entitled Johnny's Mambo, which was a part of Cuban Fire. In a week's time, the band would be required to play this music from memory in front of the Jones County band and its director.
- 2001
-
The 2001 show was an arrangement of the Broadway show Les Miserables.
- 2002
-
The 2002 halftime show was called TV Land. This show was comprised several theme songs from classic television shows from the channel TV Land. The show included the themes to Bewitched, I Dream of Jeannie, The Brady Bunch, Green Acres, Hogan's Heroes, Barney Miller, and Sanford and Son. The closing piece was inspired by a telecast sign-off, and was a salute to America, including the use of a 20-foot American flag as a visual. Drum Majors for the 2002 season were Rina Yu and Lacey Cheramie.
- 2003
-
In 2003, the show was an arrangement of music from Broadway's The Lion King. Songs featured include Circle of Life, Hakuna Matata, The Lioness Hunt, He Lives in You, and a reprisal of The Circle of Life. Visual effects included two 30-foot giraffes, two life-size rhinos, and an 8-foot "Pride Rock" complete with lions - which were played by children of the directors. Drum Majors for the 2003 season were Laura McKinley and Rosally Lumansoc.
- 2004
-
The 2004 show was called Reflections of Earth and was based on the Walt Disney World spectacular of the same name. Selections from the show included Chaos, Meaning, and Home. This show has been referred to by many band members (even those who were not in high school in 2004) as "the incident." The show arguably contained some of the most difficult drill and music the band had ever attempted. This show was not well-received due to the relative obscurity of the music, and was not a good year for the band at competition. They did receive 3rd overall trophy on their class. Drum Majors for the 2004 season were Shella Lumansoc and Kizzette Byner.
- 2005
-
In 2005, the halftime show was called Spies Like Us, and included selections from 007, Impossible, and Austin Powers. The show was well-received by band members and viewers alike. The band attended two competitions that year, the Heart of Georgia in Warner Robins and the Sandy Creek Invitational Tournament of Bands near Peachtree City. At the Heart of Georgia, the band placed 4th overall, but fared worse at Sandy Creek. This year, the band marched in the Boscov's Thanksgiving Day Parade in Philadelphia. On that trip, the band visited numerous sights such as The Gallery at Market East, Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, the National Constitution Center, and New York City. The band also enjoyed Thanksgiving dinner on the yacht Royal Princess as it cruised New York Harbor. The band later marched in the Atlanta Christmas Parade in Atlanta, Georgia. The drum majors that year were Jon Carr and Whitney Stanley.
- 2006
-
In 2006, the show was called Caliente!, and was modeled after several DCI shows. It included Spanish themes El Toro Caliente, Concierto de Aranjuez, and Malagueña. The band's first competition was at Georgia Marble Marching Festival at Pickens County High School in Jasper, Georgia in the month of October. The Marching Pride finsished 3rd in their class. The drum majors placed third in their class and the spirit line went on to finish second in their class. The band also returned to the Heart of Georgia Competition in Warner Robins, Georgia a week later. The band placed 3rd in their class in all of the categories and went on to place 4th overall in the competition, except for the drum majors. Drum Majors Ashley Cummings and Hannah Stickland finished 2nd in their class. The band did not march in any widely-broadcasted parades that year because the Jazz Band was slated to visit the Bahamas in the coming March, but they did march in the local Milledgeville Christmas Parade.
- 2007
-
The 2007 show was called Funkadelic, and included selections from several 'funkadelic' songs from the 1960s and 70s, like Shaft, Give Up the Funk, Superstition, Papa Was a Rollin' Stone, Jungle Boogie, and three others. The audience reaction to this show was greater than to any other recent show the band has performed, including Spies Like Us mostly due to recognition of many of the songs performed. On September 29, the band performed at the Lake Lanier Tournament of Bands at Chestatee High School in Gainesville, Georgia. The band scored third in all categories in its class (except scoring second in Drum Major) and, out of the twenty bands present, placed sixth overall. The band performed next at a competition in Tallapoosa, GA on October 20, earning third in all categories except Drum Major. The Drum Majors received a very rare score of 99, winning first place in their class and the competition. The band returned to the Heart of Georgia on October 27, and performed their highest scoring show yet. The band placed in the top three in all categories not only in their class but in the entire competition. The drum majors won Grand Champion in their category and the band won first place overall for music performance. The band was also 1st runner up Grand Champion, something the band had never achieved before. The band also brags the only group to receive a standing ovation that night. The band was slated to return to Hollywood for the 2007 Christmas parade until it was cancelled on March 21, 2007. (Ironically, the parade was later revived, but consisted only of high school marching bands from California.) The band marched in the Santa Claus Parade in Toronto, Canada on November 18, 2007. It was the marching band's first appearance outside the U.S. The band visited sights such as the CN Tower, Niagara Falls, Casa Loma, Eaton Centre, and the Playdium. The drum majors this year were Hannah Strickland, David Bray, and Morgan Henry.
- 2008
-
On March 11, 2008, Band Director Clint Raburn announced to the Symphonic Band class (and to the Concert Band classes the next day) that the 2008 halftime show would be called Songs I've Heard. Weeks before, a survey had been conducted asking band members what songs they associated with their childhood. Michael Jackson's Thriller and the theme song to Fresh Prince of Bel-Air were two of the top songs mentioned in the survey. Raburn would collaborate with Oak Hill Middle School band director Terry Bragg, who arranges the band's music every year, to create a blend of the top songs gathered from the survey. But on April 9, Raburn announced that the show had changed. It was now entitled Dancing Generation. Thriller would still be the closer, but the show would now chronicle the different dance genres of twentieth century music, including swing, jazz, and disco, among others. Raburn and Bragg collaborated to arrange the music. The opener was read by the band classes shortly before the end of school on May 21, and is a medley of Sing Sing Sing and Sway. The ballad is a medley of Tennessee Waltz and Born to Hand Jive from the movie Grease. The drum break is Ice Ice Baby and the closer is Thriller and a combination of That's the Way and Shake Your Booty.
- The Drum Majors for the 2008 season are Morgan Henry, Chelsey Scoggins, and Precious Lango. The complete staff list was posted on the band's website on April 25, and band camp lasted from July 14 to July 25.
- On September 27, the Marching Pride attended the Bowdon Invitational Tournament of Bands at Bowdon High School in Bowdon, Georgia, a short distance south of Tallapoosa. The band earned the Norman Padgett Award for Music, which is essentially the same as 1st place in the music category, and won 1st runner up to Grand Champion, missing 1st place by .8. The band scored straight ones in every category and was the only band in open class.
- On October 3, Drum Major Chelsey Scoggins was named Baldwin High School's 2008 Homecoming Queen.
- The band traveled to Carrollton, GA on October 4 to participate in the Super Bowl of Sound. The band got straight superiors but did not place in any top three ranking. Two weeks later, on October 18, the band participated in the usual Heart of Georgia in Warner-Robins. The band placed third or second in everything in their class, and got 2nd runner up overall. The band would have placed higher if not for the presence of Fayette County, which won Grand Champion as it did in 2006.
- During the week of December 8-12, Baldwin competed against First Presbyterian Day School from Macon in the online Battle of the High School Bands on the website of one of Macon's local news newtworks, WMGT. In total, almost 180,000 votes were cast, and Baldwin won the $1,400 cash prize with 92,977 votes or about 52% of the total.
- As in 2006, the marching band did not go an a trip, because the Jazz Band was going on a trip. The Jazz Band enjoyed a successful cruise to Grand Cayman Island and Cozumel, Mexico, performing for a large audience onboard the Carnival Inspiration.
- 2009
-
The 2009 season will be the last season during which the band uses the existing band room. The new Fine Arts wing, which will contain a much larger band room, will open in March 2010, and the 2010 Marching Pride will use it that fall.
- The 2009-2010 Marching Pride will be going to Walt Disney World at the end of November, joining the BHS Choir on their annual trip to sing in the Candlelight Processional.
- The 2009 halftime show is called Gangsta Jazz!, and is original music composed in the style of 1920s and 1930s jazz. This show was ordered as a complete package, including music, drill, and choreography - the last show not written by Bragg was 2004's Reflections of Earth, which did not turn out well for the band. The Marching Pride read the music as early as March 2009, even though the seniors would not be returning that fall to play the music. Just as with Reflections, the music is extremely challenging, although Gangsta' Jazz! is, according to most band members, more enjoyable to play.
- The 2009-2010 Band Staff Leadership List was posted early April 25th displaying the Drum Majors being Precious Lango, Elizabeth Gooch, and Devante Battle. The list was originally supposed to be posted the night of April 24th, but was postponed to the 25th.
- On October 3, at the Southern Star Invitational in Snellville, GA, Baldwin received first place in the Gold Division in all categories except Woodwind, Brass, Music and Visual, in which the band placed second. The band received an overall superior rating and placed third in the competition.
- The Marching Pride attended the Georgia Contest of Champions in Commerce, GA on October 10. The band received overall superior ratings again and got 3rd place Best in Class Color Guard, 2nd place in Best in Class Percussion, and 1st place Best in Class Drum Majors. Drum Majors Precious Lango, Elizabeth Gooch, and Devante Battle won Grand Champion Drum Majors for the entire competition with a score of 195 out of 200. The band won 5th place overall in the competition.
- On October 24th, the band returned once again to the 12th Annual Heart of Georgia Invitational in Warner Robins, GA and competed against 29 other bands. The band performed the show in front of band almuni from the previous year and years earlier. The band received straight superiors in all categories and got an overall superior rating. They won third in all best in class awards. The band won 2nd Runner Up Grand Champion (or 3rd place) for the entire competition, losing to Houston County High School, who won Grand Champion, and Mill Creek High School, who took second. Despite receiving 3rd place last year at Heart of Georgia, the 3rd place victory was more rewarding this year among band members because the show was considerably harder than any past show, and because of the amount of energy and effort put forth by the band members. Each band member recieved a Pay Day candy bar from Director Clint Raburn after their performance.
- Cheerleading
-
They have a varsity football cheerleading team, a competition cheerleading team, a junior varsity basketball team, and a varsity basketball cheerleading squad. The squad dances to upbeat music and often takes popular songs and turns them into cheers. They have been known to rival with cheerleading teams from Wilkinson County High School, Westside High School, and Greenbriar High School.
- Ongoing Renovation
-
On September 18, 2007, voters in Baldwin County approved an action that will continue the SPLOST (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax). The SPLOST, a penny tax, has already funded several operations within the Board of Education, and will cover the complete, extensive upgrade of Baldwin High School. Phase I of the renovations includes the construction of the Fine Arts center and the new administrative office suite, in addition to minor additions, like three new classrooms and a new hallway to bypass the main offices. Phase II will begin after the completion of Phase I, and will include a new cafeteria, new computer labs, demolition of the current vocational building, and construction of a new vocational building nearby. The largest addition of Phase I, on which construction is ongoing, is the Fine Arts wing, which will include an enlarged band room, enlarged chorus room, art rooms, theater/auditorium with hydraulic orchestra pit, music theory and music ensemble rooms, and numerous other amenities. Band director Clint Raburn and Fine Arts Coordinator Mark Weaver met with the architects to say what they and other fine arts teachers in the school system thought should go into the building. Groundbreaking was slated for December 2007, but the initial blueprints did not meet Raburn and Weaver's specifications. The blueprints were approved at the May 13 meeting of the Board of Education, but those blueprints were missing vital internet and other electrical wires. The architect quickly redesigned the plans, adding those components. Soil testing was performed in late September, and groundbreaking for the Fine Arts wing occurred Thursday, December 11, 2008, the 20th anniversary of the original school's dedication in 1988. Construction on Phase I is ongoing and completion is planned for March 2010. An alumni concert, scheduled for early June 2010, will feature alumni of the band like Weaver, who plays clarinet, and notable saxophonist Otis Murphy, in addition to more recent graduates.
- 1.http://baldwinband.com . Baldwin Band of the Braves
- 2.http://www.baldwinfinearts.org . Baldwin High School New Improvements
- 3.http://unionrecorder.com/ . Union Recorder
- 4.http://www.leaguelineup.com/welcome.asp?url=baldwinbravesfootball . Baldwin Braves Football
- 5.http://baldwin.schooldesk.net/Default.aspx?alias=baldwin.schooldesk.net/bhs . Baldwin High School
- 6.http://baldwin.schooldesk.net/bhs/Sports/tabid/681/Default.aspx . Baldwin High Sports
- 7.http://news.mywebpal.com/index.cfm?pnpid=1039 . Baldwin Bulletin
- External links
- Baldwin County Schools
- Baldwin High School
- Band of the Braves
- Fine Arts Center
- BHS Theatre
- Source: Wikipedia; it is used under the GNU Free Documentation License. You may redistribute it, verbatim or modified, providing that you comply with the terms of the GFDL.
-
Add/edit information about this school (e.g., awards, news stories, notable alumni, fun facts)
|
Visit school website
View current housing listings in this area
Find your graduating class at Classmates.com
Review school: 
