- Pinecrest High School (PCHS) is a high school located in Southern Pines, North Carolina, USA. It is part of the Moore County School District, and was built in 1969.
- It offers many classes not offered at other Moore County Schools, including International Baccalaureate classes.
- It suffers heavily from overcrowding, and its student body size has nearly doubled from the 1969 school year to the 2009 year, with no increase in graduating class.
- History
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In 1969, the widespread attention of education was focused on Pinecrest High School as its doors opened for the first time. Located just west of Southern Pines, Pinecrest represents the consolidation of seven high schools in southern Moore County and the merger of three school administrative units.
- On September 3, 1969, the Pinecrest student body of about sixteen hundred gathered for the first time. Their day was not divided into the traditional six-period day. Instead, their computer schedules reflected the flexibility of twenty-one blocks of time called mods. They heard terms like team teaching, teacher assistants, media center, closed-circuit television instruction, and programmed instruction.
- Pinecrest's physical plant was tailored for flexible scheduling, large and small group instruction, and independent study. The large, open classrooms could accommodate four small classes at a time or one large group of as many as two hundred students. Traditional study halls were replaced with learning labs. In each building a vending area that provided hot and cold foods replaced the traditional school cafeteria.
- The Pinecrest curriculum offered eighty-three courses the first year as well as extra programs for both remediation and enrichment. Pinecrest offered a full range of traditional high school sports. The athletic program was headquartered on campus, but many athletic events utilized the facilities at the feeder schools. The band program was organized before the school was opened. The Marching Band began the first year with twenty-five members. The choral organized the following year.
- When the school opened, its physical plant consisted of three two-story classroom buildings. In the spring of 1974, the music program moved into the newly completed music building. The cafeteria, also located in that building, began serving "a la carte" and regular type A school lunches. In the fall of 1974, Pinecrest played its first homecoming game on its own athletic field. An ultra-modern gymnasium was opened in 1975.
- The school was dedicated on February 15, 1976. At that time, six and one-half years after it opened, the major facilities were completed. In addition to the classroom building, a music building, a cafeteria, a gymnasium and a football field, the plant included a baseball field, tennis courts, a student commons building, and paved parking areas.
- The school day was changed to a more traditional six-period day, and other changes soon followed as the school slowly returned to the traditional structure. Classes returned to a traditional size with larger instruction being offered as the need arose. Programs of instruction were greatly expanded with additions in the vocational and business departments. In the area of remediation, the program for the educable mentally handicapped was improved while programs for the multi-handicapped, educable/trainable, learning disabled, behaviorally and emotionally handicapped, visually and physically impaired were added. Title I Reading was added in 1978 and a Competency Remediation Lab followed passage of the North Carolina Competency requirement. Opportunities for the academically talented were also improved. Students were able to begin their college-bound English as freshmen. Since 1974, seniors have been able to take Advanced Placement English. The Mathematics Department offered the traditional courses in algebra and geometry as well as two courses in advanced math, and in 1973, it added Advanced Placement Calculus. In 1980, the Science Department expanded its college preparatory courses from five to six when it included Advanced Placement Biology. In 1981, the Social Studies Department expanded its program to include Advanced Placement American History. Through the Foreign Language Departments, students were given the opportunity to take four years of French or Spanish. German was added to the curriculum in 1980.
- In 1982, the school received a new administration whose emphasis centered on returning the school to a more traditional operating mode while retaining those unique aspects of the earlier years that had been successful. Increased attention was given to student pride, parental involvement, participation in extracurricular activities, community awareness, and continued academic excellence. Results were immediate and tangible. Soccer and swimming have been added to the athletic program while a new softball field and a practice field have been constructed. Currently, plans are to build a modern football field stadium. In the academic area, the school has been recognized twice as a North Carolina School of Excellence. An extensive curriculum review has been conducted and courses in data processing, computerized math, computer science, and computerized accounting have been added. In local competition such as Quiz Bowl, Moorehead nominations, and vocational contests, Pinecrest students have won more than 80% of the awards. Community support has continued to grow, as evidenced by the passage of the 1986 School Bond Referendum which provides a $2,500,000 for construction of a new auditorium as well as other money for facility improvement.
- The Pinecrest faculty, administration, staff, and community are committed to providing a quality education for all students, preparing them to emerge as informed and competent citizens ready to meet the challenges of the complex world in which they live.
- Pinecrest has been a part of quite a few curriculum and building changes and additions. Included in these are the following:
- The Tech Prep program, which began in 1988.
- The SIMS Program, which began in 1988-89.
- A computer lab in the Media Center, which began in 1990.
- A Teen Life Center and program, which began in 1990.
- The Peer Helpers group, which was organized in 1991-92.
- An awards system (Vision Program), which was initiated in 1991-92.
- The School-Within-a-School program, which was started in August 1992.
- Honors/AP courses, which are now in all the academic areas of the curriculum.
- IB Program 1998-2009
- Chamber Ensemble
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In the Spring semester of 2008 Pinecrest's very own Chamber Ensemble and Sotto Voce Women's Ensemble competed in the Festival of Gold in Chicago. They placed first in their divisions, thus holding the titles of the best choirs in the nation.
- In the Spring semester of 2009, Chamber Ensemble and Sotto Voce competed against each other, and twenty-three other choirs at the Festival of Gold Invitational in New York City. Chamber Ensemble placed first over all, defending their title. Sotto Voce took third, being the top Women's Ensemble in the competition, also beating out twenty-two other mixed voice choirs, a major accomplishment.
- Orchestra
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For members of the Pinecrest High School Orchestra, the trip to Washington, D.C.,was memorable in more ways than one.The orchestra not only won several awards at the Presidential Inaugural Heritage Festival held at George Mason University,but its members also attended the historic Inauguration of President Barack Obama.
- The Pinecrest orchestra was one of only two that achieved the gold ranking at the festival, which attracted high school bands, choruses and orchestras from across the country. In all, about 4,700 students participated in the festival last weekend.
- The showing at the festival is especially impressive, Leach said, because the Pinecrest orchestra is made up of strings only. Students play cello, violin, viola or bass. Many of the other orchestras competing at the festival were much bigger, and had percussion or woodwind sections, in addition to string sections. The only other orchestra to achieve a gold ranking was a full orchestra, far larger than Pinecrest.
- Buildings
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Pinecrest is composed of nine different buildings. Pinecrest's buildings 1-3 are the original buildings that were built in 1969. Building 4 is a more recent building that connects with the cafeteria and gym. Building 9, also referred to as the Freshman Academy (even though more than just freshman students use the building) is the newest building that was completed before the second semester of the 06-07 school year. Pinecrest has a Gymnasium along with a Field House that houses the Home and Visitors locker rooms for its athletic teams. The Butler building houses a room for PC's Exceptional Education program. The Auditorium is located on the west side of the school and houses the Band, Orchestra, and Chorus.
- Architecture
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Pinecrest High School has an outdoor/indoor design, with students having to traverse between outdoor classes, and some classrooms that are inside of hallways. Most buildings are two floors, except the 9th Grade Building, and the learning cottages. The courtyard is in the center of the school, and is where most students eat their lunch. Most of the buildings have direct access to the courtyard, excluding the gym, weight room, auditorium, the 9th grade building, and the learning cottages. Also, there are benches and picnic tables set up in the courtyard allowing students the ability to sit and enjoy their lunch.
- During the 2008-2009 school years, Pinecrest's aging outdoor wooden tables and benches were replaced with more durable plastic coated metal tables and benches.
- The Patriot
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The Patriot, Pinecrest's school paper, has been around since the founding of the school itself in 1969. As of 2007-08, the mentor in charge of the newspaper staff is Lorna Martin.
- Student parking
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Pinecrest High School is very strict concerning student parking. A student must be an 11th or 12th grader with a valid license to be able to get a parking pass for a fee of $50 USD. There are three designated student parking areas. Students can park there and only there. If they park anywhere else an SRO or a parking lot official has the authority to give the student a ticket which he/she must pay within seven days. They can also request that the students vehicle be towed at the student's expense. Students can appeal a parking ticket. Tardies, frequent absences, and/or inappropriate driving in the parking lot can revoke a student's right to have a parking spot.
- Annual events
- Spirit Week (Homecoming)
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Spirit week starts on the week of the homecoming game. During this week, students may participate in daily events (such as Wacky Tacky Day and Blast from the Past). Also, during Spirit Week, PCHS as well as multiple clubs (Cheerleading, German Club, Key Club, etc.) host their own events during Oktoberfest. Oktoberfest generally occurs one day before the homecoming game and two days prior to the homecoming dance.
- In 2007, the PCHS athletic department decided to add another event (a parade) to the lineup of others. The Homecoming Parade (as it is called) allows the athletes of the Football and Men's Soccer teams, Cheerleading, Marching Band and Drumline, as well as a handful of various floats designed for the event follow a circuit taking them around downtown Southern Pines. There is generally a good turnout of observers ranging from other students, parents, friends, local business owners, as well as fans of PCHS.
- In 2009, PCHS moved Oktoberfest to it's original month, October.
- Homecoming game
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In 2008, the Pinecrest High School football team defeated Hoke County High School 7-0.
- In 2009, Pinecrest High School defeated Western Harnett 27-6.
- Clubs
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Pinecrest is also known to be home of some of the most dynamic clubs in the county.
- The Pinecrest High School Step Team is also known as Omega Psi Rho.
- Pinecrest also has clubs such as M.A.C. (modern arts club), Backstage technical Theater club, International Thespian Society, Earth club, Art club, Debate team, Key club, Leo club, FCA, Interact Club, Take Back, Drill team, Orienteering, Spanish, French, and German clubs.
- Forensics
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Pinecrest is home to one of the most successful and fastest growing National Forensic League teams in the nation, the Pinecrest Speech and Debate Team. The team has seen extreme success in recent years in both local tournaments at area high schools and in national tournaments. The team competes in the National Forensic League and the National Catholic Forensic League. In 2008, seniors Leah Elliot and Katlin Christian claimed state championships in Extemporaneous Speaking and Student Congress. In 2009, senior Benjamin Berk claimed the state title in Student Congress, while sophomores Hunter Ocheltree and Kyle Ocheltree claimed the state title in Duo Interpretation.
- In June 2008, Pinecrest sent nine students to the NFL National Tournament in Las Vegas, Nevada. Debaters Meredith Potter and Caleb Frye became the first Public Forum team from North Carolina to ever claim a national championship. In January 2009, the team qualified 18 competitors for the NCFL National Tournament in Albany, New York. The team competes nationally at universities across the nation. In February 2009, the team traveled to the Harvard National Invitational, where the Public Forum team of Potter and Frye was narrowly defeated in the final round on a 3-2 judge vote. In June 2009, Potter and Frye will compete at the NFL National Tournament in Birmingham, Alabama in an attempt to defend their national title. Pinecrest has qualified ten students eligible to compete at the national tournament this year. Additionally, Meredith Potter is one of six finalists for the NFL National Student of the Year Award.
- The team is coached by Libby Carter, who was awarded the one diamond pendant at the 2008 NFL National Tournament. Libby Carter was profiled in the Rostrum Magazine in February 2007[1]. She is assisted by debate coach Robert Sheard. Both coaches are members of the National Forensic League Coaches' Circle of Champions.
- The team competes in events including Dramatic Interpretation, Humorous Interpretation, Duo Interpretation, Extemporaneous Speaking, Lincoln-Douglas Debate, Oral Interpretation, Original Oratory, Public Forum Debate and Student Congress. The team has also sent delegates to the Model United Nations simulation at Methodist University since it began in 2006. In 2007, Pinecrest sent two teams to the annual Wade Edwards Mock Trial Competition, one coached by local lawyer Bruce Cunningham and another by prosecutor and long-time debate supporter Tony Berk.
- In 2007, Pinecrest established the Moore County Middle School Debate League in order to give middle schoolers the ability to expand their horizons through participation in public speaking and debate. The team sent veteran students to many area middle schools in teach and assist them in research, speech-writing, and presentation. Pinecrest hosted the first ever Moore County Middle School Debate Tournament on November 17, 2007. Each summer, the Pinecrest Speech and Debate Team holds a week-long speech and debate camp for rising 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th grade students. The 2009 camp will be held the week of July 20-25.
- Team officers for the 2008-2009 school year are: Meredith Potter, President; Caleb Frye, Debate Captain; Ben Berk, Speech Captain; Matt Shuster, Student Congress Captain; Patrick Sazama, Treasurer; and Jenny Questell, Secretary. Team officers for the 2009-2010 school year are: Jenny Questell, President; Haden Quinlan, Debate Captain; Ben Denton, Speech Captain; and Joey Rasmus, Congress Captain.
- Athletics
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Pinecrest High school is a 4-A high school.
- The John Williams Athletic Complex which includes a lighted 4500 seat football/soccer stadium and an eight lane track.
- The John Williams Baseball Field which is lighted and seats 500. (The stadium is undergoing renovations for a larger seating capacity and new facilities).
- The James Moore Gymnasium is the home for basketball, volleyball and wrestling and seats 1400.
- The remainder of the athletic facilities includes a lighted softball field, which seats 250; a practice football field, a practice soccer field, a lighted ROTC practice area (turned into parking lot before the 07-08 school year), and six hard court tennis courts. There are also many trails that run through the woods behind the school. These trails are used by the cross country and track teams.
- Teams
- Chess
- Baseball
- Men's & Women's Basketball
- Men's and Women's Cross Country
- Football
- Men's and Women's Golf
- Men's and Women's Soccer
- Swimming
- Softball
- Men's and Women's Tennis
- Men's and Women's Track
- Volleyball
- Wrestling
- Men's Golf
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In 2008 the PCHS Men's Golf team won the 4A State Championship. Coming from a nine stroke deficit after the first round, the Patriots rallied to win by six. They defeated first round leader Providence as well as two time defending state champions Green Hope. This was the first ever championship by Men's Golf.
- Football
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After many years of losses and disappointments, the PCHS athletic department has done a complete 180. In 2008, for the first time in over 16 years, the football team defeated Richmond County High School. Ironically, that game was Richmond's homecoming game. Pinecrest finished that season 7-4 after winning only 8 games over the previous 6 years.
- Team Divisions
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Most of Pinecrest's sports teams have a Junior Varsity (JV) and a Varsity (V). Football, basketball, and baseball are the only teams that have a 9th grade team along with both JV and V teams. Near the middle of the JV season, most of the 9th grade team joins the JV team. The soccer team will have a second JV team during the 08/09 season. This team will play a full schedule alongside the regular JV and Varsity.
- External links
- http://www.pinecresthighschool.org/
- 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.
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