Parkersburg South High School

Parkersburg South High School has received many awards of excellence for academics. For many years, Parkersburg South has maintained its status as a WV School of Excellence, as well as being the only high school in Wood County to pass the "No Child Left Behind" criteria. In 1989, Parkersburg South was named a WV Exemplary School by the WV Board of Education. In 1992, Parkersburg South was named a Blue Ribbon School by the WV Department of Education.[2] Parkersburg South High School has also been very successful in academic extracurricular activities. PSHS was two time defending state champion in policy debate in 2004 and 2005. PSHS has also had great success with other forms of debate, such as parliamentary and Lincoln-Douglas, as well as with the Forensic Speech team. Both the Forensics, and Debate teams have produced state finalists and champions. Although student initiated, Parkersburg South has had great success with scientific research. Several students have represented PSHS at the International Science and Engineering fair in addition to having had two Science Talent Search finalists and had students rank with top honors at both the state and national level Junior Science and Humanities Symposium. It's through scientific endeavors that in 2007, a South student was selected for the Prudential Spirit of Community Award and in 2014, another student was highlighted nationally for the AXA Achievement Scholarship. PSHS consistently performs above state average on the West Virginia Educational Standards Test.[3]

Parkersburg South has its own student-run newspaper called the Continental Clarion. New editions are published every nine weeks.

Parkersburg South maintains very successful sporting programs and has had many all state athletes, individual state champions, including 3 time state wrestling champion Leroy Lyons 67- 0 and 22 team championships throughout its history. In 2008, Parkersburg, as a community, earned runner up in ESPN's Titletown competition, due to the overwhelming amount of state championships won by the city's three major high schools. Ever since its opening, Parkersburg South has experienced a fierce rivalry with cross-town school Parkersburg High School. The rivalry is recognized as one of the best in the state. Parkersburg South also boasts one of the loudest and rowdiest student sections in the state for basketball games. The students are dubbed as the "Southside Psychos". [4] Parkersburg South competes in the 5A division of the Ohio Valley Athletic Conference (OVAC), which is the largest organized high school athletic conference in the United States.

• Steve Swisher, former Major League Baseball player
• Jay Wolfe, U.S. Senate candidate
• Chase Fieler, professional basketball player

As one of the largest high schools in the state of West Virginia, Parkersburg South lacked a home stadium for many sporting events until a community effort begun in August 1993. Local businessman and philanthropist, Charlie Erickson spearheaded the effort with a contribution of 18 acres (73,000 m²) of land and $300,000. [5] The Erickson All-Sports Facility is managed by the EASF Development Corporation and is home to Parkersburg South football, soccer, tennis, and track. There are also plans to build a baseball field within the facility.

Instrumental department The Parkersburg South Patriot Band is an award-winning band. In recent years, the bands' awards have consisted of:

• Superior rating - 2007 WV Southern Regional Jazz Festival
• Superior rating - 2008 WV Southern Regional Jazz Festival (outstanding saxophone soloist - Cody McPherson)
• Superior rating - 2007 WV Region V Concert Band Festival
• Superior rating - 2008 WV Region V Concert Band Festival
• 2007 Williamstown Festival of Marching Bands - Runner-up Grand Champions
• 2007 Ripley Marching Band Vikingfest - Runner-up Grand Champions
• 2008 Oil and Gas Marching Band Competition - Runner-up Grand Champions in Parade, and Overall
• 2008 Sissonville Marching Band Invitational - Grand Champions
• 2008 Ripley Marching Band Vikingfest - 2nd Runner-up Grand Champions

The Instrumental department is under the direction of Mr. Eric Staats.

Choral department The Parkersburg South High School Choral Department has been creating musical excellence since the school’s inception in the fall of 1967. Eric Roth, a young music educator began building the choral program at Parkersburg South High School. The Patriot Chorus (now formally known as the Concert Choir) and the Women’s Chorus began performing for local and state events.

Following Eric Roth, directors Mr. Matheny and Bev Roney were instrumental in continuing to build a foundation of musical excellence. In the fall of 1974, Daniel B. Thomas created the Lords and Ladies of Parkersburg South High School: The Madrigal Singers. The Madrigal Singers became a popular group throughout the Mid-Ohio Valley and across the state of West Virginia. The Madrigal Singers presented Renaissance music at its highest quality by striving to recreate the time period through costuming and sound.

In the fall of 1997, Pamela McClain began the Chamber Ensemble to add another avenue of musicianship at Parkersburg South. With all three performing groups at Parkersburg South, the Choral Department had traveled throughout much of the eastern United States and Canada receiving superior marks from adjudicators and winning numerous awards. The Parkersburg South High School choral department remains very active throughout the school year and sings for various functions throughout the community.

In 2004, Ms. Melissa R. Life became the sixth director at the high school and has vowed to keep the tradition of musical excellence alive and well. In 2008, the Parkersburg South Choral Department now includes, along with the concert and chamber choirs, and the madrigal singers, a new freshman chorus (due to the integration of the 9th grade in the high school system), and a women's chorus, Bella Voce. In the spring, Ms. Life is preparing a men's chorus as well.

Awards received: 1997: Heritage Festivals Competition in Washington, D.C. (under the direction of Mrs. Pamela McClain)

• 1st Place, Gold Rating—Concert Choir
• 1st Place, Gold Rating—Madrigal Singers
• 1st Place, Gold Rating—Chamber Ensemble

1998: Performing Arts Consultants Festival: Myrtle Beach, SC (under the direction of Mrs. Pamela McClain)

• 1st Place, Gold Rating—Mixed Chorus
• 1st Place, Gold Rating—Madrigal Singers
• 2nd Place, Gold Rating—Chamber Ensemble

1999: Heritage Festivals Competition in Nashville, Tennessee (under the direction of Mrs. Pamela McClain)

• 1st Place, Gold Rating—Mixed Chorus
• 1st Place, Gold Rating—Chamber Ensemble
• 1st Place, Gold Rating—Madrigal Singers
• Adjudicators Award Trophies for Mixed Chorus and Chamber Ensemble
• Choral Sweepstakes Award Trophy

2001: Heritage Festival Competition in Toronto, Canada (under the direction of Mrs. Pamela McClain)

• 1st Place, Gold Rating—Mixed Chorus
• 1st Place, Gold Rating—Madrigal Singers
• 1st Place, Gold Rating—Chamber Ensemble
• Adjudicators Award Trophies for Mixed Chorus and Chamber Ensemble

2002: Heritage Festivals Competition in New York City, New York (under the direction of Mrs. Pamela McClain)

• 1st Place, Gold Rating—Chamber Ensemble
• 1st Place, Gold Rating—Madrigal Singers
• 2nd Place, Gold Rating—Mixed Chorus
• Adjudicators Award Trophies for Chamber Ensemble and Madrigal Singers

2003: Heritage Festivals Competition in Gatlinburg, Tennessee (under the direction of Mrs. Pamela McClain)

• 1st Place, Gold Rating—Chamber Ensemble
• 1st Place, Gold Rating—Madrigal Singers
• 1st Place, Gold Rating—Concert Choir
• Adjudicators Award Trophies for Chamber Ensemble and Concert Choir

2004: Heritage Festivals Competition in Washington, D.C. (under the direction of Mrs. Pamela McClain)

• 1st Place, Gold Rating—Chamber Ensemble
• 1st Place, Gold Rating—Madrigal Singers
• 1st Place, Gold Rating—Concert Choir
• Adjudicators Award Trophies for Chamber Ensemble and Concert Choir
• Choral Sweepstakes award trophy

2005: Heritage Festivals Competition in Chicago, Illinois (under the direction of Ms. Melissa R. Life)

• 1st Place, Gold Rating—Chamber Ensemble
• 1st Place, Gold Rating—Madrigal Singers
• 2nd Place, Gold Rating—Mixed Chorus

2005: Music in the Parks Competition in Sandusky, Ohio (under the direction of Ms. Melissa R. Life)

• 1st Place, Gold Rating—Concert Choir
• Adjudicators Award Trophy for having two perfect scores from the judges

2006: Heritage Festivals Competition in Toronto, Canada (under the direction of Ms. Melissa R. Life)

• 1st Place, Gold Rating—Mixed Chorus
• 1st Place, Gold Rating—Chamber Ensemble
• 1st Place, Gold Rating—Madrigal Singers
• Adjudicators Award Trophies for Chamber Ensemble and for Mixed Chorus
• Choral Sweepstakes Award Trophies

2007: Heritage Festivals Competition in Myrtle Beach, SC (under the direction of Ms. Melissa R. Life)

• 1st Place, Gold Rating—Concert Choir
• 1st Place, Gold Rating—Chamber Ensemble
• 1st Place, Gold Rating—Madrigal Singers
• Adjudicators Award Trophies for Chamber Ensemble and Madrigal Singers
• Choral Sweepstakes Award Trophies
• Spirit of Myrtle Beach Award

2008: West Virginia Music Educators Association High School Honors Group—Performed for WVMEA Conference - Wheeling, WV

2008: Heritage Festivals Competition in Atlanta, GA (under the direction of Ms. Melissa R. Life)

• 1st Place, Gold Rating—Chamber Ensemble
• 1st Place, Gold Rating—Madrigal Singers
• 1st Place, Gold Rating—Mixed Chorus
• Adjudicators Award Trophies for Chamber Ensemble and Mixed Chorus
• Choral Sweepstakes Award

2008: Music in the Parks Competition in Pittsburgh, PA (under the direction of Ms. Melissa R. Life)

• 1st Place, Gold Rating—Concert Choir
• 1st Place, Gold Rating—Chamber Ensemble

2009: Music in the Parks Competition in Cincinnati, OH (under the direction of Ms. Melissa R. Life)

• 1st Place, Gold Rating—Concert Choir
• 1st Place, Gold Rating—Chamber Ensemble
• 1st Place, Gold Rating—Bella Voce Women's Ensemble
• 1st Place, Gold Rating—Madrigal Singers
• Outstanding Choral Group Award for the Madrigal Singers

2010: Heritage Festivals Competition in Nashville, TN (under the direction of Ms. Melissa R. Life) TBA ---

2010: Music in the Parks Competition in Sandusky, OH *Cedar Point (under the direction of Ms. Melissa R. Life) TBA ---

• List of high schools in West Virginia
• Education in West Virginia

• The Parkersburg South High School web page.
• The Parkersburg South High School Online Newspaper.