Buchholz High School
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F. W. Buchholz High School (more commonly Buchholz High School or BHS) is a high school in Gainesville, Florida. Buchholz is one of seven high schools in Alachua County. It is the largest of the public high schools in Gainesville. The mascot is the Bobcat. Buchholz is generally regarded as one of the best high schools in the country, as witnessed when Newsweek rated the school #112 out of the best 1300 high schools in the nation for 2008. [1] Their current principal is Vincent Perez.
In 2005, it had an enrollment of 2530 students, and 102 classroom teachers.
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[edit] Student Body
Buchholz contains two magnet programs, the Academy of Finance and the Academy of Entrepreneurship. As a result, the school contains a credit union known as the "Bobcat Branch," which is division of the Florida Credit Union, and operated by students in the Academy of Finance. The "Spirit Spot" is a retail outlet whose products are envisioned and marketed by the Academy of Entrepreneurship. The students hail from all over the city due to their county School Board's zoning laws, and represent the vast ethnic and religious diversity that is ever-present in Gainesville. A vast array of classes and activities are available to the student body from "Student Cabinet"(a student-run organization designed to involve students in the affairs of the school) to Advanced Placement courses. Buchholz is also known locally for its school spirit in all facets of student activity within the school. Students are able to enroll from grades 9 through 12
[edit] Clubs
The school's marching band, the "Golden Regiment," has received numerous awards and accolades. The group consistently receives superior ratings at marching events and has received straight superior ratings at its district marching festivals for the past 11 years. In November 2000, the Golden Regiment marched in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York and was the featured band performing live on NBC's "Today Show". In 2008, the "Golden Regiment" has progressed towards Florida State Championship for the first time in history, claiming 4th place trophy in 5A category on November 22nd. In 2009 the Buchholz Wind Symphony is set to perform at the prestigious Carnegie Hall in New York City as part the 2009 New York Wind Band Festival.
The Wind Symphony (the principal concert ensemble) performed at the College Band Directors National Association and National Band Association Southern Regional Conference in Atlanta, Georgia in February 2002. In December 2002, they were honored to perform at the Midwest Clinic, an International Band and Orchestra Conference in Chicago, Illinois. In 2006, the Wind Symphony was invited to the Grand National Adjudicators Invitational in Chattanooga, TN--The Wind Symphony was awarded Superior Scores from all adjudicators as well as the First Place "Honor Band" Award. The French Horns and the entire Woodwind Section were awarded "Outstanding Sections." Two students received "Outstanding Soloist" Awards. This was all accomplished under the direction of Paula Thornton and Vicki Nolan. The band is now under the direction of Alex Kaminsky.
Furthermore, Buchholz has clubs for every class division with the Seniors being the largest every year. Also Buchholz features its own chapter of Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT).
Buchholz has sent a Regional Scholar to compete at the prestigious Sunshine State Scholars state finals for three years running, from 2005 to 2008.
In addition, Buchholz features what is pound-for-pound the state's best Speech and Debate Team, fetching numerous local, regional, and national honors each year. This prestigious Speech and Debate Team has also accomplished a yet untouched feat in producing the school's first National Champion. In 2000, young student Jason Williams won the NCFL National Championship in Dramatic Interpretation, becoming the first student in Buchholz history to win such an award.
Buchholz's well known Mu Alpha Theta team is coached by Will Frazer, Jason Wiggins, and Ziwei Lu. The team has won 5 state championships and two national championships.
[edit] School Sports
Buchholz has teams in the following sports:
- Cross-Country
- Aviance Dance Team
- Track/Field
- Soccer
- Tennis
- Golf
- Basketball
- Football
- Swimming and Diving
- Lacrosse
- Cheerleading
- Baseball/Softball
- Volleyball
- Wrestling
- Weightlifting
Buchholz's Girls Volleyball won the 2007 6-A state girls volleyball title.
[edit] Notable alumni
Notable alumni include:
- Malcolm Gets, Actor, best known for his role as Richard in the American television sitcom Caroline in the City (1900-1999).
- Vernon Maxwell, former NBA player
- Lamar Thomas, former NFL wide receiver for the Miami Dolphins
- Doug Johnson, quarterback, signed by the Cleveland Browns
- Andrew Miller, MLB pitcher, First round pick in the 2006 MLB Draft to the Detroit Tigers
- Ken Block, lead vocals and acoustic guitar, Sister Hazel
- Pegeen Hanrahan, Mayor of Gainesville, Florida
- Allison Silverman, the head writer and executive producer for The Colbert Report
- Lisa Nicole Carson, television and film actress
- Kevin Bradshaw, NCAA basketball record-holder for points in a single-game
- B. Dan Berger, influential lobbyist in Washington, DC.
[edit] External links
- school website
- math team website
- school band website
- publicschoolreview.com
- Florida Student Association of Mathematics
- [2]
