Sickles High School

Walter L. Sickles High School
Address
7950 Gunn Highway Tampa , Florida 33626 United States
Information
Opened	1997
Principal	Jake Russell
Grades	9-12
Number of pupils	2,693
Color(s)	green, gray and white
Sports	Basketball, Tennis, Softball, Ice Hockey, Track & Field, Cross Country, Football, Wrestling, Band
Mascot	Gryphon
Website	[1]

Walter L. Sickles High School is a high school in Tampa, Florida which has a student body of over 3000 kids. It is under the direction of Jake Russell, the school's principal. Sickles High School opened in 1998 and has since become one of the top ranked schools in Florida.

Sports

The Gryphons have one of the best athletic departments in the whole country. The basketball team has won over four district titles in a row. This year the basketball team got an extra boost when they got John Henson. He is the third best basketball recruit in the country and is committed to UNC. ESPN The football team went to the state playoffs in 2007. The senior class of 2009 had the most wins in a two year span. The football team had 3 signees from this class. Quarterback Cullen O'Brien signed to Southwest Minnesota, a Division 2 school, Offensive/Defensive Lineman Taylor Drane signed to Franklin College, a Division 3 school and Linebacker Cody Durakovic signed to USF as a walk-on. The girls volleyball team has been really successful, as they have won 6 division titles and won 2 district championships in a row. The boys track team is ranked number 1 in the state according to flrunners.com with Derek Wehunt (signed to Florida) leading the state in the 800 meter run, top 3 in the mile, and leading in the 2 mile run and 4th in the nation in the 2 mile. Dan Wehunt is also number 3 in the state in the 800 meters. James Carl is top in the county in the pole vault going 14 ft. and the 4 by 4 team consisting of Zachaiah Cesani, Cullen O'Brien, Anthoneque Ferdinand, and Jeremiah Cesani runs 3:25, one of the top relays in the county and will particpate in the Florida relays. The Softball team won another District title in 2009 and had a pair of juniors, the "Goff" twins, sign to USF on scholarship.

Band

Sickles High School is home to three concert bands: Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, and Concert Band. The Wind Ensemble is the premiere performance group on campus. They perform advanced literature from the wind band repertoire. The Symphonic Band has become an emerging power as well with quality performances and expects to perform high level literature this year. The Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band, along with the newly formed Concert Band, perform many concerts throughout the year including the Sickles Winter Concert, Florida Bandmaster's Association Concert MPA, Spring Concert, Finale Concert and Sickles High School Graduation. The Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Bands have also performed on tour in Atlanta, Myrtle Beach, and New Orleans. Both the Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band earned straight superior ratings at their district MPA. Below is their MPA repertoire for 2008. The Wind Ensemble will represent Sickles at the Florida Bandmasters Association State Concert Band Music Performance Assessment for the first time in school history this year.

According to Principal Jake Russell, the "Wall of Sound" is the pride and joy of Sickles High School. Steadily growing since the school opened in 1997, "The Wall" continually strives to present fun and entertaining half-time performances for the Sickles High School football games.

In 2008, "The Wall" presented a show of American pride and history. Americana explored traditions as American as apple pie, such as baseball and jazz, as well as highlight the monumental efforts necessary to found and expand our great nation. Americana is not your typical patriotic salute, but rather a celebration of the history and folklore that has become an ingrained piece of the American culture.

Controversy

In 2009 Sickles High School played host to a controversy in which a student alleged that her vagina was featured in a yearbook photo. The student demanded that the yearbooks be confiscated and reprinted. CNN covered the story. It is not yet resolved at this time. Even though there is controversy, it should be noted that the sickles yearbook is award winning and the past editors went on to become world leaders. ESP: 2006. ALSO, sickles has really attractive class clowns

Grades

Sickles High School is currently a "A" school, and has been rated a 10/10 by Great Schools

Famous Alumni

Carleigh Mahaffey - Future ruler of the universe. Crazy hot teacher.

Bruce Bernard - Secret ambition is to be Lord of the Caribbean. Currently scheming to take over the high seas.

References

[2]