James S. Rickards High School is a public high school in Tallahassee, Florida. It is a part of Leon County Schools.
Rickards has hosted an International Baccalaureate program since 1994, creating a culturally diverse mix of students and a varied ethnic focus. The school has many programs that demonstrate cultural diversity and equality, one of which focuses on traditional dance and clothes.
The school's mascot, originally the Rickards Redskins, was changed to the Rickards Raiders in 2000 because of controversy over the racial connotations of the term "redskin". The school colors are blue and gold.
Alumni Village, the designated Florida State University housing unit for FSU students with children, was zoned to Rickards High School prior to its closure.
Video James S. Rickards High School
School performance
In 2009, Rickards earned a "D" as its school performance grade, making it the second-lowest ranking high school in the district. This was lower than in 2008 and 2007, when the school had earned "C"s. In 2010, Rickards earned an "A" as its school performance grade for the first time. The celebration was accompanied by a pep rally.
Pangaea
James S. Rickards High School annually puts on a multicultural show called Pangaea. In previous years, the show has grown more and more successful. Taking advantage of the various talents and cultures at the school, Pangaea is a completely student-run event showcasing song, dance, and fashion from around the world. The show is accompanied by an international dinner, put on by the Model United Nations team.
Achievements in mathematics
The members of the Rickards Math Team have participated in national mathematics competitions such as the American Mathematics Competition, the American Invitational Mathematics Examination, the United States of America Mathematical Olympiad, the Princeton University Math Competition, the Harvard-MIT Math Tournament, and the American Regions Math League. Three members of Rickards' Math Team have served as the captains of the state math teams that competed at ARML, HMMT, and PUMaC. The Math Team has also produced multiple USAMO qualifiers and attendees to the Mathematical Olympiad Summer Program. They were the runners-up at the 2010 National Mu Alpha Theta Convention in Washington, D.C.
Band
James S. Rickards High has a marching band known for their high-stepping style, or "90 degree marching", with over 100 members including auxiliary. They performed at the Orange Bowl in Miami in 2007 and received thirteen trophies and three plaques, winning all first place awards in the AA division. Due to those awards, they performed during the pre-game events at the Orange Bowl. The band appeared as a cameo in the 2008 HBO movie Recount.
Maps James S. Rickards High School
Athletics
Other clubs
Rickards has a multitude of clubs and after school activities, including Model United Nations and National Junior Classical League teams. Other clubs include:
- Rickards Scientific Society (RSS)
- Peace Jam / Peace Alliance
- International Thespian Society / Drama Club
- National Junior Classical League (NJCL)
- Yearbook Club
- ITV Club
- Brain Bowl
- Junior Engineering Technical Society
- Chess Club
- National Honor Society
- Key Club
- Student Government Association
- Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA)
- French Club
- Greek Club
- Spanish Club
- Spanish National Honor Society
- Salsa Club
- Gospel Choir
- JROTC
- 21st Century (Before and After School program)
- Black History Brain Bowl
- Reading Raiders Book Club
- Art Club
- Photography Club
- Garden Club
- Science Olympiad
- Mu Alpha Theta
Notable alumni
- William Gay - professional football player with the Pittsburgh Steelers
- Burgess Owens (Class of 1969) - professional football player with the New York Jets and Oakland Raiders
- Kent Richardson - professional football player
- Kolby Smith - professional football player; running back with the Kansas City Chiefs
- Mallex Smith - professional baseball player with the Tampa Bay Rays
- stic.man - rapper, activist, and author; member of dead prez
- Travis Walker - International Boxing Association Heavyweight Champion
References
External links
- Official website
Source of the article : Wikipedia