Harding University High School
Harding University High School is located at 2001 Alleghany Street, in Charlotte, North Carolina. It was established as a Math, Science, and Technology school in 1992, and added an International Baccalaureate to its program in 1995.
Harding University High School | |
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Address | |
2001 Alleghany Street 28208 United States | |
Coordinates | 35°14′10″N 80°54′13″W |
Information | |
Former names | Harry P. Harding High School (1935–1961) Harding University High School (1961–Present) |
Type | Public |
Motto | Where Every Student Matters |
Established | 1935 |
School district | Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools |
CEEB code | 340670 |
Principal | Glenn L. Starnes |
Staff | 107.82 (FTE)[1] |
Number of students | 1,635 (2017–18)[1] |
Student to teacher ratio | 15.16[1] |
Color(s) | Maroon and gold |
Team name | Rams |
Rivals | Phillip O. Berry, West Mecklenburg, West Charlotte |
Website | www |
The motto of the school has changed several times. It is currently: "Where Every Student Matters."
Band of Gold
The Harding University High School Band of Gold, led by director Anthony Jones, made national coverage in January 2009 for their invitation to the 56th Inaugural Parade of President Barack Obama.[2] Harding's was the only band chosen from North Carolina to march in the parade. The 110 person marching band made headlines for the fifty thousand dollars needed to travel to Washington, but were initially unable to raise the funds. Supporters across North Carolina made contributions to the band including Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith, who donated $25,000.[3] Anthony S. Jones ended his twenty-year tenure as Director of Bands in 2015, moving on to serve as Director of Bands at Livingstone College.
History
Named after former superintendent Harry Patrick Harding, the school opened in the fall of 1935 under the name Harry P. Harding High School. It remained as that name until the school moved to its current location on Alleghany Street in 1961.[4]
The Dorothy Counts Controversy
Dorothy Counts was the first black student admitted to the Harry P. Harding High School in 1957. She was one of the four black students enrolled at various all-white schools in the district for the first time in American history. After four days of massive harassment that threatened her safety, her parents forced her to withdraw from the school.[5][6][7]
Notable alumni
- Walt Aikens, NFL cornerback
- Dorothy Counts, civil rights figure
- Ray Durham, MLB second baseman and 2x All-Star (1998, 2000)
- Jovaughn Gwyn, NFL offensive lineman
- Anthony Hamilton, singer, songwriter, and record producer
- Roy Hord Jr., NFL and American Football League player[8]
- David Joy, author and short-story writer[9]
- Ron Killings, professional wrestler in the WWE
- Dickie Noles, MLB pitcher and 1980 World Series champion[10]
- L. J. McCray, NFL safety
- Pug Pearman, offensive tackle and college football first team All-American for the Tennessee Volunteers[11]
- Gregory Richardson, college football coach
- Bobby Thompson, MLB outfielder[12]
References
- "Harding University High". National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved December 1, 2019.
- "Harding University High School : Harding's Marching Band of Gold Honored". Archived from the original on 2009-01-27. Retrieved 2009-02-13.
- http://www.charlotteobserver.com/panthers/story/469930.html%5B%5D
- Harding High School Collection Inventory, 1920s-2006. Robinson-Spangler Carolina Room, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library. Retrieved June 12, 2020.
- North Carolina History Project - Dorothy Counts
- The Civil Rights Revolution In Mecklenburg County by Dr. Dan L. Morrill - "It's up to you to keep her out," shouted Mrs. Warlick
- People threw rocks and screamed at her "Go back where you came from" Archived 2012-08-03 at archive.today
- "Roy Hord Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved 1 December 2018.
- Graff, Michael. (Jun 30, 2015). The Dark Thoughts of David Joy. Charlotte Magazine. Retrieved Sep 8, 2020.
- "Dickie Noles Statistics". The Baseball Cube. Retrieved 1 December 2018.
- William A. "Pug" Pearman Biography. Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame. Retrieved Dec 24, 2019.
- "Bobby Thompson Statistics". The Baseball Cube. Retrieved 1 December 2018.