Hollins High School

Hollins High School, formerly known as Dixie M. Hollins High School, is a public secondary school located in St. Petersburg, Florida, United States. The school was opened in 1959 as a vocational school for grades 10–12, but it has since expanded to include 9th grade education. The school has just under 1,800 students.

Hollins High School
Address
4940 62nd St N

St. Petersburg
,
Florida
33709

United States
Coordinates27.81617°N 82.72097°W / 27.81617; -82.72097
Information
Former nameDixie M. Hollins High School (DHHS)
TypePublic high school
Established1959 (1959)
School districtPinellas County Schools
PrincipalRobert Florio[1]
Teaching staff96.00 (FTE)[2]
Grades9–12
Enrollment1,794 (2019-20)[2]
Student to teacher ratio18.69[2]
NicknameRoyals
Websitewww.pcsb.org/dixie-hs

Its graphic arts program, known as the Academy of Entertainment Arts (AEA), is designated as a center of excellence.[3] The school also offers a program in the culinary arts, which is also designated as a center of excellence.[4] The school also offers Cambridge/AICE curriculum, as well as a Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) program.

History

When Pinellas County separated from Hillsborough County and became its own entity in 1912, Dixie Martin Hollins was appointed as Superintendent of Pinellas County Schools;[1][5] he was about twenty-five years old. Hollins was considered progressive for his time, said the school's principal in 2020, Robert Florio, citing his advocacy of equality in education and hiring of graduates from historically black colleges and universities.[1] Hollins promoted the rights of black students to have certified teachers, to attend a full school day, and to attend school for more than just a few months per year. When Hollins High School opened its doors for the first time in the fall of 1959, it was named Northwest High School. Almost immediately the School Board decided to name the new high school after Dixie Hollins. His family owned and operated one of the largest ranches in the state in Citrus County from 1942 until 1992 when all but a small portion was sold upon the death of his son, Maurice L. Hollins. Dixie Hollins donated land for both Madeira Beach Elementary and Middle Schools. His estate continues to provide contributions to Dixie's music program.

In 1971, the school became national news when the campus became embroiled in a community protest against racial integration through forced busing.[6] The unrest had been building for several weeks.[7] When the school decided to ban the use of the Confederate flag, community groups began picketing the school. The unrest broke out into violence on October 12, 1971. When Florida schools mandated kindergarten, Dixie Hollins High School incorporated 9th grade into its curriculum. The school underwent extensive renovations in 1992–1996, adding a two-story science wing, a new media center and cafeteria, an art building, a music building, and upgrading the existing classrooms, the gymnasium, and the vocational wing.

Name and mascot

The school was named after Dixie Martin Hollins. Its original mascot, "the Rebel"—an aged, white-haired colonel[8]—was a play on the relationship between the term "Dixie" and the Confederate States.[9] In 1989, the Rebel was subjected to criticism as a racist symbol, but the student body at the time voted to keep the mascot unchanged.[8]

In 2020, a student group created a petition on Change.org that called for the school's name and mascot to be changed, citing the "Dixie"/Confederacy connection as well as the mascot's resemblance to a Confederate soldier.[10] Following the petition, the school's name was changed from Dixie Hollins High School to Hollins High School, and the "Rebels" moniker used for the school's athletic teams was changed to "Royals".[1][11]

Notable alumni

References
  1. Solochek, Jeffrey S. (August 31, 2020). "With a new name and mascot, Dixie Hollins High sheds 'racist undertones'". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
  2. "DIXIE M. HOLLINS HIGH SCHOOL". National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved June 2, 2021.
  3. "Graphics Art Academy at Dixie Hollins High School". Dixie-hs.pinellas.k12.fl.us. Retrieved March 23, 2014.
  4. "Dixie's Culinary Arts". Dixie-hs.pinellas.k12.fl.us. Retrieved March 23, 2014.
  5. "About Our School / DHHS History". Dixie Hollins High School. Retrieved June 18, 2020.
  6. Duryea, Bill (September 19, 1999). "The rage of a young white rebel". St. Petersburg Times. St. Petersburg Times. Retrieved March 23, 2014.
  7. "Mangin Bans Rebel Flag At Hollins". St. Petersburg Times. September 25, 1971. Retrieved March 23, 2014.
  8. Debenport, Ellen (November 6, 1989). "A new generation of racial discord?". Tampa Bay Times. St. Petersburg, Florida. p. 2A. Retrieved June 22, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. "Dixie Hollins High School". The Tampa Tribune. Tampa, Florida. June 2, 1991. p. 6. Retrieved June 22, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. Weathers, Saundra (July 17, 2020). "Students Start Petition For Dixie Hollins High School Name Change". Bay News 9. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
  11. Putnam, Bob (August 17, 2020). "Say Hello to the Hollins Royals". Prime Time Preps. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
  12. Topkin, Marc (April 16, 1994). "Marlins rookie lives a dream". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved March 4, 2020.
  13. "Elliott, Michele Irmiter, (born 7 Jan. 1946), Founder and Director, Kidscape Children's Charity, 1984–2009". WHO'S WHO & WHO WAS WHO. 2007. doi:10.1093/ww/9780199540884.013.U36925. ISBN 978-0-19-954088-4.
  14. "Tampa Bay Times from St. Petersburg, Florida on June 2, 1963 · 68". Newspapers.com.
  15. Wojciechowski, Gene (March 31, 1994). "College Basketball / NCAA Men's Final Four : Obscure Gators Feasting : Florida Storms Final Four Party Without Requisite Big-Name Players, Glitzy Reputation". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 4, 2020.
  16. "Nate Johnson Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
  17. "A Few Just the Ten of Us Articles From St. Petersburg Times". Sitcomsonline.com. February 18, 2008. Retrieved March 23, 2014.
  18. Basse, Craig (February 15, 1992). "Bruce A. Woyan, was pro wrestler". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved March 4, 2020.
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