Emma Sansom High School
Encyclopedia
Emma Sansom High School (opened 1929 - closed 2006) was a high school
located in Gadsden, Alabama
. It was named for a young girl (Emma Sansom
) who was credited with helping General Nathan Bedford Forrest
to cross Black Creek in Gadsden, Alabama
and get his troops ahead of the Union troops thus stopping the impending attack upon Rome, Georgia
during the Civil War
.
, New Orleans Saints
football games as well as performing at the Viking football games, and events at the Talladega Superspeedway
race track and many other national events. Known as the "Greatest Band In Dixie" while under the leadership of Billy "Rip" Reagan. Additionally, the school had quite a history of sports achievement.
. Emma Sansom High School was converted into Emma Sansom Middle School beginning with the 2006/2007 academic year. General Forrest Middle School was moved to Emma Sansom High School and renamed Emma Sansom Middle School. Emma Sansom's band glory still lives on today. Emma Sansom Middle School (ESMS) Band is directed by Stacy Harris. The advanced band has over 100 members, made up of 7th and 8th graders. Drum Majors for 2010-2011 were Kaylee Lindsey, and Tory Beck. Current drum majors for 2011-2012 will be Jacob Dowdy and Savannah New. The school has beginning, advanced, and stage band classes. The marching band is the biggest middle school band in the Etowah County area. Often, much larger than area high school bands. The Gadsden City High school Band has taken on the glory as well, with a band of 260, GCHS band is one of the most well known in the state. The school offers many clubs and organizations, such as: Student Government, Quiz Bowl, Choral, Art, and many more. The school also offers A.P classes, such as Pre-Algebra. The school remains to this day an important part in the Gadsden City School system.
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
located in Gadsden, Alabama
Gadsden, Alabama
The city of Gadsden is the county seat of Etowah County in the U.S. state of Alabama, and it is located about 65 miles northeast of Birmingham, Alabama. It is the primary city of the Gadsden Metropolitan Statistical Area, which has a population of 103,459. Gadsden is closely associated with the...
. It was named for a young girl (Emma Sansom
Emma Sansom
Emma Sansom was an Alabama farmgirl noted for her bravery during the American Civil War.Sansom was a native of Social Circle, Georgia, and moved with her family to just outside Gadsden, Alabama, in about 1852....
) who was credited with helping General Nathan Bedford Forrest
Nathan Bedford Forrest
Nathan Bedford Forrest was a lieutenant general in the Confederate Army during the American Civil War. He is remembered both as a self-educated, innovative cavalry leader during the war and as a leading southern advocate in the postwar years...
to cross Black Creek in Gadsden, Alabama
Gadsden, Alabama
The city of Gadsden is the county seat of Etowah County in the U.S. state of Alabama, and it is located about 65 miles northeast of Birmingham, Alabama. It is the primary city of the Gadsden Metropolitan Statistical Area, which has a population of 103,459. Gadsden is closely associated with the...
and get his troops ahead of the Union troops thus stopping the impending attack upon Rome, Georgia
Rome, Georgia
Located in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, Rome is the largest city and the county seat of Floyd County, Georgia, United States. It is the principal city of the Rome, Georgia Metropolitan Statistical Area which encompasses all of Floyd County...
during the Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
.
Accomplishments
Emma Sansom High School distinguished itself as a school of champions and was the primary reason that the city government adopted the slogan "The City of Champions" for the city of Gadsden. The outstanding band, under the direction of Billy "Rip" Reagan, his son Steve Reagan, Boyd McKeown, Pat Morrow, Russ Waits and others (all former ESHS band members themselves) played for many events such as the Mardi GrasMardi Gras
The terms "Mardi Gras" , "Mardi Gras season", and "Carnival season", in English, refer to events of the Carnival celebrations, beginning on or after Epiphany and culminating on the day before Ash Wednesday...
, New Orleans Saints
New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League ....
football games as well as performing at the Viking football games, and events at the Talladega Superspeedway
Talladega Superspeedway
Talladega Superspeedway is a motorsports complex located north of Talladega, Alabama, United States. It is located on the former Anniston Air Force Base just outside the small city of Lincoln. It was constructed by International Speedway Corporation, a business controlled by the France Family, in...
race track and many other national events. Known as the "Greatest Band In Dixie" while under the leadership of Billy "Rip" Reagan. Additionally, the school had quite a history of sports achievement.
Closure
Emma Sansom High School was closed in 2006 when the Gadsden City Government decided to close all of the city high schools and create an All City High School now known as the Gadsden City High SchoolGadsden City High School
Gadsden City High School is a public high school, located in Gadsden, Alabama, United States serving approximately 1500 students in grades nine through twelve. The school is the only high school in the Gadsden City School System...
. Emma Sansom High School was converted into Emma Sansom Middle School beginning with the 2006/2007 academic year. General Forrest Middle School was moved to Emma Sansom High School and renamed Emma Sansom Middle School. Emma Sansom's band glory still lives on today. Emma Sansom Middle School (ESMS) Band is directed by Stacy Harris. The advanced band has over 100 members, made up of 7th and 8th graders. Drum Majors for 2010-2011 were Kaylee Lindsey, and Tory Beck. Current drum majors for 2011-2012 will be Jacob Dowdy and Savannah New. The school has beginning, advanced, and stage band classes. The marching band is the biggest middle school band in the Etowah County area. Often, much larger than area high school bands. The Gadsden City High school Band has taken on the glory as well, with a band of 260, GCHS band is one of the most well known in the state. The school offers many clubs and organizations, such as: Student Government, Quiz Bowl, Choral, Art, and many more. The school also offers A.P classes, such as Pre-Algebra. The school remains to this day an important part in the Gadsden City School system.